Identity, March 9
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by Karen Wonders
“You are altogether beautiful” (Song of Solomon 4:7 NIV).
When Jill first came to work with us at Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, she had just been diagnosed and was literally days out of breast cancer surgery. At her initial appointment, she sat in our office and cried and cried. She was still trying to navigate this new journey she was on. We sat with Jill and listened to her as she vented through all the anger, frustration, and anxiety she was feeling.
Sometimes, all you need is for someone to hear you.... Other times, all you need is a good hair day.
You see, one of Jill's frustrations was that she had not been able to wash her hair since her surgery. The range of motion in her arms was so compromised from the lymph node removal that she could not lift her arms up over her head. She was having a bad hair day. And any lady out there knows that when you're not comfortable with the way you look, it clouds your outlook on your entire day.
At Maple Tree, we understand the impact cancer has on your identity. Surgery takes away your body parts. Chemo takes away your hair. Hormones cause you to gain weight. Sickness causes you to lose weight. You’re fatigued and weak. You can’t do the things you once could.
How do you stay you, when everything about you is different?
The key is to focus on your identity in Christ. This means that you abandon any image of yourself that is not from God. Don’t focus on your shortcomings, on the changes to your image, on ways that others have labeled or defined you. Believe God and become what He says you are!
One of the primary ways Satan attacks us is by making us question our identity. He even did this to Jesus when he tempted Him in the wilderness: “[The devil] said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God…’” (Luke 4:9 ESV). If Satan gets us to question our identity, he succeeds in stripping us of our power. We lose our authority as God’s children.
But God has given us a way to defeat Satan. In fact, it is the very same method we see Jesus use when He was tempted in the wilderness: Scripture. In God’s Word, He tells us that if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, we belong to Him. We are children of God through Jesus Christ (see John 1:12). We are accepted (see Romans 15:7). We are one with Jesus (see 1 Corinthians 6:17). We are no longer slaves to sin (see Romans 6:6). We are a temple of the Holy Spirit! (See 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.)
Don’t let the mirror determine your value! You were created in God’s image (see Genesis 1:27), and you are altogether beautiful! (See Song of Solomon 4:7.) Pray for help to be aware of how the enemy attacks, and stand against his lies with the truth of God’s Word!
Pray: Dear heavenly Father, it is so easy to be burdened with our appearance. It is so easy to despair when our bodies can’t do the things they once could. When Satan tempts us to feel that we have lost our identity, remind us of who we are in You. Remind us of the authority we have as Your children. Renew our minds as we walk with You. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Your Turn: You are fearfully and wonderfully made! Thank God for your body and for the abilities He has given you!
Karen Y. Wonders, PhD, FACSM, Cancer Caregiver
Karen is the Founder and CEO of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, and Professor/Program Director of Exercise Physiology at Wright State University. Her passion is to advocate for exercise as part of the national standard of care for cancer. Her non-profit organization provides free exercise training to thousands of cancer survivors every month (www.mapletreecanceralliance.org). Dr. Wonders and her husband have 7 children—aged 16 and younger. If you think her hands are full, you should see her heart!
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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