“The Blessing of Cancer”
“I was given a physical condition which has been a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to hurt and bother me and assail my pride.” -Apostle Paul, II Corinthians 12:7, The Living Bible.
“Don’t stop living.” -Surgical Nurse, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Birmingham.
No, cancer is not good. Unequivocally, cancer in and of itself is NOT good. It is a scourge, thrust upon us in the Fall. Far too many have experienced its ravenous appetite for destruction.
So, how could I possibly call cancer a “blessing?” It’s a non sequitur.
Because I believe the Word of God. I do. No, really, I do. I believe that the Bible is true. I believe…
Like Joseph observed in Genesis 50, “what was intended for evil, God has used for good.” Through cancer, I have been privileged to share the Gospel and the goodness of God in more places to more people than I could have imagined. Without cancer, that would not have happened.
Like Paul expounded in II Corinthians 12, the “thorn in my flesh” (of cancer) has enabled me to experience the depth of God’s grace, a grace that has sustained me through hundreds of blood draws and chemo infusions, two bone marrow transplants, three hospitalizations, and various other procedures over the past seven years. His grace truly is sufficient! I can testify to that reality. Without cancer, that would not have happened.
Like the writer of Hebrews encouraged us to do in chapter 12, I have done my best “to run with endurance the race God has set before me.” At the conclusion of my very first bone marrow biopsy, a wise and compassionate nurse at St. Vincent’s offered the following words of life: “Don’t stop living. So many people allow cancer to take over their lives, and they stop living.” I took her words to heart, and I live by them to this very day! Without cancer, that would not have happened.
Like John in Revelation 21, who so beautifully and powerfully wrote that one Great Day, God is going to make “all things new,” and on that Day, “He will wipe every tear from our eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever!” I now anticipate, with joyful expectation, that Great Day when the scourge of cancer will be obliterated by the King of kings and the Lord of Lords! Without cancer, this would not have happened.
No, cancer is not good—BUT GOD IS! And through the “blessing of cancer,” He has taught me more of His Truth and revealed more of Himself to me than I otherwise would have known. For that, I am blessed and eternally grateful.
A fellow beggar along the way,
Greg