Being a Patient Patient, September 23
By David Gira
I waited patiently for the Lord (Psalm 40:1a NIV).
Recently, after waiting thirty minutes beyond my appointment time for my first chemotherapy infusion, I checked back with the receptionist. She curtly explained that the wait would be “sixty to ninety minutes.” A moment later she returned with a flier titled, “Why am I waiting so long for my treatment?” I wasn’t the first to ask.
The flier explained the wait in detail: an hour-and-a-half to prepare the meds and get all the necessary final approvals. After that, the chemo infusion would take four hours (thirty minutes for the first medication, three hours for the second, and thirty minutes for the last). I would need to be patient.
As a cancer patient, survivor, or caregiver, you need lots of patience. There’s a reason why patients are called patients. Because that’s what we must be! Wait patiently for a parking place, for your doctor to see you, for test results, and for the cancer to be gone. The waiting never ends!
Living in a microwave society makes being patient very difficult. Everything in the cancer journey rarely happens fast enough. Being patient is required—and good for your physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
Being patient has been a struggle for humanity since the dawn of time. The Bible has a lot to say about it. Many of the people we find in its pages waited patiently, including King David, who recalled a time when his enemies threatened his life.
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire” (Psalm 40:1-2a NIV).
In our cancer battle, we can take comfort in knowing our patience will one day be rewarded. The Lord will lift you out of this slimy pit! He will provide for all your needs. And the day will come, now or in eternity, when cancer is no more. You can be sure, no matter how long the wait, God loves you, sees and hears you, and will come through for you.
Perhaps the greatest challenge to being patient is when we interact with other people. The Bible exhorts us, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). Cancer patients and caregivers often find themselves frustrated and impatient not just with people at the hospital, but also with the people they love most.
Thankfully, patience is not something we have to produce on our own. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. When we follow Jesus, His Spirit lives in us and creates good fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and patience (see Galatians 5:22-23).
The little fruit tree in you will produce the patience you need. Stay rooted in the good soil of God’s Word and prayer. Allow God to prune bad branches like pride, selfishness, and anger. And above all, stay close to Jesus. Make sure your tree gets plenty of Son-shine. Who knows; you might yield a bumper crop!
Pray: Lord, forgive me for my impatience. Help me be a more patient patient. Enable me to wait patiently on You and on others. Give me hope and increase my faith. Amen.
Your Turn: Many songs have been written based on Psalm 40. One of my favorites is “‘40’” by my all-time favorite band, U2. This recording is from almost 40 years ago. Check it out.
Michael David Gira, Jr., Cancer Survivor
David was an ordained United Methodist Pastor and graduate of Duke Divinity School. He and his wife, Amy, lived in Raleigh, North Carolina with their three children. In 2017 he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. In his book, How Cancer Cured Me, he shares many ways he experienced God’s healing. After a 7 year battle with cancer, David is now joyously singing praises in God’s glorious throne room. His legacy lives on through his writing for Cancer Companions, as he continues to proclaim Christ’s hope and healing power to others experiencing cancer. https://www.davidgira.com/how-cancer-cured-me
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.
