HAROLD KELLER

Cancer has no control over spirit I think every family has experienced someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, a dread disease which is often terminal. Many communities have “Relay for Life” rallies to raise money to fight the battle against cancer. I commend the people responsible for these functions. They truly deserve a salute for a job well done! Yes, cancer kills the flesh. It can reduce a human body that was once a healthy specimen to a weak, disfigured shell of a person. In the book, Finishing Touches, by Charles Swindoll, I read these comforting words that were distributed at the memorial service of Dan Richardson, an enthusiastic believer in Christ: Cancer is limited… It cannot cripple love, It cannot erode faith, It cannot eat away peace, It cannot destroy confidence, It cannot kill friendship, It cannot shut out memories, It cannot silence courage, It cannot invade the soul, It cannot reduce eternal life, It cannot quench the Spirit, It cannot lessen the power of the Resurrection. Swindoll stated that a person may ultimately be healed, or may not. Whichever God sovereignly wills will be your lot. It’s part of life’s puzzle. You cannot deny that you have the disease, but you can deny despair from taking control. Wherever you are, whatever your circumstances, call for God’s daily delivery of wisdom, strength and grace. Yes, cancer can destroy the flesh, but has no control over the spirit. HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group. Call him at 652-8477.