Talk to God about Cancer?: a Devotional
Sometimes even talking to God about your cancer can seem too much.
We don’t like thinking about cancer because it can be a downer. And, do you know how sometimes one negative thought can grow, and the next thing you know your thoughts are spiraling down to “Negative Land”? (I just made that up- Negative Land.) Sometimes even talking to God about your cancer can seem too much.
Look at this verse:
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16
▶ From the verse above, how should you approach God’s throne of grace?
______________________________________
The word for confidence in the Greek is parrēsia, which means free and fearless
confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance.
▶ From Hebrews 4:16 above, when will you find grace to help you?
a. When you pray the right way.
b. In your time of need.
c. In your time of need - unless God has recently blessed you “really good”, or you’re too upset, or something like that. Then sorry, no go.
Does God expect us to be so content in our difficulties that we do not even ask for His help? Does your confidence in God mean you do not need to present your struggles to Him?
Hebrews 4:16 certainly tells us NO. God wants us to confidently come to Him in prayer, so we can receive grace to help us in our times of need.
Write your name on the space below:
____________________, approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that you may receive mercy and find grace to help you in your time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Beginning by saying your name, verse above aloud.
In Hebrews 4:16, we learned to take our needs with confidence to God. But let’s look back at the two verses before that verse to discover more:
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our
time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
▶ To answer these questions, look at the verses above of Hebrews 4:14-16:
• Who is our Great High Priest?
______________________________ (verse 14)
• Where is He?
______________________________ (verse 14)
Remember, verse 16 encourages us to “approach God in His throne room.” As obviously AWESOME as this would be, for me, it would also be completely terrifying. Why? Because God is perfect, and we are not. Everything allowed in God’s presence must be perfect. I know I’m not perfect. None of us are.
So how are we supposed to be confident when we approach God? GOOD NEWS! When Jesus came from Heaven to Earth He was perfect. Then He died on the cross so that we will be made perfect in Heaven- in the throne room before God. So we can confidently approach God because Jesus died on n the cross for us. Whew! That’s a relief!
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.
