When a diagnosis like cancer strikes, it’s easy to crumble and ask “God, why are you doing this?” The temptation to blame God and doubt His goodness at a time like this is very real.
While these thoughts and feelings might be a human reaction, allowing anger and bitterness to grip our hearts are as destructive as the disease itself and will deprive us of the Lord’s care guidance precisely at the time when we need Him the most.
Let’s examine this carefully.
1. God is not punishing you.
He is not cruel or sadistic. Neither is He sitting in Heaven indifferent to your suffering. Psalm 14: 18-20a assures us:
The Lord is near to all who call on Him,
To all who call on Him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him;
He hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love Him.
2. Enduring Love
I John 4:8 describes God as love and in 1:5 as light, and He does not change as the shifting shadows (James 1:16). He did not suddenly turn on you; in fact, His love for you never changes! While you are fighting for your life, remember that Jesus already gave His life for you out of the purest love and that by his wounds, we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5b)
3. A Fallen World
There are many reasons we get cancer. Our Standard American Diet is deficient in nutritious foods, and packed instead with sugar, sodium, artificial chemicals, fats, and refined flours. Many of our grains like wheat, rice and corn are full of mycotoxins which lead to fungus in the body—a precursor to cancer. Our sedentary lifestyles in front of the computer and media platforms mean we do not get enough exercise. Obesity and age are both risk factors in cancer. As a nation, we are over-fed, over-stressed, under-active, and sleep deprived. All of these factors can lead to disease. We do not need to blame God about it!
4. He is the Good Shepherd
Jesus refers to himself in John chapter 10 as the good shepherd. A shepherd by definition will stop at nothing—even sacrifice his own life—in the care, management and protection of his sheep. God is watching over you! The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. (Psalm 23:1) and, as Psalm 121:8 assures us: The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
5. Guard Your Heart
Do an inventory of your spiritual condition. Are you harboring anger and resentment against God—or anyone else? Are you gripped by fear, depression or despair? Is there unresolved grief in your life, or unconfessed sin? All of these issues create enormous mental and emotional stress. Stress suppresses the immune system and it’s a healthy immune system that will successfully fight off any disease, including cancer. Make it a point to do a spiritual and emotional detox and get your heart right with God again! Find a counselor or work with a pastor, share with a close friend… do whatever you need to heal your heart. It will speed up your healing when facing cancer!
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those
who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
6. Trust Him
The Bible never promises that we will be shielded from suffering in this world. While every Christian can attest to the richness of God’s blessings every day—too numerous to count—are we to turn our backs on Him when a painful trial strikes? It is during these times that we need to cling to Him tighter than ever! If you have Jesus in your boat He knows how to get you through the storm and safely to the other shore. Call out to Him today and trust Him with your life, your suffering, your future, your all!
Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
You can read more about keeping the right perspective in my book Healed, Healthy and Whole, How We Beat Cancer with Integrative Therapies and Essential Healing Strategies, www.healedhealthyandwhole.com. Please sign up for my free newsletter and let me know how our team can be praying for you!
Leave a Reply