It’s amazing the thoughts that race through your mind when cancer is mentioned for the first time.
For me, this was in 2014.
In 2009, my doctor found a lump in my neck during my annual wellness check (PSA, go for yours!). I received an ultrasound and biopsy to determine whether or not the lump was a “non-essential” nodule in my thyroid.
Then, I was not sure what a thyroid was, nor was I concerned.
After five years of re-evaluation of the nodule, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had to have my thyroid removed.
It was then that I wanted to know what a thyroid was.
A thyroid is a gland that makes and stores hormones to help regulate heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and the rate at which food is converted into energy. Thyroid hormones are “essential” for the function of every cell in the body. It’s like the thermostat at home that controls your furnace and air-conditioner.
When I was first told I had cancer, my thoughts were not overly negative. Thyroid Cancer is one of the “easiest” to beat, right? And, God gave me the immediate sense that He was blanketing me with His peace.
I was always told to pray, especially about big things. I never really prayed for myself or my diagnosis. Instead, I prayed for my family. I prayed for my family to have comfort during uncertainty. Being the family of a cancer patient can be harder than being the patient. We appeared on many prayer lists.
How to stop worrying
I didn’t worry about how my life would change or my financial future.
Why did I never really worry? How did I stop worrying about my cancer? God’s peace.
For me, God’s peace was a calm sense of security that He would handle everything and that He was in control.
The thyroid cancer diagnosis was a huge dose of perspective that continues to influence my way of thinking. Before my diagnosis, I was consumed by planning for tomorrow.
I would ask myself questions like:
- What tools do I need?
- How much time will it take?
- What will happen?
- What do I need for today or tomorrow?
- How can I make sure tomorrow is efficient?
My mom used to tell me, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him what your plans are for today.”
I now understand what this means: that God’s plans are way more important than mine. Should I keep planning? Yes, but plan for God, not for me.
In Matthew 6:33-34, Jesus says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
For me, there is no place for worry, especially the kind that causes sleepless nights. It’s easier for me to be “concerned.” This gives me the mindset to be a good steward of this life God has given me. Being a good steward means taking care of the blessings God has granted and making good and wise choices.
Today, a daily dose of medication regulates my “furnace.” This gift from God has shortened my perspective on this life. I used to do a 5-year plan. Now, I try to concentrate on what God wants of me today.
Let God worry about tomorrow.
