Comfort In Cancer

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

In 2004, on Good Friday, the word cancer invaded our home.

The day after my routine mammogram, I received a call from my wonderful doctor while I was sitting in the Sweet Monday office with precious Paula. My first thought was, God, You knew that spot was there, and my second thought was, How long will I live? Other questions ran through my mind: Will I get to see our one-and-only daughter walk down the aisle in her wedding dress? And what about grandbabies? And then, What are all the other women who are getting bad news today doing if they don’t know You? Then God brought to my mind that there are a lot worse things in life than a cancer diagnosis.

My very surprising news of an abnormality led to a lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation—the most aggressive treatment for breast cancer. My sweet mother came from South Carolina to minister to me before being diagnosed with the same disease six months later. I sometimes wonder if God may have allowed me to go through it before my sweet mother so I could comfort her in the days to come.

God’s Word doesn’t tell us we have to experience the very same kind of trouble in order to comfort someone else. He tells believers in Christ that He comforts us in all our troubles so we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort that we have received from God.

Anyone who experiences any kind of hurt can identify with pain in general. Whatever its source, pain gives us insight into specific ways we can provide comfort to someone else. Surely you have experienced some heartache in life—emotional or physical—that has grown your desire to ease someone else’s suffering.

Focusing outward is a very practical way to reduce inward pain.

Think of someone right now whom God would have you comfort. Write that person a note, give a gift of bright flowers, or make a phone call to offer sweet cheer!