Peace, September 17
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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By Karen Wonders
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you (Isaiah 26:3 NIV).
Lately, God has been teaching me about how little control I have over things. In fact, even as I type this, I’m sitting 35,000 feet in the air, in an airplane that will land later than it is scheduled to arrive. There is a good possibility that I will miss my connecting flight as a result. I have absolutely no control over this situation. All I can do is sit and pray I will make it in time.
A few weeks ago, my two oldest daughters went away to a Christian camp for a week. It was the first time they had ever been away from home. I was excited for all the things they would get to do and experience, and hopeful that they would grow closer to the Lord while they were there. But, of course, the mom in me was a little nervous, and couldn’t wait until they were safely at home.
On the third night they were gone, my husband and I woke up in the middle of the night to a severe thunderstorm. We turned on the television, and watched as a huge storm cell slowly descended on the area where our children were camping. In that moment, I was confronted with the reality that I have very little control over the things of this life. This was a hard pill for me to swallow. As a busy mom of seven children, I tend to be a little bit of a control freak. I carefully plan work schedules, school schedules, sports schedules, and chore schedules. I don’t think I would survive a day without my planner by my side.
Yet, on this particular evening, I found myself in a situation I did not plan for. I am not capable of calming storms. The winds and rains don’t obey my voice. I could not strengthen the cabin my girls were sleeping in, or tell the trees not to bend under the pressure of the storm.
I was helpless. But I was not without hope.
You see, even though I was powerless to stop the raging storm, I completely trusted the One who did have the power to do so. I trusted that He would take care of me, no matter what damage the storm caused. I trusted that whatever the outcome, He would provide for all my needs. I believed that He loved my daughters more than I could ever comprehend, and that He had a good plan for their lives. And so, that night, my prayers turned from prayers driven by worry, into prayers driven by worship. Worship for the One who created the heavens and the earth. Who stretched out the sky that rained that evening. He is in control and I can trust His plan is perfect—even when it is not a part of my plan.
Pray: Father God, it is possible to have peace, even in the middle of the storms of life. When the world around me is spinning out of control, help me to fix my thoughts on You. Keep me in perfect peace, no matter what my circumstances may be. Help me to trust You and keep my thoughts fixed on You! I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Your Turn: Where do you need to turn your prayers of worry into prayers of worship? Do that right now!
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!
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