God’s Got This, December 16
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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By Karen Tripp
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:1-2 NIV).
And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route (Matthew 2:12 NIV).
How’s your cancer walk going? Now, that’s a complicated question, and yet you might have plenty of people ready to share their opinion on it (which may have little connection to what you are actually experiencing). Then there is your medical team, who always seem to give you feedback using numbers. Somehow, these numbers never give the whole picture. So, maybe you begin to look for more opinions—in not the best places.
It sure would be helpful to have someone who really knew what was happening on your cancer walk. I’m thinking that on the first Christmas the wise men would have loved a little certainty that they were on the correct path. Scripture introduces us to the wise men near the end of their journey.
Since these are “wise” men, odds are good that they had read up on the hundreds of prophesies about the coming of the King of Kings and figured out that there was going to be a star to show them the way. Pretty smart guys. The star shows up and the wise men head out. But the path the star took them on was through desert, mountains, and barrenness. I would not be surprised if there came a time where they started to doubt the wisdom of their “Let’s go follow a star” idea.
When they got to Jerusalem, they looked for an outside opinion of how their trek was going, and asked around for directions. Turns out this was not their greatest decision, because it got the attention of an evil king—King Herod. In a dream, God told them to ignore what that evil king had said to them.
Looking for opinions about your journey can be exhausting. The good news is, God doesn’t have an opinion about your cancer walk. God KNOWS. He knows each test result and every cancer cell, but above all He knows that nothing will take you, His treasure and His delight, from the love of His mighty arms.
Read these beautiful verses from Psalm 139:1-6 (NIV):
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
I am in awe, not just of how completely He knows me, but of how He gives His all-knowing view to guide me. How does He guide me? By being the light in the darkness. Just when you think the darkness of cancer, the fatigue, the uncertainty, or the tension will overwhelm you, remember to look towards Jesus. He is light and makes the night shine like the day. If God can send a star to lead the wise men to the manger, He will certainly lead you, His beloved.
Pray: Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that You know me, that You have searched me, and that I can live each day in certainty of Your abundant love for me. Remind me in the hard times that Your light has made the dark nights of cancer shine like day. I am not certain of what will happen next, but I am certain of You. I place my every step into Your almighty light. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Your Turn: Think of the ways Jesus has been there for you and guided you out of the darkness as you listen to the words of "You are the Light" by Ovation Worship.
Karen Tripp, MS, LMFT, Cancer Caregiver
Karen is the Executive Director of Cancer Companions, the premiere national Christian cancer ministry (https://www.cancercompanion.org). Her roles have included authoring several Christian books including God is Bigger Than Your Cancer and working as a licensed marriage and family therapist. She is a daughter of a colon cancer survivor. Karen uses her experience to teach how to step into another person’s struggle to help build their faith while strengthening your own.
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.
