I have delayed writing this for a long time for one reason. I do not have cancer (to my knowledge, thank God). And so in one sense, I write in ignorance. But I have lost loved ones to cancer. I have sat with many in their dying days due to this disease. Regardless of my lack of experience in having cancer, I believe what I write flows from a basic biblical principle of faith and life with God.
When one gets cancer, the prime metaphor given to them is that of a battle. They are told by loved ones to fight cancer. They are told by doctors that they can beat cancer. They are surrounded by living survivors who speak as victors in the battle and haunted by the memories of those who apparently lost the fight.
I often wonder when trying to minister to people with cancer whether this metaphor is truly as helpful as it is prevalent. To me, it seems to place undue burden on a person who already has a heavy load to carry. Not only do they have to have cancer, but they have to fight it also. It seems to me that as individuals and Christian communities we should be about lessening the burden on the afflicted.
Truly, I wonder if the best thing we as God’s people could say to them is not fight, but rest. Rest ultimately in the hands of your good God who has saved you in Jesus. Rest also in our hands as we take care of you. We will take care of your needs and lift you up before the Father as well. This is not your battle alone. Your God is watching over you and goes before you. We will be here for you. And you have a hope that stronger than death itself. Rest. You have cancer. That is enough.
I can hear in my mind screams of others saying “no†even as I type this. If they do not fight, it is a death sentence. The call to rest might as well be a call to the grave. The battle metaphor is so thoroughly entrenched in the cancer community that many believe that there is no more important variable in determining the likelihood of recovery than the individual’s will to beat the disease. Mind over matter is believed in this community perhaps more strongly than anywhere else.
But as Christians, do we really believe this? Do we really believe that God will bring healing or not based on the person’s personal resolve against the disease? If anything, it seems that the biblical advice would be to admit how helpless one is against such a strong enemy and cast themselves in the care of Christ who cares for them and the community God has given them in his Church.
Don’t fight with ceasing. Rest. Resting in God’s shadow is the heart of faith. And perhaps it should be the heart of Christian counsel when it comes to encouraging those burdened with this terrible disease we call cancer.
(I want to make clear that I am not suggesting foregoing treatment or being physically inactive against the direction of one’s doctor. I speak here primarily of spiritual and emotional rest. I speak of committing oneself in God’s hands. I speak of Sabbath.)
I enjoyed reading this today! Great thoughts on a different aspect of “fighting cancer.” While I agree that we are better off to “Let go and Let God,” I always struggle with where to draw the line. I suppose it is different in every situation, but at what point do we allow God to do his will and complete his plan for our lives? And how do we figure out what that is when it comes to these treatments? Has he not given us the doctors and their knowledge to “fight” this disease, so is it really challenging God? The times I struggle the most is with the older population. Jon’s grandma was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of Leukemia in February. A kind, with a little research, it was found that some people are given only 6 months to live. She is still with us, but she is in her mid-80’s with every encouraging word from her doctor to pursue treatment. I go from thinking, “She’s in her 80’s and lived a good life, why go through these treatments and make her last days full of sickness, weakness, and other ailments of sin.” to thinking, “The doctors know what they are doing, so by them suggesting and encouraging this treatment, they must have confidence that it can be cured and she will lead a healthy life to the end of her days.” Maybe it makes sense, but maybe it doesn’t, I don’t know! Oh to have all of the knowledge! One day….
God uses the doctors and treatments as his tools for healing. I agree, Pastor, that those afflicted should spiritually rest in the Savior’s arms. It is very difficult to have this disease and to carry the burden if having “to fight” also. He alone can heal or call the afflicted home to a “perfect healing.” It doesn’t mean to give up hope but to allow God to work His will.
Here is a short story:
I read some years ago that a person was being wheeled to operating room for surgery and was apprehensive. The Christian nurse said,”When we live, we are with Jesus, and when we die, we are with Jesus. Either way we are with Him.”
This has helped me through a couple of surgeries (non-cancer), too. It allows us to rest assured that all is in God’s hands and peace then comes.
Thanks for posting about this as this subject affects each one of us in some way- either personally or when we pray and comfort others.
I think that one can look at this in light of their baptism. In this light a battle is an apt metaphor. We fight against all the results of the fall… Yet knowing that Christ has ultimately won the battle.
Phil,
I think this is absolutely horrible advice for either victims of cancer or those who are to be engaged in the spiritual life.
Knowing that Christ has won the battle over death and the Devil does not give us a “weekend at the beach” so to speak. Our salvation is to be worked out (the word St. Paul uses is that of athletic contests, if memory serves) with fear and trembling. Salvation is not something that can be truly appreciated or honored if it is just given to us.
We may fail in our spiritual struggles. Thank God that He does not judge us on whether we won, but whether we kept up the faith. For cancer victims, they should also continue the fight. How much more will they value the life that has been given from above. The cancer victim is not fighting because he loves life rather than God. I believe that truly God fearing Christians continue to fight for life because they realize, in their humility, that they have not begun to repent. How will they then make answer at the dread judgment if they just give up on what was given?
I say this again: This is horrible advice. I would not give it to anyone dieing of cancer and I would not especially give it to someone in the midst of spiritual warfare. The Christian life…no, life itself, is a battle that must be fought for.
Chris,
As one who claims to be a devotee of the Psalms, you seemed to have missed the repeated calls to rest in the Lord. And no doubt the rest of your comments show that you have left behind the gospel. To suggest that one should fight so that they have a better chance of being saved is heretical and downright atrocious. Christ is our salvation, not time to repent. It saddens me that you believe this.
That’s great.. your information is very informative for me..I’ve tried to stay positive, and the reason I’ve been able to stay positive and strong is because there are so many people that stand behind me.