Soul Scientist

“But you look good”- I’ve heard that phrase many times in the past fourteen years since diagnosis with multiple chronic illnesses. And now I’m hearing it amidst surgeries, chemotherapy, and other treatments for cancer.

I know that phrase is always well-intentioned in encouragement and friendship, even if I’ve just met the person saying it. Yet, Scripture tells me that even if everyone only sees my outside, God always sees my heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7). With that idea in mind, I’m learning that chronic illness and cancer are effective teachers to help me learn that what really matters is what God sees in my heart.

Almighty God knows the smallest deepest parts of my life that I’ve tried to hide from everyone, including myself. He sees me as I really am.

And He speaks to me as I really am…

He speaks to my lack of hair and my lacking in humility. He speaks to my nausea and my know-it-all attitude. He speaks to my scars and my selfishness. He speaks to my fatigue and my fear of the unknown.

He doesn’t ignore my surgery-marked body. He doesn’t overlook the hat worn indoors. He doesn’t comment on my runny nose and eyes or swollen feet and hands.

He doesn’t say “but you look good.” He says “come to Me and find rest” (see Matthew 11:28-30).

He doesn’t say “it’ll grow back in time.” He says “I am the Vine; you are the branches” (see John chapter 15).

He doesn’t say “one day this will be but a memory.” He says “one day with Me is better than a thousand anywhere else” (see Psalm 84:10).

God speaks what is good to me while seeing and knowing what isn’t good in me.

God speaks what is true to me while opening and revealing what isn’t true in me.

And He does all of this because He is good, true, loving, patient, steadfast, and kind.

His love didn’t release His grip on me when I let go of Him. His faithfulness isn’t dependent on my condition. His patience doesn’t wane when my strength is gone. His goodness won’t change with my circumstances.

He knew thousands of years ago that I needed to hear today’s truth from 2 Chronicles 16:9a AMP For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth so that He may support those whose heart is completely His. Hearing that truth, along with this truth from Matthew, gives my hope in Him a fresh strength even in the darkest of days (and nights) – Your heart will always be where your treasure is (Matthew 6:21 CEV).

Jesus is indeed stronger than anyone or anything in this world (see 1 John 4:4).

My Jesus truly is the strength of my heart and my treasure for today and for forever (see Psalm 73:26). And that truth is something that always looks real good to me and my heart!

This was an excerpt from the book I’m currently writing in words and in life called Secret Places: Thriving in Cancer. If you’d like to see more on these ideas, please make sure and sign up to follow this blog with your email (and invite others to come along too!).

Also, please stay tuned for an exciting announcement next week…

Written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2025.