Q: How do I strengthen my faith in God and totally put my trust in Him—to know that it will all work out (my husband has terminal cancer)? —Ann
A: Faith is strengthened when it is exercised. An athlete can’t strengthen muscles without exercising them. Faith is the same way.
I suspect few of your friends have experienced the death of a husband or wife through cancer. This means that you are going into uncharted territory, and the only option you have is to trust God. In the process your faith will be strengthened, but not before.
As a human being who shared the same emotions we do, Jesus certainly would have preferred to avoid the supreme trial of His life. Remember what happened in the hours before He was arrested?
“Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, ‘Sit here while I go over there to pray.’ He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, ‘My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine’ ” (Matthew 26:36-39).
Jesus said that a servant isn’t greater than his master, and that someone who is sent isn’t greater than the one who sent them (John 13:16). If our Lord experienced emotional struggle, we can expect to as well. Like Him, we must submit to suffering and emotional pain as we commit ourselves to trust God in times of great trial (Matthew 16:24-27).
In the trial you are facing Satan will encourage your fear and despair. You will struggle with dark emotions that will seem to sweep you away. But the Holy Spirit will be with you, bringing you comfort and wisdom when you most need it (John 14:16, 26).
Even as Jesus sought the company of His disciples, you will need the support of the people in your life. They will share your burden as much as they can. Seek out the fellowship of other Christians who have already undergone what you are facing, and never forget that just as we share the suffering of our Lord, we will share in His victory (Romans 8:31-37; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58). —Dan Vander Lugt
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tgustafs on February 3, 2014 at 8:16 am
Ann, you and your husband are prayed for today!
GChoo on February 3, 2014 at 12:52 pm
Ann, sorry to hear about your husband’s health condition. Keeping both of you in prayer.
Mike Wittmer on February 7, 2014 at 9:59 am
Ann, I’m praying for you. One exercise that may help is use your body to practice putting all your weight on Jesus (He must carry you and your husband in this time). When you go to bed, consciously think about transferring all your weight to your mattress, and tell yourself that just like that, I am putting all my weight upon Jesus. Let him do all the heavy lifting.
daisymarygoldr on February 15, 2014 at 4:30 pm
Faith is to believe God even though we do not see Him and to trust His word is true. Jesus asked others to trust Him (John 14:1). And since He is God, Jesus never needed faith.
In the Bible, the best example of faith is Abraham. His faith did not weaken; even though he figured his body and Sarah’s womb were as good as dead. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises (Romans 4: 20-21).
Ann, you are in a very difficult situation and my heart goes out to you. Hebrews 11 has helped me through tough times. All those people died still believing what God had promised them. None of them received what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance. These heroes of faith have greatly influenced my faith to stay strong even when nothing seemed to work out for my good.
The prayers of others have also helped me when my faith faltered. Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would be strengthened (Luke 22:32). Ask others to pray for you. When the scary waves threaten to overwhelm you, keep your eyes focused on Jesus. We are weak but He is strong. Trust in the Lord and continue to follow Him. Then your faith will grow strong… (Colossians 2: 6-7). Praying for you.