Hi, I’m Joni, and welcome to a new week with Joni and Friends.
No doubt you’ve heard me talk about my battle against breast cancer and, looking back over the months, back to that day in the radiology clinic when I first learned about the mass, I’ve often wondered, “How did I get cancer?” Now, sure, I realize they don’t know what causes cancer, but I’d sure like to blame someone or something. Like, okay, cell phones or microwaves or satellite dishes or living too close to power lines, or Aspartame – that could have caused cancer – or all the Lean Cuisines I eat for lunch, you know, processed and genetically modified foods, or at least foods that have been sprayed with pesticides. Who knows! They tell me that cancer happens when the cell loses its capacity to stop dividing itself – something (I have no idea what) but something is damaging the little gene that normally stops cell growth. And whatever that is, I’d sure love to blame it.
Isn’t it funny how it’s in our nature to want to blame something or somebody when bad things happen? How we would dearly love to be able to fault anyone else for life’s difficulties – a boss who is unreasonable; friends and family who take unfair advantage; banks that show no mercy in calling a loan; or even Satan himself for afflictions that hinder us from enduring a comfortable life. Come to think of it, yeah! Let’s blame that devil. It’s all his fault, this stupid cancer! Sounds like something he’d do; something to trip me up, try to get me off track. Yeah, it’s all the devil’s fault.
But (at least in the story of Job) let’s look who’s really ready to take the “blame.” I’m sure you know who first brought up the subject of affliction, and it’s good to remind ourselves today of God’s words in Job 1:8 for “the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job?’” Wow! God inasmuch handed Job over to the devil and his schemes with, of course, some very clear restrictions. Still, it meant death and destruction in that first chapter. And if that weren’t enough, after his children and herds perish, and when Satan appears again before God in the second chapter, the Lord brings up the subject of Job again! Most people have no trouble with the subject of God’s sovereignty – it’s clear to them from Scripture who to blame!
Ah, but here’s the catch. When it comes to God’s sovereign control over how and to what extent bad things like cancer or other diseases happen, there’s no blame we can lay at his feet. Blame implies that God has done something wrong, something unwise or foolish or uncaring. And that’s impossible – it’s clear to us from Scripture that when God allows a bad medical report, it’s always with a good and pure motive. We may not be able to discern his plan or purpose on this side of eternity, but God always allows suffering for wise and good reasons.
I talk a little bit about this in a wonderful little booklet we’ve titled “God’s Word on Disability” and I’d love to send you a copy. It’s full of practical tips on handling those bad medical reports, as well as some of my favorite devotional writings and, on the last few pages, a whole list of biblical references on the subject of suffering; a whole page, in fact, on its benefits to our souls. I’d like to send you your free copy of “God’s Word on Disability” so visit our radio page at joniandfriends.org. Again, that’s joniandfriends.org. I’ll tell you, going back over some of those Bible verses as I deal with this cancer, well… it’s really helped keep me focused. And I have a feeling it’ll do the same for you.
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