Why, God? April 28
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by David Gira
“‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him’” (John 9:3 NIV).
When cancer enters into your life, one of the first questions out of your mouth may be, “Why?” Why cancer? Why me? Why now? God, why did You allow this? Why haven’t You healed me?
As Jesus “went through all the towns and villages … healing every disease and sickness” (Matthew 9:35 NIV), He surely heard many similar questions. On one occasion, He and his disciples came upon a man who had been blind since birth. The disciples asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2 NIV)
Their question opens another infinite line of questioning also familiar to us. Who’s to blame for my cancer? Did I do something wrong? Am I paying for someone else’s actions? God, are You to blame? Are You punishing me?
Jesus answers the disciples’ question with these important words, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned … but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:3).
His answer provides important truths about your suffering.
To begin with, you may not have done anything to deserve cancer—just as the blind man didn’t cause himself to be born blind. Maybe no one can be blamed. On the other hand, your years of smoking may be to blame. You may be kicking yourself for not having kicked the habit. Either way, God’s not to blame and is not punishing you. God loves you, acts with compassion, and desires to heal you!
After debunking the blame game, Jesus gives the reason for the man’s blindness: “This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:3). His “so that” is our why.
Take a moment to let the significance of these words sink in. Your cancer is an opportunity for the works of God to be on display in YOUR life! He’s not only going to show up; He’s going to show off … in you!
The blind man received his physical sight, but more importantly, he gained his spiritual sight. In the same way, Jesus can heal your physical disease and your spiritual blindness, which is far more important. He can give you 20/20 spiritual vision! Then you truly can see God at work. You won’t miss a thing.
As you believe God’s works will be on display in your cancer experience, you will see more of them than you ever dreamed. You will see Christ’s light shining in cancer’s darkness. As you see His works, you’ll believe more, and then see more. Before you know it, you’ll see God everywhere, in everything “cancer”—scans, biopsies, treatments, healing and recovery, even hospice and death—and in every dimension of your life.
True sight is believing that Jesus is our Lord and Savior and opening yourself to see the wondrous works He has done, is doing, and will do throughout your cancer experience.
Pray: Lord, make my cancer experience an opportunity for Your work to be displayed for all to see. Amen.
Your Turn: Reflect on the ways God has shown up and showed off in your cancer journey. Find a way to share your testimony with others.
Listen to “Amazing Grace”, performed by Chris Tomlin. Allow these few minutes to be a time to worship God.
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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