Asking the Right Question

From the time I was informed I had cancer, I’ve had an inexplicable peace as events have unfolded. I’ve never freaked out or had to deal with anxiety. This doesn’t make sense to a lot of people, and some of them have told me as much.
So why don’t I freak out? Where does this peace come from? I’ve been asking myself that question a lot recently.
Of course, the easy answer is God, but I’ve never been one to settle for the easy answer.
I think part of the reason people people get really upset or freak out when they get difficult news is because they are asking the wrong questions. They ask things like “Why me?” or “What did I do to deserve this?” They focus on what they will lose or what the situation is going to cost whether that be money, time, relationships, or work.
Over time, God has taught me these questions aren’t very helpful. They often don’t have any real answers.
Instead, I think we should be asking “God, what are you trying to teach me?” or “What can I learn from this?”

So what is God teaching me through this situation? He’s reminding how many people He has put in my life who care about me and my wife. Almost daily, people ask how I am doing and tell me they are praying for me. He’s reminding me that no matter how many gifts He’s given me to deal with things in my life, ultimately He’s still the One in control. He might even be reminding me that I’m expendable. My coworkers are stepping in to take care of the families I usually work with, and I know they’ll do a great job of caring for and loving those families. That’s not necessarily a comforting thought, but it certainly can act as a counter to my tendency toward arrogance.

Any of those are good lessons to learn. And focusing on them instead of “Why me?” almost certainly leads to a greater sense of peace and a greater reliance on God. Or maybe there’s another deeper lesson God is teaching me that, at this point in my life, I’m not wise enough to see. But maybe some day…