Trading Scanxiety for Scanticipation, September 26
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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By David Gira
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).
The days before an MRI, CT scan, or PET scan can cause you to stress out. Has the cancer progressed? Stabilized? Or—Please, God!—shrunk, or, even better, vanished? The anxiety, or “scanxiety” as some call it, can be off the charts.
In my cancer journey, I have had many scans. Some have not been good, showing progression of the disease. Many more have been great. Nonetheless, I often still feel “scanxiety.” Today’s scripture encourages us not to be anxious. Instead, we can trust God and SCANTICIPATE. Here’s how:
Stand on the Word of God. Hold fast to the promises of God. Take your favorite Bible verse with you. Search the Scriptures. Read a devotional. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105 NIV). God will show you the way.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV). With Jesus, you can be “careless in the care of God” (Matthew 6:26 MSG).
Ask God for a good report and anything else you need. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7 NIV).
Never take your eyes off Jesus. Stay focused on Him. He’s with you. Let the doctors look for cancer. You look for Christ! Peter walked on the water—until he took his eyes off Jesus. “‘You of little faith,’ [Jesus] said, ‘why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:31 NIV)
Thank God for everything He’s done, is doing, and will do. “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart” (Psalm 111:1 ESV).
Invite the Holy Spirit into your experience. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to be with us forever (see John 14:16), teach us, and remind us of everything Jesus said (see John 14:26). The Holy Spirit will give you peace.
Call faithful friends. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a NIV). At times, we all need a friend to lift our hopes.
Imagine what God CAN do. Instead of thinking how bad the scans may be, think about how good they could be. “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37 NKJV).
“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV).
Affirm yourself—you are God’s beloved child. The Holy Spirit assures us that we are God’s children (see Romans 8:16).
Trust God completely. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).
Expect God to work all things out for your good! (See Romans 8:28.)
Pray: Lord, so often my scanxiety overwhelms me. I imagine the worst. Help me not to be anxious about scans or any other part of this cancer journey. Instead, empower me to scanticipate the best! Help me trust You always to do Your best for me. Amen.
Your Turn: “I’m Trading My Sorrows” by Darrell Evans is one of the first Christian worship songs I fell in love with. Check it out.
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
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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