Not Alone, May 15
Written by Karen Wonders
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 ESV).
Maureen was a busy mom of three young boys. Between trips to baseball practice and playdates, she began to notice a dull ache in her hip. At first, she brushed it off. “It is probably just the start of arthritis or something,” she told herself. After all, her 35th birthday was quickly approaching. She was sure that things in her body would soon start to slow down! Yet, that ache didn’t go away. In fact, it grew worse. So much so, that after a few months, Maureen decided to mention it to her doctor. Her anxiety quickly turned to relief when her physician seemed to brush it off; yet he ordered a test just to put her mind at ease. However, just a few days later—one week before her 35th birthday—Maureen was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.
Over the next several months, Maureen endured seven different surgeries and several rounds of chemotherapy. Her hair fell out, and the chemo caused sores to form all over her face and mouth. She was too sick to get out of bed and spent an entire summer in her room. She had blackout curtains installed so she couldn’t see outside her windows. She didn’t want to know what she was missing.
Those months were very lonely for Maureen. Her youngest was too young to understand what was happening to his mom and just wanted her to play with him. Her older two boys became very angry and distant. Her husband engrossed himself in his work and outside activities. Maureen felt completely alone—so alone that she couldn’t even pray anymore. Her family had abandoned her, so she was quite sure that God had done the same.
But, as Maureen discovered, God doesn’t leave us alone! His Word promises over and over again that He is with us! He doesn’t leave or forsake us. We belong to Him! We are free to go to Him, no matter what the situation! God understands our sufferings, because He is a God who suffers! Consider the life of Christ—people plotted to kill Him, He was betrayed by a close friend, His followers denied knowing Him and abandoned Him, He was arrested, spit on, and beaten. Isaiah 53:3 called Him a “man of sorrows” from whom people turned away to avoid seeing His face. Ultimately, He died for crimes He did not commit.
Sometimes, when we look to the sufferings of others, our own pain doesn’t seem so intense. Focusing on the cross allows us to take our eyes off of ourselves. Jesus experienced hardship, just as we do. Therefore, our suffering has a purpose. It changes us. It makes us more like Jesus!
No matter how deep your pain, no matter how lonely you are—even if the whole world has turned their back on you, you have not lost everything. You are being held by the One who created you. He will sustain you. Trust Him to be enough!
Pray: Father God, You are enough! You are all I need. Help me to cling to that truth, even when my world is crashing down around me. Sustain me and surround me with Your love. Give me eyes to see only You. In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.
Your Turn: Jesus is enough! What is preventing you from believing that?
Karen Y. Wonders, PhD, FACSM, Cancer Caregiver
Karen is the Founder and CEO of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, and Professor/Program Director of Exercise Physiology at Wright State University. Her passion is to advocate for exercise as part of the national standard of care for cancer. Her non-profit organization provides free exercise training to thousands of cancer survivors every month (www.mapletreecanceralliance.org). Dr. Wonders and her husband have 7 children—aged 16 and younger. If you think her hands are full, you should see her heart!
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.
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