Your Fears and Doubts are Normal, January 5
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by Dominique McLin
“Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken” (Psalm 55:22 NIV).
My husband’s doctor sent him for an x-ray of his abdomen following a routine exam. The doctor felt something firm and large on my husband’s right side. He thought perhaps his spleen was enlarged and an x-ray would give him a better idea of what was going on. The x-ray showed a growth that completely engulfed the kidney beyond recognition. Even my medically untrained eye could see we had a big problem. I was afraid: afraid for my husband; afraid for myself, the kids, my mother-in-law. Oh, my goodness, how do we tell his mother? What does this mean and what do we do? Who can help us? So many questions quickly crowded my mind. I was overwhelmed. I looked at my husband and could see he was in shock and appeared overwhelmed, too.
I have talked with several cancer patients and caregivers. All have shared various fears and doubts. “I am afraid to have surgery; what if I do not wake up?” “I am scared to have chemotherapy.” “What if chemo does not work for me?” “Who will take care of my loved ones if I die?” Just to name a few.
Please know, your fears are normal. Look at the verse for today. “Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” The verse does not say, “You should not have any cares.” God knows we face fears. Fear is not a sign of a lack of faith. Fear is something we cast on the Lord.
Cast? Like a fishing line? Not exactly—we don’t want to reel it back in! The Greek word for cast means to throw, hurl, or fling. So, what are we supposed to do with those fears? We should hurl them to the Lord—not just once, but over and over again. For each new fear, and especially for those recurring fears, we continue to throw them to the Lord over and over again.
Does our daily verse tell us why we do this? “… so He will sustain you.” Praise God! We are not shaken—not even by cancer. Nothing can sustain us like God’s Word. While fears are normal, the Lord has given us His Word to counter our fears. Trust God. Fling your cares and fears on Him and be amazed at how He sustains you.
Pray: Lord God, thank You that You love me enough to want to take my fears and to give me Your peace. Help me by Your Spirit to cast my fears to You every time they come, and to rest in the promises of Your Word. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Your Turn: Think of fears that are burdening you right now. Visualize casting them to God, and His receiving them from you in His strong, powerful arms.
Dominique McLin, Cancer Caregiver
Dominique has walked alongside her husband, mom, and dad during their respective cancer journeys all while working in a demanding position with a major healthcare company. Dominique and her husband Elvin live in Ellisville, Missouri and are blessed with five adult children and five grandchildren. Dominique and Elvin received support from the Cancer Companions ministry and consider it an honor to be able to give back to the ministry and provide support to others diagnosed with cancer.
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.
