By Dr. Richard Blackaby
“You don’t have cancer.”
I heard those words from my doctor yesterday, shortly after I woke up from a drug-induced stupor. Few phrases are more exhilarating or appreciated!
Over the past few months, I experienced abdominal discomfort. I also felt other concerning symptoms. As an amateur physician (after all, I have been to the doctor lots of times and have even watched a few medical documentaries . . .), I concluded that I had colon cancer or a tumor. The symptoms all pointed toward a terrible diagnosis. Of course, cancer is such a heinous disease that our minds tend to immediately imagine the worst possible scenario. Two universal rules of the human condition come into play here. First, once you become concerned about your health, you notice even the slightest degree of discomfort. Many of those pains would not usually have given me a second thought, but, in my concerned state, they appeared to be indisputable evidence that something was terribly wrong. Second, the moment you begin to think you have a medical problem, you will inevitably see dozens of Facebook and Twitter posts about people who suffered and died from the very illness you think you have. (I was experiencing these health concerns over Father’s Day, and I can’t tell you how many people posted a tribute to their father who had died of colon or prostate cancer.)
So I began a tedious round of medical tests to diagnose my problem. I went to my doctor, and he immediately noticed an apparent irregularity with my heart. In seeking answers for one ailment, my doctor found another! Then came a series of doctor’s appointments, followed by waiting. One by one, the reports came back, and they were all good. The most definitive test was yesterday. Few statements are more pleasing than when a doctor says, “You don’t have cancer.” What a relief!
God taught me several important lessons through this journey. Let me share them with you.
First, I developed more compassion for those who don’t receive good news. Sitting in a room filled with people who are waiting to hear their doctor’s diagnosis is sobering. I have resolved to pray more diligently for anyone I know who is going through a tough medical ordeal.
Second, the experience gave me a fresh perspective. I realized that we are all one doctor’s appointment away from a terribly disrupted life. When you are waiting to hear whether you have cancer, other concerns seem less urgent. And when the doctor says you are cancer-free, your mood radically improves! A rude driver might honk as you exit the parking lot, but it doesn’t even bother you. It’s a shame we don’t live our entire lives with an acute sense of what matters.
Finally, while waiting for my test results, I needed a word from God. I picked up my Bible and decided to read whichever psalm I turned to first. I opened to Psalm 34. I don’t know how familiar you are with that chapter, but here are some verses that jumped off the page to me:
4) I sought the Lord, and He heard me. And delivered me from all my fears.
6) This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
17) The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18) The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart. And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
19)Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
I can’t tell you how comforting these verses were to me during that time of uncertainty and concern. I was relieved to know that I could turn to God at any time and He would hear me and save me. This psalm reminded me that even the most powerful leaders reach the end of their strength and wisdom. David, the psalmist, was a mighty warrior, yet he faced a situation that was beyond him. He acknowledged that “many” are the afflictions of the righteous. We are not exempt from difficulties, but we never have to face them alone.
I don’t know what you are going through. Perhaps you, too, are in a confusing place. Perhaps you are afraid of the future. Let me encourage you to cry out to the Lord and ask Him to deliver you from your fears. His eyes are upon you. He will not disappoint.
