His Hand in Mine, October 5
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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By Linda Tripp
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you (Isaiah 41:13 NIV).
I expect that most people have something about themselves that helps them feel more comfortable or in control of situations in their lives. For me, that one thing has always been my brain. If I could just get enough information about something and think I understood it and had a good plan, I felt like everything would be ok. If not, I would feel on shaky ground.
So, when we began to treat my triple-negative breast cancer with aggressive chemo and I learned about “chemo brain,” it was definitely scary news to me. Before cancer, I had trusted Jesus during hard times—but I generally had my mind clear to help me. I knew it would be harder for me to place my cancer in the Lord’s hands if this “chemo brain” thing made it harder for me to think. What if He was going to allow something that I depended on to be taken away from me?
But God wasn’t done with me. As I rested in my recliner after treatments, I would pick up devotional readings from one place or another. I had developed a fuzzy brain, but even I began to notice that the theme of God’s hand in mine kept showing up. About the fifth time I read it, I started getting the hint: Jesus really wanted me to listen to this idea! He wanted me to experience His hand in mine and to trust Him with ALL that I was experiencing—even my fear of losing control.
One reading suggested that I hold out my hand and visualize Jesus’ hand in mine. I started doing this in the chemo chair, when trying to figure out insurance issues, or whenever I felt on shaky ground. I’d remember that Jesus really was with me, through His Holy Spirit, and that He would help me through each thing that I faced.
After the treatments were over, boy was I ready to have those fuzzy thoughts clear up and to feel more on top of things again. One evening, months later, I was making an easy dinner with spaghetti boiling, meat sauce in a skillet, and garlic bread in the oven. All of a sudden, I felt like I couldn’t manage all three things at once. Yikes! When would this chemo brain ever end? Could I still live with it, for as long as I needed to? Time to open my hand to the Lord’s again, and to trust Him with any outcome.
Over time, my fuzzy brain did clear up, and it felt so good to think more easily again. But I don’t rely on it the same way as I did before cancer. I learned that no matter what happens, good or bad, I am challenged to trust God’s loving, strong, sure hand to take mine in His, and to lead me through.
Pray: Lord Jesus, You know the things that I hold onto for my security, rather than resting in Your holy control over all things in my life. Please, help me to know Your loving hand is always open towards me. Help me to hold tight to Your presence and provision in my life. Thank You for Your peace, a peace that neither my own strength nor the world can give. Amen.
Your Turn: What do you rely on to feel you are on solid ground? Ability to work? Connections with people? Skills and abilities? Hold out your open hand and visualize His strong hand in yours, ready to help you in ways that you cannot imagine.
Linda Tripp, Cancer Survivor
Linda is a retired 7th grade math teacher and breast cancer survivor. She and her husband, Michael, live in Dayton, Ohio, and are blessed to enjoy three grown children, their spouses, and six grandchildren. Linda received support from the Cancer Companions ministry during her cancer experience, and is happy to participate in it now so more people’s lives can be touched by His Word through their cancer journey.
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.
