Faith and Cancer.mp3: Audio automatically transcribed by Sonix
Faith and Cancer.mp3: this mp3 audio file was automatically transcribed by Sonix with the best speech-to-text algorithms. This transcript may contain errors.
Speaker1:
Hi and welcome to the Cancer Secrets podcast. I am your host and guide, Dr. Jonathan Stegall. Cancer is like a thief who has come to steal, kill and destroy. I have personally seen it wreak havoc on patients, friends and even my own family. But I am on a mission to change the cancer paradigm. Who? The practice of integrative oncology cancer treatment that integrates the best of conventional medicine with the best of alternative therapies backed by science and personalized to each patient. You need a positive voice you can trust. This podcast will share valuable information to give you practical hope for a better outcome. So I invite you to join me on this journey as we seek to change the cancer paradigm together. Hello and welcome back to the Cancer Secrets podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Jonathan Stegall. This is season three and episode number 35. In today's episode, I'm going to take a break from our usual topics and instead focus on something which I feel is just as important as the medical treatments you receive. Today I'm going to talk about faith. This episode topic is something that God has placed on my heart. Whether you yourself are battling cancer, you are supporting someone going through cancer, or you are simply here to listen and learn. I believe this message is applicable to you. With a Christmas season here, now is a perfect time for me to delve into the topic of faith. I will be addressing faith from a Christian perspective because my belief in Jesus Christ is why I do what I do as integrative oncologist.
Speaker1:
As always, we encourage you to listen with a loved one or friend. Learning and enjoying the show with a community will be more impactful than doing so alone. Today's show is going to be a great one as we discuss the concept of faith and how vital it is when it comes to fighting cancer. If you're fighting cancer. One of your first questions was probably, why me? For many people, a follow up question is often Why God? Why would a God who loves me allow me to get cancer? Why would he have me go through this? I don't know the exact answers to those questions. I know that many people assume that God must want them to be sick or else they wouldn't be. Well, that explanation is certainly a convenient one. I don't agree with it. We know that we live in a fallen world. The world we see today is a far cry from what God intended it to be when He created it. I believe that the challenges we face today, including diseases such as cancer, are products of the decisions we as a society and we as individuals have made over many, many years. Because of our free will, we have created our own reality. Plus, we know that the enemy Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. John ten, ten. Just as we can't possibly identify with wanting our children to be sick, I don't think God wants his children to be sick either.
Speaker1:
In fact, there are many examples in the Bible of Jesus healing the sick. And the second part of John 1010 is key. The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. But I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly. And as first John four four says, he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. Now. Please don't misunderstand me. God doesn't promise us an easy life. He doesn't say that there won't be challenges. But we can go through those challenges knowing that we will have victory. I believe that the victory God promises doesn't just refer to heaven, but to our lives on earth as well as James. One, two, three, four says count it all, Joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness and let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing. And as second Corinthians four, eight through nine says, we are afflicted in every way. But not crushed. Perplexed, but not driven to despair. Persecuted but not forsaken. Struck down, but not destroyed. If God feels distant to you, take heart. His word says that He is here with us in the midst of our challenges. First, Peter five, seven through ten says, Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert in a sober mind. Your enemy. The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour, resist him standing firm in the faith because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings and the God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory in Christ after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast? As Psalm 23, a psalm of David says, The Lord is my shepherd.
Speaker1:
I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me besides still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his namesake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For you are with me, your rod and your staff. They comfort me. You prepare a table before me and the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. It should be obvious that God cares about the details of our lives. I believe that includes His desire for us to be healthy. Healing from cancer might seem like a foreign concept to you, reserved only for people you've heard about or read about and not you. But his healing is available to you, too. If you're struggling with doubt regarding God's interest in your health, please remember what third John to says, Beloved, I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers. Isaiah 53 five, says he was wounded for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities, and the chastisement of our peace was upon him and by his stripes.
Speaker1:
We are healed. In my practice, I've seen God's healing power. I've seen people's physical bodies return to health. I've seen people's negative emotions conquered. I've seen broken relationships mended. And I believe that you, too, can have the healing you desire. So what does that look like? Let's talk about it. First you must have faith. Hebrews 11 one says Faith is a substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. First, John five five asks, Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. Second, you must have faith that God can heal you regardless of what you might have done in the past or the kind of life you've lived. You are just as worthy as anyone else of God's love and God's healing. The Book of Acts tells us that God is no respecter of persons. As Mark 1124 says. Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours. As the saying goes, if you think you can or you think you can't, you're right. I believe that intentional time spent in the presence of God is necessary to get this word down in your spirit. This includes time spent praising God, thanking Him for all that He has done for you. Despite your cancer diagnosis, you have a lot to be thankful for. Spend time reflecting on all of the good in your life.
Speaker1:
Remember what James 117 says Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down to us from God, our Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. It's easy to fall into the trap of feeling down and discouraged, especially when facing cancer. Do your best not to dwell on that after you've acknowledged how good God is. It's important to spend meaningful time in prayer. Ask God for His help. Let him know your most intimate desires. He wants to hear them. He craves knowing what's in your heart. Third, he must be careful about what you're allowing to get into your head, which we know is ultimately what gets into our hearts. Proverbs 423 cautions us guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. So I must ask you, what are you reading? What are you watching on television? What are you listening to on the radio? What are you exposing yourself to on the internet? What kind of people are you spending your time with? Be intentional about what you let in. We must acknowledge that there is a war being fought in our minds. One of God's goodness revealed through his word versus the negativity and defeat and death present all around us on this earth. Winning this battle is an important key to winning the war against cancer or any other attack. Focus on healing scriptures and positive affirmations. I recommend creating your own list of these strong, bold and confident sayings that you keep in front of you.
Speaker1:
Recite them as often as you can, say them aloud. Incorporate this into your prayer time and any time you start to feel down or discouraged. Fourth, we must do our part. The Bible says that faith without works is dead. We must use our knowledge to the best of our abilities. As Joseph four six says, My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. By listening to this podcast, you have been exposed to the most cutting edge knowledge regarding cancer and cancer treatment today. This integrative approach where we enthusiastically incorporate any and all treatments from all branches of medicine in a specific way for each patient in a safe manner as possible, can be a powerful method for God to bring forth His healing. I've seen it happen in my practice. These treatment decisions are taken very seriously. I pray for God to bring the right patients into my practice. Patients I can help. I ask for God to guide me in the specific protocol decisions being made so that patients benefit from our treatments, so that the Lord can ultimately be glorified through the outcome. Whether you take an integrative approach or you feel led to take a different path, please do something. You simply can't sit around and fail to take action while expecting God to heal you. As Proverbs 1423 says. All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. No matter what you're facing, you can do this. People in more dire situations than you're in right now have been healed.
Speaker1:
And I want you to be healed, too. I want to leave you with one very important thought. Our time on Earth is just a brief glimpse in the grand scheme of the eternity we will spend in heaven in the presence of Jesus. I believe that this Christmas season is a perfect time to be reminded of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and His immense love for us, which is far greater than we can fathom. Please know that I'm praying for you wherever you may be right now and whatever you might be going through that you draw near to God through this process and that your relationship with him will be strengthened. Before we conclude this episode, I have a request of you. Please like the Cancer Secrets page on Facebook as well as Instagram. Let me know that you listen to this episode and if you're comfortable, leave your prayer request as a post. I would like for all of us to make it a regular habit of praying for each other. I believe that God will do huge things to our country. As always, I encourage you to subscribe to the Cancer Seekers podcast to be notified when new episodes are released. If you're enjoying these podcasts, please take a minute and provide a review on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Finally, share this podcast with your family and friends. All previous episodes are available for free on our website. Cancer Secrets dot.
Speaker2:
Com.
Speaker1:
May God bless you and yours during this holiday season. I look forward to next time. Bye bye.
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