Your Cancer Is Not a Surprise to God, August 18
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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Written by Elvin McLin
But I have prayed for you, Simon [Peter], that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers (Luke 22:32 NIV).
Waiting inside your doctor’s office in silence, your eyes scan the equipment that is standard in many doctors’ offices. A chart outlines the outer layers of skin and various names for those layers. Right next to it, another chart shows the skeletal makeup of your body. While you are waiting for the doctor to arrive, the nurse comes in and takes your vitals. Your arm is placed in the proper position while the BP cuff is applied. The reading shows normal. The thermometer is placed under your tongue. Reading is normal. Yet, the feeling of uneasiness won’t go away. The nurse leaves the room, kindly saying the doctor will be in to see you again shortly. You scan the room again. The locations of every piece of equipment and every piece of furniture become a part of your memory. The doctor enters. Even though he has been your doctor for a long time, the word “cancer” is all you hear. How can this be? The results of my annual physical had been normal. Cancer? It can’t be! Life has good surprises and bad surprises. Cancer is not a good surprise.
While your physical body reacts by unleashing uncontrollable tears, a scene appears in your subconscious. In that scene Jesus is speaking to Peter, telling him he will deny Jesus not once, but three times! This reminds you that you are not the first person faced with a bad surprise. Yet do you know who was not surprised? Christ.
Peter’s denial of Christ came as no surprise to our Lord, just as the announcement of cancer in your life did not surprise Him!
What a comfort knowing your cancer may have surprised you, but it wasn’t a surprise to Jesus! There is more good news. Jesus did not just tell Peter about how he was going to abandon Jesus. Jesus assured Peter that He was praying for him. Jesus shared with Peter before the denial, “But I have prayed for you, Simon [Peter], that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32).
You begin to realize that, just like Peter, Jesus has already prayed for you! An unexplained supernatural calm is released inside of you. Your cancer was not a surprise to Jesus, and He has already prayed for you and your cancer journey.
Pray: Lord, we thank You for Your Word! Nothing comes as a surprise to You. Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light on our path. Amen. (See Psalm 119:105.)
Your Turn: Take a moment to make a list of all the things about your cancer journey you would like Jesus to pray for. Then leave each one with Jesus in prayer, confident that He is your perfect advocate. Let this prayer bring you calm.
Elvin K. McLin, Cancer Survivor
Elvin is the husband of Dominique. They live in Ellisville, Missouri where they share five beautiful adult children and five beautiful grandchildren. Elvin is an entrepreneur who began his journey with cancer in 2019 with stage three and stage four kidney cancer. As he was healing from the first encounter with cancer, another battle with cancer reared itself in the form of prostate cancer. Elvin has been welcomed by Cancer Companions to become a member of the Board of Directors.
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.
To learn more about our ministry and the services we provide visit our website by clicking here.
