Do You Minimize Your Cancer?: a Devotional
Do you ever think, “There are no problems, because God is in control?”
Do you ever think, “There are no problems, because God is in control”? That’s not quite accurate. The truth is, “Despite the problems, God is in control.”
Problems are still there. Take cancer. God is in control of your cancer and...
• There will be days that are miserable.
• There will be people who disappoint me.
• There will be changes to my body that limit me.
• There will be plans that change, people that change and finances that change.
Minimizing problems can lead you to...
• NOT acknowledging your problems.
• NOT admitting that you need help with the problems.
• NOT accepting help from those God has sent to help you.
• NOT facing problems with others.
• NOT allowing others to lift your problems up in prayer.
• NOT battling loneliness by being with those who care for you.
Here’s another thing about minimizing problems: If you don’t acknowledge the depth of your problems, then how can you give all your burdens to Christ in prayer?
Check out this verse:
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16b
Let’s face it. The righteous person is not minimizing their problems; they’re grabbing them with both hands and rushing to place them before the Lord. There’s no reason to minimize the impact of cancer - especially not to God.
There have been times I have not taken problems to God in prayer. In hindsight, I can see that I was avoiding God. You see, when I place my problems before the Lord in prayer, I am submitting to handling my problems His way- not mine. My way often looks like pretending to be a strong person that does not need the help of others (even when I do.) God’s way often looks like me learning to accept help and guidance from the loving people that the Lord places around me (often necessary, but rarely easy.)
Excerpt from Finding Hope in Your Cancer Journey
“Finding Hope in Your Cancer Journey” is used in Christian cancer support groups and one-to-one peer counseling sessions to encourage cancer family members to discover all that Christ hungers to give them in the midst of their cancer struggle. Beyond their salvation, many Christian seek peace and comfort from Christ during difficult times. But Jesus wants to give guidance, strength, discernment, power and courage. Finding Hope in Your Cancer Journey encourages cancer family members to pray big, love big and live big because the Lord God Almighty is big enough for all that and more. Find a Bible Study using these materials here.
