The Gift of a Handicap, February 6
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by David Gira
“I was given the gift of a handicap” (2 Corinthians 12:7 MSG).
We could surely call cancer lots of things: horrible, terrible, hard, bad, a nightmare. We could come up with other words. One thing we probably would not think to call cancer is a gift.
An unidentified mystery illness afflicted the Apostle Paul, the missionary giant of the New Testament. He referred to it as a “thorn in his side” (see 2 Corinthians 12:7). Whether heart disease, kidney stones, appendicitis, neurological distress, or perhaps cancer, the “thorn” caused Paul acute pain.
Paul pleaded repeatedly for God to remove the thorn from his side, but God refused. He had superabundantly gifted Paul with divine experiences and visions. Paul came to understand the thorn to be God’s way of keeping him humble, always dependent on God. Forced to his knees, Paul prayed more than ever.
The thorn in Paul’s side also proved to be a source of God’s strength for him. After Paul pleaded on three occasions for its removal, the Lord responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).
I love the Message’s rendering of Paul’s response to God’s words: “I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so, the weaker I get, the stronger I become” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 MSG).
Paul’s example challenges and inspires. Seeing anything good in something as bad as cancer can be incredibly difficult. It’s a terrible disease. Nonetheless, we would do well and be blessed to look at this disease as Paul looked at his handicap and find the gifts.
After my diagnosis I began journaling, attempting to weave together my cancer experience, faith, Scripture, and prayer. Soon, I began to see God using the disease in many ways. Everything about cancer God used for my good (see Romans 8:28).
My marriage became stronger. I treasured my children with greater devotion. I prioritized my family over work. The Holy Spirit supercharged my ministry. I began to let go of long-held crippling resentment, and forgave. The experience humbled me. And I, too, experienced God’s strength.
This was only the beginning. I ended up writing a book, How Cancer Cured Me. In it, I shared fifteen dimensions of healing I experienced in the first couple years of my cancer journey: courage, grace, forgiveness, compassion, and many others. God’s healing work still amazes me, and it continues.
As you reflect on your cancer journey, take time to consider the many gifts cancer has given you. I know it’s not easy, but in addition to all the difficulties, what good has God worked out for you? Embrace humility and tap into God’s perfect strength. Pray over all that is bad. Praise Him for what is good.
Pray: Lord, everything bad about cancer is easy to see. Seeing the gifts is much harder. Open my eyes so I can see the good You are doing. Enable me to see Your work on display in my life. Amen.
Your Turn: You’ve heard the saying, “count your blessings.” Focusing on the blessings of cancer, the gifts, may be a new and challenging endeavor. Listen to Matt Redman’s “10,000 Reasons.” I believe it will inspire you.
Michael David Gira, Jr., Cancer Survivor
David was an ordained United Methodist Pastor and graduate of Duke Divinity School. He and his wife, Amy, lived in Raleigh, North Carolina with their three children. In 2017 he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. In his book, How Cancer Cured Me, he shares many ways he experienced God’s healing. After a 7 year battle with cancer, David is now joyously singing praises in God’s glorious throne room. His legacy lives on through his writing for Cancer Companions, as he continues to proclaim Christ’s hope and healing power to others experiencing cancer. https://www.davidgira.com/how-cancer-cured-me
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