I often consider my prostate cancer as “my problem.” I am focused on being maintained in a symptom-free condition for as long as possible, or potential treatments as needed and finally focused on not dying of the disease. But God sees my condition from a totally different viewpoint. From my personal perspective, it is often too easy for my trust to flounder and for my spiritual eyes to drift from God and Jesus to my disease. Once my focus shifts away from God, the problem becomes magnified. Such negative thinking can overwhelm faith and extinguish courage. We also tend to see obstacles such as prostate cancer in terms of our own strength and resources rather than God’s. Too often we miss God’s specific plan for us (which is always the best according to Romans 8:28 and Ephesians 2:10) because we view our disease as a problem instead of an opportunity.
God has a master plan for our good and it can even include a disease like prostate cancer. Had my cancer not recurred in 2002, I would not have launched this website (which I pray has been of some use to at least one person). When was the last time someone did something for you in a manner that was “exceedingly abundantly” more than you hoped for? To me, the word ‘abundantly’ means more than I need or want. ‘Exceedingly’ tells me it goes beyond what I perceive as needing or wanting. But the Bible states in Ephesians 3:20-21, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory ………in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever, Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21.) God’s ability and love are unlimited. The apostle Paul clearly understood this when he wrote in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Everything I need, He will provide in His time. Problems and roadblocks are a way for God to demonstrate His awesome power and for our own faith to grow and mature. When our focus shifts to a Godly perspective, gloom turns to gladness and we experience joy.
God doesn’t always show us the entire picture; often He reveals it little by little. Why? So we will learn to rely on Him daily for all we need and trust Him for tomorrow. This would not be the case if I as an individual saw my entire future in one snapshot. As long as God has the entire picture of my present and eternal life in His view and under His control, I don’t need to see it all. HE SEES IT ALL.
Coming shortly, update on new promising drug, MDV 3100.
