Steady Rain, June 22
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by Thomas Sherrod
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26 NIV).
It had not rained in several weeks. I unwisely attempted to plant a shrub during this dry season. It was like digging into cement! There was no moisture in the ground. I decided to wait until we had some rain before proceeding. Ezekiel describes God’s chosen and beloved people’s heart as a stone—lifeless and hard. God’s beloved people had drifted away from Him, becoming disobedient, defiant, and rebellious. But God promises to replace their hardened heart with a pliable heart of flesh. God promises to bring His people back to life through the gift of His Holy Spirit.
Cancer can infect your mind and spirit as well as your body. Fatigue can open the door to thoughts of discouragement. You may feel like you will never be healthy again. You may wonder if your former self will ever return. Life and hope may become strangers. You may be tempted to skip church even when you can go, distance yourself from church friends, stop reading your Bible, and slowly begin to stray from your faith. However, you know a heart of stone begins to form as you turn away from your source of life. “I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water” (Psalm 61:1b NIV) touches upon life in a spiritual desert. But God has a message of hope.
God promises to create life again! All your striving and willpower can only take you so far. You have feet of clay and eventually grow weary. But today’s verse from Ezekiel, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you” is good news. God will take the initiative. He says, “I will.” Like an oasis in the desert, God brings new life. He seeks to make you a new creation. God promises by His grace to bring you back to life. His Spirit is like a steady rain revitalizing your soul.
It is so easy to wander into the barren land of unbelief, especially while going through a painful and frightening season. May God bring a downpour of His Holy Spirit into your life.
Pray: Lord, thank You for pouring out Your Holy Spirit into my heart! Thank You for constantly calling my wandering heart back to You. The miracle of Your faithfulness is overwhelming. How can I ever thank You? Empower me to live a life of gratitude for the amazing gift of rebirth only You can give. Amen.
Your Turn: Ask God to help you let go of discouraging thoughts and claim His life-giving promises. Trust that God’s mercy and gracious love are from a well that will never run dry.
Thomas W. Sherrod, Cancer Survivor
Tom is a retired hospital chaplain who works part time for Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health System in North Carolina. He organized and facilitated a cancer support group for twenty years as part of his hospital ministry. He is married for forty-four years and enjoys his three daughters, two sons-in-law, and five grandchildren. He is a recent survivor of prostate cancer and is immensely thankful for all of God's grace and provisions through it all.
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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