Living in High Five Anticipation, May 30
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by Karen Tripp
“You performed signs and wonders in Egypt and have continued them to this day, in Israel and among all mankind, and have gained the renown that is still yours” (Jeremiah 32:20 NIV).
What did we do before high fives? I know we’ve probably been shaking hands and giving hugs since the beginning of mankind, but nothing seems to show undeniable, spontaneous celebration like a high five. “WOW! Look what you did!! You’re incredible!”
Do you know who really does incredible things? God. Maybe we should stop and give God a high five? We wouldn’t be the first. Here are three Bible figures who knew God was incredible—and told Him so.
Jeremiah: “You performed miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt and have continued them to this day” (Jeremiah 32:20 NIV).
Daniel: “You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you” (Daniel 2:23 NIV).
David: “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you” (Psalm 63:3 NIV).
You may be thinking, “That’s nice for them, but I’m dealing with cancer. I do not feel like giving anyone a high five.”
Actually, the worst of times might be the best time to slap God’s cosmic-size palm with yours.
At the time the three men above told God how incredible He was, they were each facing death.
Jeremiah was imprisoned as the Babylonian army besieged the city.
Daniel was told he would die if he could not read the king’s mind.
David was hiding in the wilderness since King Saul had sentenced him to death.
Look again at what incredible things God did for these men:
Jeremiah: “You performed miraculous signs and wonders…”
Daniel: “You have given me wisdom and power...”
David: “Your love is better than life…”
What about you? Have you seen God show up in incredible ways in your cancer walk? You know it’s time to high five God when incredible things happen and you say, “That had to be You, God, because it certainly wasn’t me.”
Check out these cancer-related high fives:
“You gave me just the right doctor, medicine, treatment, at just the right time!”
“You answered my prayers and the scan, test results, tumor count is great!”
“You gave me the wisdom to make the best decision.”
“You strengthened me to endure when I thought I could not.”
“You love me so completely that I know You are better and bigger than life.”
Each high five you give God just leads to the next one and the next one, until you’re acknowledging and praising God regardless of what your cancer is doing.
Does God need to be reminded of all the mind-blowing things He has done in your life? No, He remembers. Then why bother to give God even one high five? Because we need to be reminded. Honestly? The best way to walk through cancer is in high anticipation of the next incredible thing God will do. Give it a try. Give God a high five!
Pray: Lord You are incredible! You amaze me at all the ways You care for me even when I struggle with cancer. High five, God! Amen.
Your Turn: Complete the sentences below that apply to you.
You have done wonderful things for me, like the time…
You led me on the right path when…
You gave me the strength I needed when…
I could see that Your love is better than life when…
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.
