Finding the Light in Cancer’s Shadow

When John and I first heard the doctor say, "You definitely have cancer," it was as if we had been punched in the stomach. You've been there, haven't you? You receive the blow, the wind is knocked out of you and it seems as though you can't breathe! Instinctively, we reached for each other's hand and held on. I remember looking down at our hands intertwined and not being able to tell which were my fingers and which were his. He clutched on to me so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. This was going to prove to be one of the hardest trials we would encounter as man and wife.

The doctor's words seemed to fade as thoughts rushed into my head. The feelings of being overwhelmed came over me and it was at that moment that the Lord reminded me of who we were. We are a child of the King and the God of Glory is still on His throne. Immediately, I felt His presence like a warm blanket! I placed my other hand over John's hand and said a short prayer in my heart, "Lord, give us strength and comfort us at this hour of need." It was as if John reaped the benefit of that plea and his hand began to let go of the death grip. We were reminded of the words that God spoke to Isaiah,

"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, ... I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." ~ Isa. 43:1

It is at times like these that we face our own mortality. The world has no hope when they hear news of this nature. Christians, on the other hand, rest in the knowledge that we are the Lord's and He knows us intimately. He knows just when His child needs protection, comfort, and encouragement. He does not remove the trial but gives us exactly what we need at the time we need it. "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler." ~ Psa. 91:4. The fiery trials of cancer can be like the storms on the sea but under His wing we are protected.

Yes, cancer does cast a shadow on our day-to-day lives. However, we have the blessed light of God's Word which punches through that shadow with peace, comfort, and encouragement.

"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" ~ 1 Peter 1:6-7

The Christian has God's Holy Word to turn to for comfort and encouragement while fighting the trial of cancer. Applying it to our lives brings glory to God!


Best Wishes,

Kate Plourde

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Author info: This is a guest post by Kate Plourde, who is using her personal experience to encourage and challenge Christians with Cancer.