I agree with this writer. Case in point. Shortly after we lost our daughter in 2007, my boss who had been down that same path decades before was able to use his story to give me hope. Transparency is important- whether it is facilitating a grief share group, or supporting an employee experiencing sudden loss. This article was written by Journey of Hope and certainly well worth the read.
As a leader, you may be reluctant to show any kind of weakness to your congregation. You may see your role to be a model of faith and victory for the congregation—and you’re concerned that if what you teach doesn’t work for you, how will it work for them?
But this is not the way the apostle Paul approached his preaching ministry. He brought it all to the table—because God told him to view his shortcomings as the platform where His power is demonstrated.
“‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses . . .
For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Your congregation needs to hear the Word of God, of course, but they will also benefit from seeing how you bring your faith into the hard seasons in your own life. You face the same issues that they do. Someone out there in the pews needs to see how a believer—a believer like you—handles something challenging like a cancer diagnosis. They need good examples. Their faith needs to see your faith. If you’re walking into the valley of the shadow of death, then they need to hear your story.
Your Story Can Bring Life
If even a few members of your congregation learn from your journey and become proactive about their own health, you have served them well. If your people change their eating habits for the better—adding nutritious and healthy foods and dropping harmful “junk” foods—you may be protecting them from their own cancer journey. If your people begin visiting their doctors and are screened as appropriate for common cancers, you may be literally saving their lives.
Your Story Can Bring Peace
When some people hear the “C” word, they experience fear. Maybe they’re worried about some symptom in their bodies, maybe they’re worried by their family history, or maybe they’re just worried. Your words may break the power of fear in their lives. They will discover that knowledge can be a good thing—and that it’s better to know than not know. With understanding comes peace. And your story may encourage them to get more information about their own health because with cancer it’s always better to know sooner and not later.
Your Story Can Bring Light
Many people don’t know very much about cancer—except that it’s a terrible disease and sometimes people die. They don’t understand that certain behaviors can trigger or accelerate cancer and that other behaviors can help prevent cancer. They don’t realize that there are different kinds of cancer. They may be unaware of all the advances that modern medicine has made to effectively battle cancer. But as you tell your story, you will pull back the veil for them and illuminate their darkness. As Jesus reminds us, “Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.” (John 12:35).
Your Story Can Bring Freedom
If you talk about your story, your people will feel free to talk about their stories. They will share their concerns and fears. Instead of awkward or embarrassed silence, they will encourage one another and urge each other to take better care of themselves. They will support and show love to one another. They will minister to those battling cancer and stand with their caregivers. They will deepen their connection to one another as a loving and caring community of faith.
Your Story Can Bring Hope
Your congregation needs to know that a cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. People have recovered from every stage of every kind of cancer. There are new discoveries and medical breakthroughs all the time, and cancer researchers around the world are continually developing and refining new treatments.
You may be on a health journey of your own these days. Or you may be walking with a loved one down a dark and unknown path. Whether your battle is with cancer or some other disease, or against any of life’s tribulations, your experience can be used to express your faith and hope in God. “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
God will use your story to strengthen, encourage and comfort those around you as they face struggles of their own. As we share our journey with others, we know that God will use every opportunity we give Him to bring His light into every dark place.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble
with the comfort, we ourselves receive from God.”
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble
with the comfort, we ourselves receive from God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Our Journey of Hope is sponsored by Cancer Treatment Centers of America®
Our Journey of Hope is sponsored by Cancer Treatment Centers of America®
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