“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath (Ephesians 4:26 NKJV).

Did you know Jesus got angry? On one occasion He entered the temple, saw the holy site being used as a flea market, and became livid, overturning the merchants’ tables and driving them out into the streets. He was upset that religious authorities were allowing a place of prayer to be used for personal monetary gain. He was outraged! If Jesus got angry, why do so many of us consider anger a sin? Our scripture for today says, “Be angry, and do not sin.” It can be confusing.

…she took some and ate it (Genesis 3:6 NIV).

At Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, we have had the honor to serve many people battling cancer. Just about all of them struggle with food. One patient in particular always comes to mind when I talk about this subject. Karen had breast cancer, and was significantly overweight with multiple other risk factors. During our first meeting, she was so sick that she kept falling asleep. Karen was very resistant to changing her diet. She wasn’t willing to try healthy food, because she was sure she wouldn’t like it. She had herself convinced that eating healthy wouldn’t make a difference in her health status, so why even try?

“When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him” (Exodus 32:1 NIV).

Have you ever stood in a grocery store checkout line, become impatient, and switched to a shorter line that then took longer? You may have heard the axiom, “a watched pot never boils.” How true! Inevitably, my impatience and irritability lead to impulsive and ill-advised decisions. The children of Israel found themselves waiting for Moses to descend the mountain with a word from the Lord. They became impatient and begged Moses’ brother Aaron to construct a golden calf, an idol, as their object of worship. They said, “We don’t know what has happened to him [Moses].” So they took matters into their own hands, rather than trust in God’s promise to deliver a word through Moses.

“Were there none found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger?” (Luke 17:18 ASV)

You know, sometimes bulldozers are pretty handy things to have around.

I have on occasion been called a bulldozer. This is hopefully not referring to my physique, but rather my tendency to become intensely focused. This can be a good thing—as long as no innocent bystanders are in my way. After all, bulldozers like me have real problems slowing down or changing directions.

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4 NIV).

My phone rang. I did not recognize the number. Why did I answer it? It was the dermatologist’s office. The mole on my nose turned out to be a basal cell carcinoma. I was referred to a surgeon for a Mohs procedure. I could feel my heart beginning to race. What is a Mohs procedure? I did not expect this. Would there be disfigurement? As I sorted out the flood of emotions, I realized I was feeling vulnerable and acutely aware of the fragility of life. At any moment I could receive a phone call that would alter the course of my life. Is this too dramatic? Not for me. I turned to Scripture for help.

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry” (John 6:35 NIV).

I’ve got a confession to make. When I’m tired, stressed, or overwhelmed, sometimes I seem to lose the will and the way to connect with God. It feels too much like hard work. Not only does God seem far away, but in the back of my mind I assume He’d rather I came to Him in a better state—when I’m not so falling apart.

“So as for you, return to your God, Maintain kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually” (Hosea 12:6 NASB).

I’ve always admired people who are content to sit and wait on things. I personally have never been very patient. Waiting in lines. Waiting on a phone call. Waiting on something I want really badly. I drive myself crazy trying to figure out ways to manipulate situations so I can decrease my waiting time. Sometimes, I’m successful. Other times, I become so annoyed that even my own children have to remind me to be patient.

“My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music” (Psalm 57:7 NIV).

Music is a gift from God that makes my heart smile. As a child, I learned to play the piano and even to create a few of my own songs. I love to sing, but the sounds that come out probably make others want to run in the opposite direction. However, my friend, Toni, once told me that God doesn’t care what my voice sounds like; He just wants to hear it. So, I sing. Music is motivating, joyous, and healing for me. Most of all, it brings me closer to God.

“My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music” (Psalm 57:7 NIV).

Music is a gift from God that makes my heart smile. As a child, I learned to play the piano and even to create a few of my own songs. I love to sing, but the sounds that come out probably make others want to run in the opposite direction. However, my friend, Toni, once told me that God doesn’t care what my voice sounds like; He just wants to hear it. So, I sing. Music is motivating, joyous, and healing for me. Most of all, it brings me closer to God.

“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, ‘Where is your God?’” (Psalm 42:1-3 ESV)

You do remember that E.T. once said, “Phone home”?1

The Lord wants us to do the same. You “call home” through the gift and practice of prayer. Writer and spiritual mentor Henri Nouwen wrote these beautiful words:

Prayer is first of all listening to God. It’s openness. God is always speaking; he’s always doing something.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6 NKJV).

As a pastor, I have recited the Twenty-Third Psalm more often than I could begin to count. Sadly, too many of these times have involved deathbeds and funerals.

I say “sadly” because this familiar psalm of David was not intended just for the times I’ve most often used it, but throughout our lives from cradle to grave. Indeed, David’s words apply to all the days between birth and death.

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19 NIV).

My husband, Elvin, and I are anxiously waiting for the results of the extensive testing he endured, which will tell us if his partial kidney is healthy and cancer-free. In January of 2019, Elvin’s left kidney was engulfed with cancer beyond recognition and his right kidney was enlarged with cancer. The Lord greatly blessed us through the removal of his left kidney, and immunotherapy and surgery finally killing the cancer on the right kidney.

“He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control” (Philippians 3:21 NLT).

Cancer is good at reminding us how weak our bodies are. Nearly every physiological system experiences some kind of negative side effect as a result of cancer and its treatments. The heart reduces its pumping capacity. The kidneys and liver don’t function as efficiently. The walls of the lungs lose their integrity. Muscles lose their strength. The list goes on and on.

“I will not remember their sins and wrong-doings anymore” (Hebrews 10:17 NLV).

Have you ever played tug of war? It’s when two teams line up on opposite ends of a giant rope. On the count of three, both teams tug at the rope, trying to pull the other team over to their side. Usually, the rope starts to burn one team’s hands so much that they let go, and the other team goes tumbling onto the ground.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (John‬ 16:13 ESV‬‬).‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Choosing an oncologist. Making treatment decisions. Knowing what to say to your kids about cancer. Deciding if you should step down from your job. Figuring out your finances and healthcare benefits. The cancer journey involves countless decisions. Through it all, Jesus promises that His Holy Spirit will help and guide us.

“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.

“The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you” (Numbers 6:25 NKJV).

My mother suffered a stroke twelve months before she died. The stroke primarily affected her speech. My brother and I alternated caring for her on weekends. It always brought me joy when her eyes would light up as I entered her bedroom. She was unable to speak, but her eyes communicated volumes.

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting” (Psalm 100:1-2, 3b, 4b-5a KJV).

Throughout life, we experience periods of darkness. Life events such as illness, death of a loved one, or loss of a job can lead to fear, depression, and despair. If we remember the Lord is God and keep our hearts and minds open to Him who made us, we will see the blessings He delivers to help us cope with the darkness. As Psalm 100 says, “We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” God loves and cares for each of us. He is our Light.

“But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me” (Philippians‬ 2:17-18‬ NIV‬‬).

Being diagnosed with cancer places you in the role of a care receiver. You depend on a host of people to serve you. All work hard to support you and help you heal. While you may be limited by your disease and treatment, you also are still able to serve.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4 NIV).

Remember removing the training wheels from your child’s bike? Odds are that you anticipated some frustration, tears, and maybe a skinned knee. (Not you—the kid!) So why do it? Because the joyful feeling of riding a two-wheel bike down a hill with the breeze in your face is worth it. We like to gauge trials based on, “Is the struggle worth it?”