We are called by God to encourage one another at a time when all we see is suffering.....

Joshua 1:9 [Full Chapter]

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Some of you may know that my lovely bride of 30 plus years has cancer. She began her chemo program at the University of Minnesota Cancer Institute before Christmas 2018.  As her husband and a survivor over the loss of a child many years prior I thought, "oh no, here we go again."   Our Church, Adult Sunday school community and out Lifegroup have been phenomenally supportive of our journey. Not long after her diagnosis, we learned of another couple in our Life group going through struggling with their own recent cancer diagnosis. The lyrics to this song come to mine.

Every day they pass me by, I can see it in their eye

Empty people filled with care headed who knows where

On they go through private pain, living fear to fear

Laughter hides their silent cries, only Jesus hears

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

When will we realize people need the Lord?

We are called to take His light to a world where wrong seems right

What would be too great a cost for sharing life with one who's lost?

Through His love, our hearts can feel, all the grief they bear

They must hear the words of life only we can share

Yesterday, my wife called me from work to say she needed to purchase some books at  1/2 Price book stores and wanted to know if I could meet here there when I finished work. I said 'yes'.  I browse the aisles of this store, a store we've to hundreds of times with our two young children.  Occasionally, I would glance around this store and see people through the lyrics of this song- hurting people in private pain, living in fear with laughter hiding their silent cries, only Jesus knows. 

Pain and suffering are everywhere in this life. Yet it is easy to fall into the 'Prosperity gospel' trap believing that those who suffer must have done something to make God angry, forgetting that pain exists because we live in a broken world.

When she was done shopping, I suggested we have supper at the Panera Bread restaurant next door.  She asked, "you want to eat out again?"  "yes". I said.  Fast forward and now we are sitting down enjoying our meal while sitting side by side each other when a lady came over and asked my wife if she was going through chemo. For the next 5 minutes, this woman encouraged my wife with her own cancer survivor story and her reliance on the grace of God throughout her journey. She was the healing salve God sent to offer her an encouraging word at a time when it was easy to be discouraged.

If there is any motivation to prepare your heart with God's word it is this: God wants to use you to encourage others in the midst of pain and suffering.  As you sojourn this life with unsuspecting diagnoses and occasional losses, remember that God is walking with you on this journey, preparing you so one day, like this cancer survivor, God can send you in to encourage another person who just recently received their own diagnosis. 

We are called to take His light to a world where wrong seems right

What would be too great a cost for sharing life with one who's lost?

Through His love, our hearts can feel, all the grief they bear

They must hear the words of life only we can share

Some observations at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body

The moment your loved one is given the dreaded diagnosis you are dressed for battle, an unrelenting one at that.  You are thrust into something you have no control over.  You can't fix it. You can't rescue your loved one. You can't kiss her in hopes the dreaded  'C' would just go away.  You are at the mercy of the team of physicians, nurses, and coordinating staff to help you on this journey. First, there is the confirmation of the diagnosis with more tests. Then there is the MRI's and the biopsies to 'stage' the tumor. Your hope goes up when they think they can eradicate this with a simple surgery until your hope is dashed that your loved one would have to go through the chemotherapy process to reduce the size of the tumor within. Every week I bring her to the Masonic Cancer Center I look around this united nations of sorts and try to hear the stories of people of color, different ethnicities, silently praying for them. 

It was last week I noticed a 12-year old girl in a wheelchair with her beautiful head covering. My heart sank as I reflected on her battle within. Her mom and siblings were with her trying of course to comfort her.  I saw a young woman with a chemo hat checking in for her next round.  As I watched her I thought how her life might have been different had she not been given this dastardly diagnosis? She would be making plans for her future- where to travel to, what career path to pursue, or simply going to work and making a livelihood.   

As I went down the hallway of chemo row, I noticed several guys who were hooked up receiving their own chemo regimen and wondering about their stories within. Were they worried about their future?  Whether their employer will keep them on the payroll as the unrelenting costs of this disease build up?  

As I silently prayed for them I, of course, wondered if they know the living, breathing Savior Jesus as they pursue this unrelenting battle?   I am reminded of these words from Psalm 43:5-

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God." In Isaiah 46:4 I'm reminded of these comforting words, "Even to your old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years, I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you, And I will bear you and I will deliver you.


God knows the battle one is on in life. After all, he sent his son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for each one us regardless of our skin color, ethnicities or world view. He wants to be their guide and comforter in times of trouble.


A sudden health diagnosis can rock one's boat, but I'm comforted by the thought that right here at the U of Mn Masonic Cancer center are some of the greatest medical staff to treat those who have been 'afflicted' with that dreaded 'C'


One final thought. If you are a caregiver of someone with this life-threatening diagnosis get help for your self whether it's the support groups at the American Cancer societyhttps://www.cancer.org/ or finding trusted listeners allowing you to share this journey.


Remember, no matter what you are feeling from moment to moment remember to honor God on the Sabbath, a day of rest he gave to each of us so we can rejuvenate!