Feeling Great in Terrible Times, November 8
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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By David Gira
[God] alone is my safe place. His wraparound presence always protects me as my champion defender. There’s no risk of failure with God! So why would I let worry paralyze me, even when troubles multiply around me? (Psalm 62:5-6 TPT)
I asked a friend battling cancer how she was doing. Her response surprised me: "My scans look terrible, but I feel great!" Despite progression of the disease, she remained energetic and positive. She inspired me. How is it possible to feel great in terrible situations?
The Bible provides countless examples of people facing awful circumstances while remaining optimistic and joyful. In Psalm 62, the psalmist David describes his situation. Enemies want him dead and make vicious threats to take him down. “Troubles multiply around me" (Psalm 62:6 TPT).
Nonetheless, David remains faithful and positive. Our cancer situation may be life-threatening and terrible, with troubles multiplying. Yet, in this psalm, we see a few things we can do to stay positive:
1) Listen to God. “I stand silently to listen for the one I love” (v. 1a). David listens for the sound of rescuing help on the way. He also listens to himself praying and praising God for His proven faithfulness in the past. Sometimes we need to preach to ourselves. At the end of the psalm, David hears God say to him, “All the power you need flows from me. All the love you need is found in me” (vv. 11-12).
After my cancer diagnosis, I soon realized my strength was no match for cancer’s demands. One morning I reflected on Peter and John’s healing of a cripple in Acts 3:6-9. When the two apostles prayed for his healing, "power surged” to his ankles and feet, and he got up and walked! (Acts 3:7 TPT) The thought of God’s power surging in me gave me great hope.
2) Wait patiently. The psalmist says, I am "waiting as long as it takes for the Lord to rescue me" (v. 1b). Sometimes the answer to our prayer isn’t “no”; it is “not yet.” Twice the psalmist proclaims that he will wait as long as it takes. For our instant, on-demand culture, perseverance is hard. Realistically, sometimes we wait weeks, years, or even a lifetime. But God will come for you.
3) Don't worry. The psalmist proclaims, “There’s no risk of failure with God! So why would I let worry paralyze me, even when troubles multiply around me?” (v. 6b) In light of the greatness of our God, we need not worry.
I am reminded of a favorite verse of many: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).
4) Trust in God. David can wait patiently and not be anxious because he trusts God will show up. He can pour out his heart because he trusts God is listening. And David listens for God, trusting God will speak and help him. Everything hinges on trusting God.
Your cancer troubles may be great, but God remains greater. With faith, and these practices, even when things are bad, you can feel great!
Pray: Lord, when cancer’s troubles multiply, increase my faith even more. When something is terrible, impress upon me Your unmatched greatness. Enable me to feel great, full of faith and joy, no matter what. Amen!
Your Turn: Listen to Bryan and Katie Torwalt’s “I Will Trust You.” Ask God to increase your trust in Him. Thank Him for His faithfulness.
Michael David Gira, Jr., Cancer Survivor
David was an ordained United Methodist Pastor and graduate of Duke Divinity School. He and his wife, Amy, lived in Raleigh, North Carolina with their three children. In 2017 he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. In his book, How Cancer Cured Me, he shares many ways he experienced God’s healing. After a seven-year battle with cancer, David is now joyously singing praises in God’s glorious throne room. His legacy lives on through his writing for Cancer Companions, as he continues to proclaim Christ’s hope and healing power to others experiencing cancer. https://www.davidgira.com/how-cancer-cured-me
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
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