Curing Cancer

QUESTION: What is a roadblock to curing cancer completely in our lives?

ANSWER:

What is a roadblock to curing cancer completely in our lives? Traditionally, a roadblock serves as a checkpoint regarding potential hazards. However, when addressing the subject of curing cancer a roadblock represents “a situation or condition preventing further progress toward a goal.” Even early diagnosis and advanced treatments cannot circumvent the barrier of uncertainty and unrest that deters our well-being. Unknowingly, the cancer patient/survivor is robbed of a successful recovery. Peace of mind becomes an impossible goal.

All of us face circumstances that place us in a stressful state of mind. It is normal, even healthy, to respond to bad news or unfortunate events with the deepest of emotions. But to allow one’s thoughts to be consumed by hopelessness is not healthy. When diagnosed with cancer, a patient will tolerate extreme measures to eradicate the disease from their body. Yet the eradication of infectious thoughts is met with negligible effort. We need to seriously consider some roadblocks that demand our attention.

Our lifestyle has a direct correlation to curing cancer. If managing life as a cancer survivor is causing an anxiety overload, we must take the necessary steps to make changes. We need to evaluate our lifestyle:

• Do we weigh our hearts down with resentment or regret? A permanent physical change, dreams and careers seemingly derailed -- both impose an imponderable weight. God values our well-being. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus”(Philippians 4:6–7).
  
  
• Are we trying to cope with events beyond our limitations -- physical and emotional? Realizing that our resources are limited compels us to depend on another source. The Bible is full of ordinary people who had their lives made extraordinary by God (Genesis 45:4–8; Exodus 14:10–14, 21, 26; John 6:8–11; John 20:11–18).
  
  
• Are we living under a time pressure? Have we eliminated or drastically altered some of our pre-cancer goals, with expectations of a shorter lifespan? Robert has prostate cancer. An on-line “test” gave him an average life expectancy of five years. “That was the best news I ever heard!” Robert’s perspective is extremely optimistic...he’s 90 years old!
  
  Physicians agree that the right motivation plays a significant factor in curing cancer. What is prompting us to attain a peaceful attitude?
  
  
• We need to ask “Why are we clinging to certain emotions?” Is it because people are influencing us with their disheartening attitudes. Family and friends may have the best intentions, but unknowingly squeeze us into a “less than before” mold. Responses like, “you poor thing” and “tough break” certainly are not motivating. Are you listening to the wrong voices, or a voice that is unwavering and uplifting (John 14:27)?
  
  
• What are you willing to let go of? We want to be free of the physical effects of disease, but are we motivated to let go of the stereotypical “cancer victim” status? Peace is never passive -- it requires that we take initiative to achieve supernatural results. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way that you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is” (Romans 12:2).

The greatest roadblock to having peace is doubt. We can ask ourselves, “How can I achieve the peace God provides?” God’s nature and His attitude toward us never change -- it’s our nature and attitude that change. We can’t just accept a PIECE of God. . .we must accept the entire PEACE of God which is “far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.”