Hope When Fighting Cancer

In the past month I have learned of several of my friends, family and brethren who are dealing with the dreaded disease of cancer. I have some idea how the families feel.

I have lost so many friends and family members to this ugly enemy called cancer. Aunts. Uncles. Cousins. Grandparents.  And my own mother. I have seen it ravage the bodies of the young and old alike.

When cancer affects our family, it seems our worse fears have been realized. It evokes a variety of emotions—disappointment, despair, desperation, depression, even anger. “”Why me?’

However, a cancer survivor wrote a short piece that puts it in perspective for all of us. This unknown author writes..

Cancer is so limited …
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot destroy peace.
It cannot kill friendships.
It cannot suppress memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot invade the soul.
It cannot steal eternal life.
It cannot conquer the Spirit.

I definitely do not mean to trivialize or minimize the pain and agony that cancer causes. Nor do I wish to give a flip answer to someone who has cancer or has lost a loved one to this dreaded disease. I have wept in the face of this ugly monster. I know its hurt. Its pain. Its agony. But I also know there is another viewpoint this unknown author shares. It’s a spiritual insight, a Biblical outlook, an eternal perspective that we are not unfortunate victims in a random, senseless universe.

Last night following our Wednesday evening Bible study, I spoke with a brother whose father has cancer and is in hospice care. While obviously concerned and feeling the burden that comes with the prospect of a parent dying, his expressions reflected peace of mind, calmness of spirit and a serenity of the soul. He shared that his father, a faithful Christian, was thankful for having time before his passing to make final preparations.

Christians know that cancer does not have the final say in the grand scheme of things. No disease, not even cancer, has greater power than Christ. To suffering Christians, Peter penned these words of comfort and assurance: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled and that does not fade away reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet 1:3-4).

Christians have hope. Yes, there may be hope we will defeat cancer and live a longer life through patience, prayer and God’s providence. But the greater hope is not in being a cancer survivor, but in Christ the Savior. Hope of eternal life. Cancer cannot destroy the hope that Christ gives! Cancer cannot steal our inheritance! Cancer cannot kill the soul!

While our hearts are touched by those who must fight this disease, we are thankful for those who are fighting the good fight of faith. Trusting in God. Relying on His strength. Accepting his plan. And living while facing the disease with grace, dignity and resolve.

Remember, cancer does not have the final say. There is hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

–Ken Weliever, ThePreacherman