Lisa Stringer shares her thoughts, prayers, and advice for those battling cancer and other issues that can either be a roadblock in a Christian’s walk of faith or a ladder that can help one climb ever higher.Whitaker House
Day 1
Scriptures: Exodus 23:25, Psalms 23:1-4
Trusting in the Lord
The day we learned of my husband Doug’s cancer diagnosis, I cried out to the Lord. “Please God, protect my husband, mend his hurting heart, and comfort him in his time of need. You are the one true living God who speaks to Your people. Give him strength, God. Your Word says that You never give us more than we can handle—and God, without You, I don’t think we can handle this.… God, Doug is hurting now and I don’t want him to hurt. I’m hurting and I need You to know that I don’t understand why You let this happen…but I’m going to trust You. I am not mad at You, but I don’t understand right now. I do know this: we have trusted You in the past and we are going to trust You now.”
In the midst of my talk with God, I was going through my fair share of tissues as tears continued to stream down my face. Also, at some point in the midst of my petitions to the Lord, I shifted my prayers to declarations over Doug and our family. For the next several minutes, I put on the armor of God and the warrior princess spirit in me came alive.
I picked up one of the many Bibles that Doug keeps on his lampstand and I began to raise the sword of the Spirit with authority, declaring His word over Douglas. I remember saying with a loud voice, “Douglas, you shall live and not die!” I paced the floor and continued to read the Scripture out loud and added our names wherever appropriate, making it personal to our family and circumstance. I continued on until my spirit fully believed what I was declaring and peace came upon me.
There is something about reading Psalm 23 and trusting He is able to do what it says. To experience the peace that comes from the words penned by King David, one must truly trust. I have heard Doug mention many times that we are all given a measure of faith. (See Luke 17:6.) The question is not whether we have faith, as the Bible clearly states that we are all given a measure of it. The question is whether we trust God to do what He says He will do. Trust makes all the difference.
Day 2
Scriptures: Isaiah 41:10, Proverbs 18:4
God Is the Great Physician
My husband Doug posted this on my Facebook page: “The Lord is gracious and kind, full of mercy and love. Our God reigns! He is the Great Physician.”
He was speaking life over himself and encouraging us all along the way, again acknowledging God was Jehovah Rapha, our Healer, and the Doctor of all doctors. If it were not for the Word of God that uplifts, I would have spent most of my time depressed and without authentic hope for healing.
Every day, we were encouraged by different Scriptures; our chosen Scripture for that day was Isaiah 41:10. The prophet shared this Word from God: “Do not fear!” That is something often easily said, but not always easy to walk in. Yet we can receive it because God said it and He means it. Our all-knowing and all-powerful God knew these very words could give us courage in times of weakness. He tells us not be afraid, discouraged, or upset because nothing takes Him by surprise.
Essentially, for those of us who choose to trust Him, He is saying, “I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I’ve got this and I am more than able. Just don’t lose faith.”
Yes, God heals, but we do our part by exercising our faith, by being intentional in reading the Word of God daily and spending time in prayer.
The mind is a powerful tool. I have heard stories of people who were healthy but bought into a lie that they were sick and consequently began to feel ill until they were physically defeated.
For many of us, it is not that we don’t believe healing can come; we just wonder if it can or will come for us. The thought of trusting for big miracles can be a challenge in and of itself. Too often, we hear of seemingly impossible situations become miraculous testimonies for His glory, but fail to embrace that we too can experience them. We believe it can happen for someone else but doubt greatly for ourselves. Many of us feel unworthy of His mercy, touch, and favor, yet the Bible reminds us we are saved “not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy[which] he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:5–6).
Day 3
Scriptures: Acts 20:24, Proverbs 17:22
Focus on the Destination
No matter what roadblock you are dealing with, remember that it’s not your destination; don’t let it be your focus. Ultimately, all Christians have the same destination: to live out Acts 20:24, finishing our race with joy by sharing the gospel and the love of Christ with everyone we meet. God has given you an assignment and mission to complete. Don’t quit, no matter what.
Maybe studying your route, planning a new one, or taking a detour will help you finish your race. I will not tell you what I think you should do, other than follow your heart. When we were dealing with my husband’s cancer, some suggested that I stay completely away from the Internet. Doing research on whatever trial you’re facing can be a means to gather experiences and better understand what you may encounter in your journey. However, some may find too much information is an added source of stress.
You will know what to do; just allow His peace to rule over you. Don’t allow what you read to break or crush you. If it knocks you down, change your reading material, go offline, and pick up His Word. Allow Him to help you stand once more.
Some friends and family members will give you a deep well of love, support, encouragement, and peace by sharing prayers and Scriptures with you, helping you to focus on the destination. Others may offer unwanted, bold opinions and information that’s contrary to what you’ve learned on your own. Assume that they mean well and try to give them some grace.
Doug often says, “Discouragement is a powerful drug that can distract us from our intended destination, and focusing on our disappointments can lead to disillusionment that will distract us from God’s intended destiny for each of us. During these times, it’s important to remember that God has a plan and a purpose far greater than the temporary circumstances that plague us.”
Any challenge you are facing today is just that—a challenge. Quiet your spirit, listen for God’s instructions for you, and let Him encourage you as you follow His voice. Hold on to a vision of hope.
Day 4
Scriptures: Joshua 1:9, Jeremiah 17:7
Be Strong and Courageous
We never know how long our trials will last. We want to believe with the many who are praying for us that our troubles will be over quickly. But no matter how long it takes, we can be confident that God is with us and this too shall pass. We can also choose to encourage others as they reassure us through our journey in the valley. Through it all, we must never forget to thank God for the mountaintop experiences in the past and the one in the future that we are believing for.
Being strong, courageous, and trusting in the Lord is always easier when things are good. But when they are bad, we must trust the same, standing strong in God’s strength.
While dealing with my husband Doug’s battle with cancer, I shed many tears. I had moments where something would trigger a runaway tear, a light cry, or even an uncontrollable, seemingly never-ending flood. The tears are all a part of my story, a testimony of love, pain, trust, and even joy in the midst of our encountered storm. My trust in God never wavered; in fact, it was because I trusted in Him, no matter the outcome, that I was able to bounce back from the sentimental detours.
Doug tells us, “Our personal crucibles of experience can often become a tutor along our life’s journey” and “each life experience can become a life lesson that becomes a part of our life message.”
This journey certainly gave us experiences, sometimes on a daily basis, that would mature us in unique ways. Until the day our time on earth is over and we enter the portals of eternity, I am sure that much of what we lived will forever be a part of our life message. God is able!
We always meant what we prayed and believed with our hearts that healing would come. Ultimately, one way or another, our faith led us to believing that we would find our healing. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Not everyone’s story will be the same. I don’t know why some live and others enter the portals of eternity sooner than expected, but I do know that God is faithful. Take courage. Trust Him and choose to pray with faith that moves mountains.
Day 5
Scriptures: Psalms 4:1, Philippians 4:6
Make Prayer Your Steering Wheel
The activist Corrie ten Boom once asked, “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” Many of us find ourselves remembering to pray when we are in a desperate situation. We hope to touch the heart of God with our passionate, heartfelt prayers. In our brokenness, we often get lost in desperate prayer and lose track of time.
In our season of rest, joy, health, and financial peace, many embrace the “spare tire prayer tactic,” praying a quick minute or two and calling it a day. During this time, we rarely wash our mind with the Word of God or spend time worshipping Him simply for who He is. But we need to make prayer our steering wheel at all times. Without spending a lot of time with God when times are good, how will we know how to reach Him in times of trouble?
Dealing with something like cancer or another overwhelming challenge is like driving your car in the middle of a fierce storm. Rain beats against the car and strong winds rock it to and fro. Your visibility is limited; you struggle to see the way ahead. You lean forward as close as you can to the steering wheel, hoping for a better view, your grip so tight that your palms are clammy and sweaty. The windshield wipers might be going full speed, but they don’t seem to be helping much.
We need to hang on to that steering wheel when the weather is perfect, too, using prayer to help us journey through life and setting our sights on the kingdom.
As we were going through my husband’s fight with cancer, someone asked Doug how he could pray for healing in others if he himself had a big need. They asked, “Why hasn’t God healed you yet?” and “How can you actually believe that God can heal others?”
Doug explained, “Our circumstance doesn’t change who God is, but God can change our circumstance. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever! He is more than able and God’s timing is always perfect.”
There is no doubt that God is in control—and He is still in the healing business. Sometimes, our healing comes on earth; others times, it comes in heaven.