Cancer is a word none of us like to say. It’s a word we would rather not think about. As a three-time cancer survivor, I’ve been forced to consider its effects. One thing God has taught me through my cancer is to have greater empathy for what others are going through. He’s taught me a lot about perspective—what to sweat and what to let go. He’s also strengthened my faith as I’ve been brought face-to-face with my mortality, finding peace and hope in His reality. Faith has helped me as I’ve had to say good-bye (for now!) to those friends and loved ones who fought the good fight with cancer, and then triumphantly went to be with Jesus. Their courageous battles have inspired me as they’ve lived out these words from the book of Job: “The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” (1:21). My oncologist tells me that my cancer is incurable. That’s okay. For my God is eternal, and I know that whatever time He gives me to serve Him in this life will simply flow into an eternity of being with Him!
What has God taught you through the big “C” or other struggles of this life? What have you learned that you can share with me and others here in the ODJ community?
77butterfly on March 24, 2009 at 11:30 am
It is good to know that there is someone like Tom Felten to write about his experience as a cancer survivor and his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as he deals with cancer. I myself am a Deaf woman who had cancer 9 years ago and now I am cancer-free. I agree that cancer is incurable! I would like to read a book regarding the C-Word that promotes fear and how to overcome this. This book is written by a Christian author. I went to a Christian bookstore to find this book only to find it is gone! I really need that book to read so I can help others who are experiencing fear of their loved ones’ life with cancer. Even employers are afraid of the C-Word too that they had to fire people who have cancer! Could anyone help me in this search for the book about the C-Word written by a Christian author? Thanks with God’s blessing!
dave on March 24, 2009 at 1:02 pm
77butterfly
David Jeremiah’s book, “A Bend In The Road” may be helpful to you. …….
77butterfly on March 25, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Thanks for your reply. I got it down!!
jennifer benson schuldt on March 24, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Wow – Thanks for getting us to think about what we consider to be a big deal. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in things that I think are important, but they have little eternal significance. Today I think I’ll take some time to step back and ponder what really matters…
Clay4thePotter on March 24, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Cancer invades the lives of those who do not even have it. It creepes in and takes away those we love and grips the rest of us with fear, however, God is bigger than any tumor and stronger than fear.
psalm100 on March 24, 2009 at 9:18 pm
I have a friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer. She ended up having a mastectomy along with chemo and radiation. She stated that being diagnosed with cancer was very difficult. She also said that she learned a great deal about God during her time of affliction. Today she is cancer free. She shares her testimony and counsels women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
BobbiLee on March 25, 2009 at 1:16 am
Tom,
Your comments really hit home. I lost my stepdaughter to cancer a month ago. She left a two-year-old son. Through it all our family watched as she fought this unseen enemy. Her struggle and brave choices touched us all. It does involve the entire family, and friends. She might be still alive today if she gave in to her original doctors insistence to abort her son. She refused. This delayed her treatment.
Virginia left us all with a legacy that involved more than her child – she left us with the knowledge that life has choices and pain and difficulties, but when focused on God, His will for each life, and total trust in Him, we can make our spiritual journey count for eternity. Others are watching how we “handle” our circumstances and we can be a witness for Christ as Virginia did when she touched so many lives.
When we think about life and its reality, we are all “incurable” with sin living in this fallen world. It is only through the mediation of Jesus Christ that we can approach God and focus on things eternal. These things include our final destination, with Christ or without Him, a joyful life or a sad one, trust in the Word of God or frustration and perhaps anger or anxiety.
Virginia chose her eternal place of residence and that is the issue for all of us. How soon we arrive there is in the hands of our Eternal Father.
tom felten on March 25, 2009 at 9:37 am
BobbiLee,
Your comments, as well as others from the ODJ community, are truly inspiring. I’m so for your loss. Virginia obviously touched many, many lives with her selfless choice that reminds me of Jesus’ own selfless sacrifice. You’re right, it’s only because of His work in our lives that we can experience a hope and joy that transcends the trials of this life. I’m reminded of these words from Paul in 2 Corinthians 1: “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ (vv.3-5). God provides comfort in our suffering and that comfort—all He teaches us—is something we can then spread to others. Blessed be the name of the Lord!
77butterfly on March 25, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Psalm 100
I went what you went through. My hope is to help others who went through the experience of living with cancer. God alone can give me the courage to do so with the help from Quinte Deaf Fellowship church. This church’s team “Deaf Overcomers” are getting involved in the Canadian Relay For Life this coming June! I am now a volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society and a team captain.
It is a good to know that God can use me to help others to live with hope, courage and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by spreading the good news!