What Difference Does It Make? March 17
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by Thomas Sherrod
“But when they did not find [Paul and Silas], they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, ‘These who have turned the world upside down have come here too’” (Acts 17:6 NKJV).
My oldest brother died at age thirty-eight, unexpectedly. I still think about our last conversation. We talked about coming to faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. He said, “I have to get some things together before making that commitment.” He knew inviting Christ into his life would change everything. He wanted to believe he could get his life in order before his journey with Jesus began. He was not ready for the transformation.
Paul and Silas came to Rome preaching Jesus as the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah. Some of the residents were threatened by their message. They brought Jason, who was housing Paul and Silas, to the rulers of the city. They complained that Jason was harboring men “who have turned the world upside down.” Their way of life was being toppled. They realized, as did my brother, that following Christ would drastically alter the course of their lives.
Cancer changes your life. The question is: How does following Christ affect the challenge of coping with cancer? It might cause you to question why God has allowed this disease to infect your body. Your prayer life may acquire a more confrontational tone of, “Why me, Lord?” Feelings of being abandoned or forsaken may creep into your prayer time. These experiences are common when your world has been overturned.
Conversely, walking with Jesus can bring strength and comfort. With Christ, you are never alone. You have constant access to an otherworldly power that this world does not understand. This does not mean doubts, questions and difficult feelings leave. It means you have Someone who can navigate the troubled waters with you. It means you have a Savior who can sympathize with your weaknesses (see Hebrews 4:15). It means that, even though it feels like the bottom has fallen out, “God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn” (Psalm 46:5 NIV). It is like having the instruction booklet and proper tools to address any problem. Or, better yet, it is like having a trusted friend in your home to handle any issue. You can relax, knowing you are in capable and trusted hands.
Pray: Lord, thank You for being my strength and Savior. I am completely lost without You. Your comfort instills confidence within my soul, knowing You will work it out. Amen.
Your Turn: Imagine welcoming Christ into your home, not merely to fix something, but to simply spend time with you every day. Thank God for the blessed fellowship He offers each day.
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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