Where Can I Focus?, July 30
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by Thomas Sherrod
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV).
Our neighbor across the street has moved, and his house is being shown to prospective buyers. I found myself becoming anxious about who would be our new neighbors. A good neighbor is a treasure, but a bad neighbor can be a nightmare. As anxiety sought to consume my thinking, Romans 8:28 came to my mind: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” I was reminded that the only thing I could control was whether or not I was committed to deepening my loving relationship with God. I had to trust that things would work together for the good as long as I focused on loving God.
Sometimes people quote this scripture trying to bypass the pain and trauma of a painful situation. They might say to someone who has received a cancer diagnosis, “Don’t worry, you know, all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord.” Someone struggling with cancer doesn’t need a cheap Bible quote and a pat on the back. This scripture is anything but cheap grace and a pat on the back, if understood correctly.
This verse is showing us that God is so immense that He doesn’t just make good things happen. He makes good things happen from ALL things—even cancer. Cancer can threaten to unravel our trust in God. You can begin to think you have been betrayed. You may seek answers to unanswerable questions. You may look despair in the eye and think you have been singled out for unwarranted punishment. Fear not. When the verse says ALL things, that means every fear, every doubt, every shame, every mistake, every burden cancer can bring, God will work for good.
A wise professor ministered to my anxiety about the future by saying, “Why not trust that God is bringing good things to you each morning, that His mercies are fresh every day?” (See Lamentations 3:23.) I hadn’t thought of it that way, but it sure felt different. May God remove the dread of the future from our hearts and replace it with anticipation of what blessings God may bring each new day. Only God can change our minds and hearts! May God transform our minds to thirst for and long for a deeper relationship with Him that brings a peace that passes all understanding.
Pray: Father God, help me to keep my mind and heart focused on You, and on deepening my relationship with You. Help me to leave everything else in Your hands, including how You will work all things, even cancer, for my good. Amen.
Your Turn: Ask God to give you anticipation for His mercies for you in this day. Then, through your day, watch for His hand at work in your world.
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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