Storms of Life, November 23
By Karen Wonders
He said to His disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40 NIV)
How can you have a spirit of thankfulness when you’re told you might have breast cancer the evening before Thanksgiving?
How can you celebrate Christmas with your family when that diagnosis has become a reality and you are preparing for surgery four days later?
What kind of New Year’s resolutions do you make when you begin the New Year with four rounds of chemotherapy and twenty-one sessions of radiation?
These were the questions Toni had to answer just a few short months ago when she received her breast cancer diagnosis. The evening before Thanksgiving, she was enjoying time with her children who were home visiting from college. Between stories and laughter, loads of laundry, and turkey basting, she received a call from her OB/GYN. Knowing that it was rare for her doctor to call her at home—at night—the night before a holiday, she felt a pit start to form in her stomach. Toni had a routine mammogram a few days before. Her doctor was calling to tell her he wanted her to go in for further testing.
But cancer didn’t run in her family. This was only supposed to be a routine mammogram. She was healthy!
Yet, just a few short weeks later, Toni was wrapping Christmas presents, knowing she would have to endure a double mastectomy a few days after the holiday. Toni was caught in one of the biggest storms of her life. Toni had two choices—to either fall into despair, or to trust God.
In that moment, Toni made the decision to stand firm in her faith. She refused to let cancer bring her down, telling her family, “Cancer is only the end of the world if you let it.” She purposed to be a light in the oncology offices. God had given her a peace in this trial, and she wanted to show others what it meant to live out her faith.
In Mark chapter four, the disciples were also caught in a storm. Standing in the middle of the howling sea in the darkness of night, fear could have overtaken them. Yet, in the middle of their storm, they cried out to Christ. Although their faith was weak, they knew who had the power to preserve them.
In that moment, Jesus showed them what they needed to weather the storm. In the same manner, He still has the power to calm the storms in our hearts. This is what allowed Toni to stand firm in her faith, knowing that God would carry her through the storm. She trusted that if He was for her, no one—no cancer, for that matter—could stand against!
Pray: Father God, You are the giver of life, and You are our only true source of peace. You are the only One with the ability to calm the storms of life. When trials come, help us to keep our eyes fixed on You. When our faith begins to falter, pick us up and put our feet on solid ground. Give us a confidence in You, no matter what our circumstances may be. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Your Turn: Although many of Jesus’ disciples were skilled sailors, they were afraid when a storm hit their boat. Where are you feeling afraid, even though you feel like you should have faith? How will you trust God?
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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