Don't Waste Cancer: Finding Purpose and Hope in the Midst of Suffering

Cancer. It's a word that strikes fear into the hearts of many. The mere mention of it can bring about feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and despair. But what if I told you that cancer doesn't have to be wasted? What if I told you that there is a purpose behind it, a reason for its existence? In this article, we will explore the idea that cancer is not wasted when it is healed by God, and how we can avoid wasting it in our own lives.

Let's start by addressing the idea that cancer is not wasted when it is healed by God. As believers, we understand that God is sovereign and in control of all things. He has the power to heal, both through miraculous means and through medicine. When we pray for healing, we are acknowledging God's ability to heal and expressing our trust in Him. It is right and good to pray for both kinds of healing, because ultimately, healing is a gift from God.

But what if healing is not God's plan for everyone? What if the cancer remains despite our prayers and efforts? Does that mean that God has abandoned us? Absolutely not. There are many other ways to waste cancer, and it is our responsibility to ensure that we do not fall into these traps.

One way to waste cancer is by not believing that God designed it for us. It may be difficult to comprehend, but God permits things in our lives for a reason. He is infinitely wise, and His purposes are beyond our understanding. Just as He allowed Satan to strike Job with boils, He may allow cancer to enter our lives. This does not mean that He is causing the cancer, but rather that He has a purpose for it. It is up to us to trust in His plan and seek His guidance throughout our journey with cancer.

Another way to waste cancer is by viewing it as a curse rather than a gift. Yes, cancer is a terrible disease that causes pain and suffering. But as believers, we know that God can bring good out of even the most difficult circumstances. Just as Christ became a curse for us to redeem us from the curse of the law, cancer can be a means for God to deepen our faith and reliance on Him. It is not easy to see cancer as a gift, but when we shift our perspective and trust in God's sovereignty, we can begin to find purpose and meaning in our suffering.

One trap that many people fall into is seeking comfort from statistics and medical treatments rather than from God. It is natural to want to know our odds of survival and to seek out the best medical treatments available. However, our ultimate comfort should come from God, not from the numbers or treatments. God's design in our cancer is to knock the props out from under our hearts so that we rely utterly on Him. It is through our weakness that His strength is made perfect, and it is through our dependence on Him that we find true comfort and peace.

Death. It's a topic that many of us shy away from. We don't like to think about our mortality or what will happen when we leave this life. But avoiding thoughts of death is a waste of cancer. It is through the reality of death that we are reminded of the brevity of life and the need to live each day to its fullest. As the psalmist says, "Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." When we confront the reality of death, we are able to live with greater intentionality and purpose.

Another way to waste cancer is by believing that "beating" cancer means staying alive rather than cherishing Christ. Our culture often tells us that the ultimate goal is to stay alive, to fight against death at all costs. But as believers, we know that our true goal is to know and cherish Christ. Cancer does not win if we die. It wins if we fail to cherish Christ. God's design is to wean us off the breast of the world and feast us on the sufficiency of Christ. It is meant to help us say and feel, "To live is Christ, and to die is gain."

It is easy to get caught up in reading about cancer, trying to gather as much information as possible. But in doing so, we may neglect to spend time reading about God. Cancer is meant to awaken us to the reality of God, to deepen our relationship with Him. As the psalmist says, "Blessed is the man who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night." When we prioritize our relationship with God over our knowledge of cancer, we are able to find true peace and strength.

Cancer can be isolating. It can make us want to retreat into ourselves, to shut out the world and wallow in our suffering. But this is a waste of cancer. God's design is for us to deepen our relationships with others, to show love and affection to those around us. Just as Paul longed for the Philippian church and was distressed when they heard of his illness, we should seek to build deep and meaningful connections with others. Cancer is an opportunity to bear witness to the truth and glory of Christ, to show that He is worth more than life itself.

Grief is a natural response to loss, and it is okay to grieve when faced with a cancer diagnosis. But as believers, we grieve with hope. We know that this life is not the end, that there is a glorious eternity awaiting us. As Paul says, "We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." Our grief is permeated with hope, and it is through this hope that we find strength and comfort.

Cancer can also be a catalyst for change. It can expose and bring to light our besetting sins, the areas of our lives where we struggle and fall short. When faced with cancer, we have a choice. Will we continue to treat sin casually, or will we allow cancer to crush our sinful desires and draw us closer to God? Cancer is meant to help us see the futility of sin, to remind us of the eternal weight of glory that awaits us. It is through our battle with cancer that we can find victory over sin and experience the transforming power of God's grace.

Finally, cancer is an opportunity to bear witness to the truth and glory of Christ. Just as Jesus told His disciples that their persecution would be an opportunity to bear witness, so too can cancer be an opportunity for us to share our faith with others. As the apostle Peter says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." Cancer may be a difficult and painful journey, but it is also a chance to shine the light of Christ in the midst of darkness.

In conclusion, cancer is not wasted when it is healed by God. Whether through miraculous means or through medicine, healing is a gift from God. But even when healing does not come, there are many ways to avoid wasting cancer. We must trust in God's design and purpose for our lives, viewing cancer as an opportunity to deepen our faith and reliance on Him. We must seek comfort and strength from God, not from statistics or medical treatments. We must confront the reality of death and live with intentionality and purpose. We must cherish Christ above all else, knowing that to live is Christ and to die is gain. We must prioritize our relationship with God over our knowledge of cancer. We must deepen our relationships with others, showing love and affection in the midst of suffering. We must grieve with hope, knowing that this life is not the end. We must battle with sin, allowing cancer to crush our sinful desires and draw us closer to God. And finally, we must bear witness to the truth and glory of Christ, using our cancer as an opportunity to share our faith with others.

Cancer is a difficult and painful journey, but it is not wasted when we trust in God's plan and purpose. It is through our struggles and suffering that we can find strength, hope, and ultimately, victory. So let us not waste our cancer, but rather embrace it as a means to draw closer to God and shine His light in the world.