Trusting God's Sovereignty in the Midst of Cancer

No Maverick Cells in Me

A Reflection on God's Sovereignty in the Midst of Cancer

Two hours ago, I received a phone call that shook me to my core. A dear friend, whose adult son has been battling cancer, just received the devastating news that his condition is terminal. This would be the second child my friend has lost to this dreadful disease. It is moments like these that remind me of the fragility of life and the uncertainty that hangs over our heads.

As I reflect on my own experience with cancer, I am struck by the ironies that surrounded it. It all started with a routine checkup with my urologist, where I had been dealing with the symptoms of an enlarged prostate for years. Little did I know that this seemingly ordinary appointment would change the course of my life.

Routine Exam, Everything Changes

It was our thirty-seventh wedding anniversary when I went in for a biopsy for prostate cancer. The timing seemed almost poetic, as if fate was playing a cruel joke on us. And to add to the irony, my surgery to remove the cancerous gland was scheduled for Valentine's Day. I couldn't help but smile at the absurdity of it all, even though cancer is anything but a laughing matter.

But amidst the irony and uncertainty, one thing remained steadfast — my faith in God's sovereignty. I am reminded of the words of Psalm 139:13-16:

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."

These words remind us that God is intimately involved in the formation of our bodies and the numbering of our days. Cancer may seem like a ruthless invader, but in the grand tapestry of God's plan, it is not a rogue cell that has slipped through his fingers. Every day of our lives has been written in his book, and there are no maverick cells that can derail his purposes.

When faced with the uncertainty of cancer, I found solace in the promises of God's word. One verse that became my anchor during this storm is Romans 8:28:

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

This verse reminded me that even in the midst of trials and tribulations, God is working all things together for our good. Cancer may seem like a tragic detour in our lives, but God can use it for his purposes. It is through the darkest valleys that we often experience the deepest intimacy with our Heavenly Father.

Trusting in God's Sovereignty

Trusting in God's sovereignty does not mean that we will always understand why things happen the way they do. In fact, the mysteries of God's ways are often beyond our comprehension. But what it does mean is that we can have confidence in his wisdom and love, even in the midst of the storm.

As I navigated the uncertainties of my own cancer journey, I was reminded of the story of Job. Job, a righteous man, faced unimaginable suffering and loss. He questioned God, he wrestled with his circumstances, and he cried out in anguish. Yet, in the end, Job came to a place of surrender and trust.

Job's response to his suffering was not one of resignation or defeat, but rather a declaration of faith in God's sovereignty. In Job 42:2, he says:

"I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted."

Job recognized that God's purposes cannot be thwarted, even in the face of unimaginable pain and suffering. This is a truth that we can hold onto in the midst of our own battles with cancer, or any other trial we may face in life.

Finding Hope in the Midst of Cancer

When faced with a cancer diagnosis, it is natural to experience fear, anxiety, and despair. But as believers, we have a hope that transcends our circumstances. Our hope is not rooted in the absence of suffering, but rather in the presence of a loving and sovereign God who walks with us through every valley.

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Isaiah 43:2:

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."

These words remind us that God is with us in the midst of our trials. He will not allow the waters to overwhelm us or the fire to consume us. We may pass through deep waters and fiery trials, but we can take comfort in the fact that we are not alone.

When I think about cancer, I am reminded of a raging storm. It is tumultuous, unpredictable, and often leaves destruction in its wake. But just as a lighthouse stands firm amidst the crashing waves, so too can we stand firm in the face of cancer, knowing that our God is with us.

Conclusion

Cancer is a formidable opponent, but it is no match for the sovereignty of God. As we navigate the uncertainties and challenges of this disease, let us hold fast to the promises of his word. Let us trust in his wisdom and love, knowing that he is working all things together for our good. And let us find hope in the midst of the storm, knowing that we are not alone.

May we, like Job, declare with confidence, "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted." And may we find peace and strength in the presence of our loving and sovereign God, even in the face of cancer.