God Has Plans for You Cancer Cannot Stop, December 3
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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By Dominique McLin
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you” (Jeremiah 29:11-12 NIV).
It was a beautiful December day in the Midwest. December is a month of celebration, love, family, laughter, and good food. My husband and I had just come back from a family cruise, a great way to kick off the holiday season. I remember him telling me he was going to the doctor to refill his hypertension medication—a routine visit, no big deal, right? I was working from home as usual, no concerns or worries—just thinking of Christmas presents, dinner, and family time coming up. That’s when my husband tells me his doctor’s office wants him to come in again in the morning, and to bring his wife. Bring your wife? Who says that? Certainly, that cannot be good. I look at my husband. He looks good. No, really, he is what some would call “easy on the eyes.” He is strong, standing tall and has no signs of being sick. So, you can only imagine our shock when the doctor said he believed my husband had cancer in his kidney and needed to be seen by an oncologist immediately.
All of our plans for the holidays jumped to the back seat, as new plans for tests, treatments, and scans filled our calendar. Any discussions for long term plans, whether it be job changes or vacations, were put on hold. Who knew what life would look like by March, May, or even a year from now? God knew.
My friend, cancer may have surprised you as it did my husband and me, but it was not a surprise to God. God knew there was cancer in my husband’s kidney as surely as He knew the plans He had made for him and me. Can you see in today’s verses that God has plans for you? Do you think that cancer can stop the plans God has for you? Absolutely not!
Looking back, my husband and I have always known we would work together in ministry to tell others of God’s love and salvation and give Him glory. However, we did not know what our ministry would be. Fast forward to today—we are Cancer Companions, sharing the Word and walking alongside other cancer patients and their caregivers during their cancer journeys. Looking back, we can see the beauty of God’s plan in using our cancer struggle for His glory.
However, those plans were hard to see when we were surrounded by cancer. When it is hard to see that God has a plan, remember today’s verses: “… call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.” Go to God in prayer, and call on Him. Then, wait on Him to reveal the good plans He has for you.
Pray: I am calling on You, God, to fill me with trust in Your plan for me and to show me each step through cancer and beyond. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.
Your Turn: Look back at a difficult time in your past. Can you see how God used it in His good plan for you?
Dominique McLin, Cancer Caregiver
Dominique has walked alongside her husband, mom, and dad during their respective cancer journeys all while working in a demanding position with a major healthcare company. Dominique and her husband Elvin live in Ellisville, Missouri and are blessed with five adult children and five grandchildren. Dominique and Elvin received support from the Cancer Companions ministry and consider it an honor to be able to give back to the ministry and provide support to others diagnosed with cancer.
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.
To learn more about our ministry and the services we provide visit our website by clicking here.
