4 Things I Learned From My Cancer Journey

4/20/2021

Our guest blogger, Debbie, has been missing in action around here for almost a year now.

Like many of us in 2020, she's been on an unexpected journey. But Debbie's journey was different than the journey most of us have been on over the past several months. Her journey included not only all that COVID brought to our world, her journey also included that dreaded "C" word--cancer.

We all know someone who has been on the cancer journey. Maybe, you've even traveled that road yourself. The greatest thing to know is that as Christian women, as women of God, we know that we do not travel that road alone! Not only do we not travel the road alone, but God also gives us unique opportunities to share the road with those who come behind us. Today, Debbie shares that road with us in the third of a 3-part series--4 Things I Learned From My Cancer Journey.

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4 Things I Learned From My Cancer Journey

I have always wondered how a person’s life would change after going through a life and death experience. Recently after being healed of stage IV cancer, it was time for me to reevaluate my life for change. Probably the first thing I needed to evaluate was my priorities. While being so sick my world became exceedingly small. I realized many temporal things and daily thoughts are unnecessary. Ironically, the Lord had already given me Colossians 3:2 as my focus verse for 2020,

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2

As my sickness and treatments dragged on, my thoughts turned to God and His promises. I communed with Him almost constantly. As life begins to get back to “normal” my relationship with God is stronger. My dedication to my family, church, and friends is still prominent in my life but now with heartfelt thankfulness. I have a great love to serve others, and God has given me the opportunity to do that a while longer.

My daily life today is not a lot different than what it was before my trial, but eternity is in my thoughts now more than ever before. There is also a daily dependence on God, which was not as intense. My desire to witness and share salvation, especially with my doctor, is greater. There is still daily work to be done—cleaning the house, laundry, preparing meals, grocery shopping, etc., but I believe God used this trial to help me now focus on people more than on routine. Spending time with my husband, hugging my grandchildren, talking to people face to face—these are the things I missed most during my illness and now treasure more than ever.

4 spiritual lessons God taught me (or maybe retaught me) during my cancer journey:

Everything is dependent on God is probably the main truth I learned. I know and have taught that God is sovereign and in control. But when I could not cure myself of cancer or make myself feel better during treatments, I realized it was totally up to God to decide how things would turn out.
God’s Word is my greatest source of comfort and hope. Several people gave me note cards with verses written on them. These became precious to me. I read them during infusions, before procedures when I could not sleep, and during prayer time. For special strength and encouragement, I spent most of my Bible reading time in the Psalms.
Prayer is powerful! I believe prayer and the grace of God got me through my cancer journey. Many people were praying for me and some I did not even know. There were people all around the world praying on my behalf. God answers the prayers of His people!
I must always give glory to God. He is gracious and kind in all things. God’s ways are not always our ways. I do not know why I had cancer. I do not know why He chooses to heal some believers and take others to Heaven. I do know that He has left me here to share Christ with others and praise Him for His goodness.

“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for Thou art my praise.” Jeremiah 17:14.

If you've had a cancer journey, share with us the spiritual lessons God taught you through it.

Read the first post in this mini-series The Unexpected Journey.
Read the second post in this mini-series Faith Over Fear.
You may also be interested in 12 Letters I Wrote to a Friend With Cancer.

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20 Comments

Barbara Harper link

4/20/2021 09:07:47 am

Thank you for sharing your story and what God taught you though it.

Debbie Miller

4/20/2021 09:38:16 am

Someone shared the little booklet, "Don't Waste Your Cancer" with me at the beginning of my journey. It helped me realize I needed to share God's grace with others whatever that would look like. I praise God for His goodness and healing!

Michele Morin link

4/20/2021 09:08:21 am

Cancer certainly distilled your life lessons down to 4 essential truths! Thank you for sharing them.

4/20/2021 09:38:40 am

Life can get complicated. Trials help us see things in light of eternity. I can still struggle with the busy of each day or the clash of personalities, but filtering them through the lens of eternity sure puts things in perspective!

Lisa notes link

4/20/2021 10:02:19 am

What a difficult journey you've been on! But such a treasure to have God with you every step of the way. He doesn't magically make things easy, but he does remain faithful and always gives us grace and hope. Thanks for sharing your insights with us.

4/20/2021 11:35:23 am

There's so much truth in your statements! God is good all the time, and sometimes He lets us stay here on earth awhile longer. "Every time our life is spared and given back to us after a trial, it is like a new beginning." May He be glorified!

Jerralea link

4/20/2021 10:21:52 am

Thanks for sharing the lessons you learned. I feel your second point, God's Word is our greatest source of comfort and hope, is so true no matter what our struggle may be. And yet so many never crack open their bibles! What a blessing to live in a time when we can easily read multiple translations of the Word!

4/20/2021 11:40:11 am

I agree, Jerralea! What a precious treasure we have! It truly was my comfort and hope in my cancer journey, but also sustains me daily now.

Debra Jean link

4/20/2021 12:22:09 pm

I learned that God is sovereign and He truly can use everything for good. Thanks for sharing your experience

4/20/2021 02:36:06 pm

Realizing God is truly sovereign is a life changer! If we believe this, we can trust Him with whatever He chooses for us. His plans are for our good and His glory!

Susan Shipe link

4/20/2021 03:13:13 pm

Debbie, what an encouraging testimony. Thank you for sharing.

4/21/2021 10:55:08 am

What a wonderful God we serve! Thank you, Susan, for taking time to read my testimony of God's grace and healing.

Debbie Wilson link

4/20/2021 09:39:00 pm

Debbie, how we all need to set our affection on things above. Thank you for sharing your journey and lessons with us.

4/21/2021 10:55:41 am

I am grateful to be able to share my journey as determined by God. "The source of learning to help others must be the experience of victorious suffering." One of my favorite songs is "Victory in Jesus," and victory can be given even in suffering.

4/21/2021 11:00:21 am

"Every difficulty and every temptation that comes our way, if we receive it correctly, is God's opportunity." I am thankful I was given the opportunity to share God's love and power through my journey.

Paula Short link

4/21/2021 05:47:21 am

Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I love the things God has put on your heart to use during your trial. It seems like you drew nearer to God, and he to you. Thank you for this blessed post. To God be the glory. Blessings.

4/21/2021 10:55:52 am

Oh, yes, when God strips away unnecessary things in your life and your daily existence is dependent on Him, you get very close to Him. I think that is what He wants of us even when we are healthy, but we get so distracted with life. I can actually now say, "Thank you Lord for my cancer experience."