Removing the Cancers from Our Lives

Since 2020 I have been living with the knowledge that I have, and probably will have, skin cancer for the rest of my life.

The skin cancer is a result of the way I lived prior.

So now that I’m aware of my skin cancer, I have chosen to live differently. I regularly see a doctor for check ups, preventative lifestyle changes (e.g., sunscreen, hats, stay indoors during prime time, etc.) and aggressive medical maintenance (freezing, creams that melt your skin, and more). That result from the maintenance in the moment can be pretty ugly looking, but the ultimate results are beautiful because it rids me of pre-cancerous and cancerous cells.

This experience with cancer has reminded me of our experience in Christ. There are consequences for the way that we have lived and in the decisions that we have made before our relationship with Christ began. But now that I know and recognize the various cancers (also known as sin in my life), I can bring them before Jesus, the great physician. In doing so, I allow him to heal what could kill me and bring new life to me. Through death, comes life.

Anger is one of the easiest sins in my life to overlook because it comes so naturally to me. I get angry at injustice, ignorance, lostness, lack of mature adulting (a growing problem in our society), and a few more things. I’d like to think that my anger is always a righteous anger, but it is not. Sometimes it is because it offends my personal preferences. However, scripture says that they are sin.

And like my skin cancer, if I don’t continually cut out the cancer of anger, it will have devastating effects on my heart, my soul, my relationships with others, and my relationship with God.

I notice that it starts out as a weed of bitterness. The fruit of the bitterness usually looks a lot like sarcasm. Sarcasm can temporarily feel like a salve to my psyche, but ultimately does not provide a complete healing and the cutting of my words brings harm and hurt to others - even if they don’t know the sarcasm running through my heart and mind.

Fyodor Dostoevsky says it this way, “Sarcasm: the last refuge of modest and chastesouled people when the privacy of their soul is coarsely and intrusively invaded.”

The Bible, in Ephesians says, “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

Well, what does all this mean? First, we all have cancer (sin). We all need the Great Physician to do what only he can do - cut the cancer out. Second, it hurts. You will feel it. Others will notice it too. Don’t let your pride keep you from experiencing the healing you want and need. Third, share your story of healing - it encourages others and reminds you of the blessings you have.

Well, off to the dermatologist I go. You won’t see me for a few days so that I don’t scare the kids while I look like a monster from a scary movie. Cancer gone, painful, but I got to keep fighting the good fight - there’s too much life to live.