October 1
For “Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; …”
1 Peter 3:10
One of the easiest reactions many of us have to cancer is to get angry and - then to stay angry. While anger can mobilize us into needed actions, failure to resolve anger healthily can mire us in bitterness and needless pain. But when we choose to move beyond our anger and look for the blessings in our circumstances – the opportunities, the new insights, the strength we never knew we had – we inherit so much more than we can ever imagine. That inheritance of hope and understanding is what will under gird us to see us through.
I often don’t even begin to realize how much help I receive when I look to you, O God. It’s easier to delve into the negative than it is to discover the positive. I need to see something good today. Help me to see it more than I ever have before. Amen.
October 2
He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me; for they were too mighty for me.
II Samuel 22:18
None of us can go through life alone, without help or guidance. It’s even more the case when cancer enters our lives. The path it forces upon us can often be incredibly overwhelming. We simply cannot navigate its course by ourselves. We need tremendous support along the way. The most important source of support is God. Nothing we do is as significant unless we place our hand into God’s, for God to show us the best way to go. We need God’s perfect understanding to lead us. Without it, we are left wanting for all that we need.
I know you never leave my side, faithful God. Your vigilance and protection against the threats around me are always there. I cannot thank you enough for caring for me like this. Amen.
October 3
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
3 John: 11
The best way to overcome evil is to model what is good. Our baser impulses often propel us to react negatively to bad circumstances in our lives. Ultimately that gets us nowhere. Our best reaction to cancer comes in a constant recognition of the blessings around us. We must create blessings too – constructing positive thoughts, resisting the urge to follow through on negative impulses and seeking positive people and positive situations to support us. Just as evil produces more evil, goodness produces more goodness in amazing – and healing - ways.
It is far too easy to fall into traps of negativity and despair. I know I do it too much. But today I look to you, dear God, to help me stay out of nonconstructive situations. Amen.
October 4
For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?
II Samuel 22:32
This world can disappoint. People often let us down. Promises get broken. Problems continue to arise around us. Often against our own best efforts, we continue to be battered with heartbreak and pain. Cancer is a huge disappointment. Our bodies let us down, even when we do everything we think is right. But in this life there is One who never lets us down, never breaks promises, never presents us with problems. This One never batters us, breaks our hearts or brings us pain. God – the One - does not disappoint, because God loves us infinitely and perfectly. When we understand that, we can find tremendous hope and peace in knowing that we are cared for – always.
You are the One who gives me all I need. You are the One who cares for me even more than I care for myself. You are the One who loves me perfectly. You are the One to whom I turn today to show me your gracious way. Amen.
October 5
… my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.
II Samuel 22:3c,d
Over and over again, the refrain from the scriptures announces that God is steadfast, strong, and wanting to save us. Verse after verse reminds us that we have a source of incredible help in our times of distress. When we are quick to forget that there is a source of hope for us, these words return us to the hope. When we are likely to give up in the midst of our struggle with disease, these words urge us to remember that we have greater help than we ever knew. This refrain is repeated constantly in the scriptures because we need to hear it constantly – in order to remember, in order to allow the words to enter and remain in our thoughts and lives.
Dear God, the temptations to live in pessimism and despair are too great at times. There are days when I just don’t have the energy for the fight. I need to know that you are strong and that you are right here to help me get through this day. Thank you for the reminder. Amen.
October 6
“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world …”
John 17:6a
Holy. Sacred. Revered. Each of these describes God’s name. We can keep on adding other words that begin to define who God is. We can add them forever, because the list will never be finished. God is so strong, so vast, so good, so loving, so forgiving, so …. You fill in the blanks. The descriptions are endless. And that’s the point to remember today. God’s power to help us, to heal us, to comfort us, to care for us is endless, infinite, forever. Do not forget that today – and anytime the day is rough. Go to God for your strength and hope, because God can do far more than we can comprehend.
God of endless possibilities, I look to you today from my place of limitation. I look to you because I know you can open up my heart and my understanding. I look to you with confidence, knowing you will give me infinite blessings and help. Amen.
October 7
From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry came to his ears.
II Samuel 22:7b
When we are likely to feel that God isn’t listening or doesn’t seem to care, scriptures like these remind us that our prayers do go somewhere. God does listen. God does care. Our cries for help, for mercy, for relief and for healing do not fall into empty space. Instead, our cries go to God and God does act to give us all that we need. Do not give up on calling out for God’s guidance and support. God’s ability to listen – and act - far exceeds our ability to understand. We need to trust in God’s ability, even when we don’t understand how vast and great it is.
I pray for the reassurance of your listening ear, O God. To know that you really do care about my needs means the world to me. Your love reassures me and motivates me. Thank you. Amen.
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