Monday, June 16, 2008

John Piper on How Not To Waste Your Cancer

Is it possible to waste your cancer, yes if we do not use all things good and bad for God's glory. After John Piper received word that he had prostrate cancer he wrote this, so he is not someone that is just saying this, but is saying it from the heart. I gave a list of the 10 ways he posted on how not to waste one's cancer, the article has further commentary on each point from both Dr. Piper and David Powlison a biblical counselor.

This subject is close to my heart and is not posted as only a theological, cerebral argument, but really in times when cancer comes Christ is all we have that is sure, that is eternal and that gives everlasting joy.

Click HERE for the whole article, it is well worth the read, and worth printing.

I write this on the eve of prostate surgery. I believe in God’s power to heal—by miracle and by medicine. I believe it is right and good to pray for both kinds of healing. Cancer is not wasted when it is healed by God. He gets the glory and that is why cancer exists. So not to pray for healing may waste your cancer. But healing is not God’s plan for everyone. And there are many other ways to waste your cancer. I am praying for myself and for you that we will not waste this pain.

1.You will waste your cancer if you do not believe it is designed for you by God.

2. You will waste your cancer if you believe it is a curse and not a gift.

3. You will waste your cancer if you seek comfort from your odds rather than from God.

4. You will waste your cancer if you refuse to think about death.

5. You will waste your cancer if you think that “beating” cancer means staying alive rather than cherishing Christ.

6. You will waste your cancer if you spend too much time reading about cancer and not enough time reading about God.

7. You will waste your cancer if you let it drive you into solitude instead of deepen your relationships with manifest affection.

8. You will waste your cancer if you grieve as those who have no hope.

9. You will waste your cancer if you treat sin as casually as before.

10. You will waste your cancer if you fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ.



Taken from Desiring God

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