Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering: God's Power Over Cancer

God Is Bigger than My Cancer: Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering

“There’s no doubt about the diagnosis,” the doctor said. Incurable cancer. A fatal disease. I had just celebrated my tenth anniversary with my wife, and we were busy raising our children, aged 1 and 3.

The next week, as I prepared for chemotherapy, my wife smiled and handed me a handmade card, colored bright with crayons and signed by a fifteen-year-old girl with Down syndrome in our congregation. My tears flowed as I read the top:

“Get well soon! Jesus loves you! God is bigger than cancer!”

My tears were a mingling of grief and joy. Yes, God is bigger than cancer, and bigger than my cancer! The girl in my church wasn’t denying that the path of my future seemed to be narrowing, hidden beneath the fog of a diagnosis. But she testified that God is greater: The God made known in Jesus Christ shows us that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).

In my tears, I relished the fact that in the midst of my suffering, Christ was present. He was with me, walking through the valley of the shadow of death. The truth of his love and sovereignty shone brighter than the darkness of my cancer.

The Reality of Suffering

Suffering is a reality we all face. Whether it’s cancer, the loss of a loved one, financial hardship, or relational struggles, suffering is a part of the human experience. It’s easy to feel like we’re alone in our suffering, like no one else could possibly understand the depth of our pain. But the truth is, suffering is a universal experience. The Bible speaks to this reality:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus, our high priest, understands our weaknesses and has experienced our suffering. He walked through the trials of this life, facing temptation, betrayal, and ultimately death on a cross. He understands the depth of our pain.

But the Bible doesn’t just acknowledge the reality of suffering. It also offers hope in the midst of it. As Christians, we believe that God is not distant or uninvolved in our suffering. Rather, he is present with us, working all things for our good and his glory (Romans 8:28).

The Sovereignty of God

One of the most comforting truths in the midst of suffering is the sovereignty of God. This truth reminds us that God is in control, even when life feels out of control. It means that nothing happens outside of his plan and purpose.

Consider the words of Job, who suffered greatly in his life:

“‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong” (Job 1:21-22).

Job recognized the sovereignty of God in his suffering. He acknowledged that everything he had was a gift from God, and that it was God’s right to take it away. And yet, even in the midst of his pain, Job blessed the name of the Lord.

When we understand the sovereignty of God, we can trust that he is working all things together for our good, even when we can’t see how. We can have confidence that he is with us in our suffering, comforting us and sustaining us through it.

The Love of God

Another comforting truth in the midst of suffering is the love of God. The Bible tells us that God loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). He demonstrated that love by sending his Son to die for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).

But how do we reconcile the love of God with the reality of suffering? If God loves us, why does he allow us to suffer?

There are no easy answers to these questions. But one thing we can be sure of is that God’s love is not diminished by our suffering. In fact, it is often in the midst of our pain that we experience the depth of his love.

Consider the words of the apostle Paul:

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

Paul reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Not even cancer, or any other form of suffering we may experience. His love is a constant, unchanging reality in the midst of our pain.

The Hope of the Resurrection

As Christians, our hope is ultimately found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe that he conquered sin and death through his death and resurrection, and that one day he will return to make all things new.

This hope is not just a distant future reality, but a present reality. Because of the resurrection, we have the hope of eternal life with Christ, and the promise that one day all things will be made right.

Consider the words of the apostle Paul:

“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:17-20).

Paul reminds us that without the resurrection, our faith is meaningless. But because Christ has been raised, we have the hope of eternal life with him.

It’s important to note that this hope doesn’t mean that we won’t experience suffering in this life. In fact, Jesus told his disciples that in this world they would have trouble (John 16:33). But he also promised that he had overcome the world.

As we face the trials of this life, we can hold onto the hope of the resurrection. We can trust that one day all things will be made new, and that the pain and suffering we experience now will be no more.

Conclusion

As I faced my cancer diagnosis, I was overwhelmed by the love and faithfulness of God. Though the road ahead was uncertain, I knew that God was with me and that he was greater than my cancer.

The same is true for you, no matter what form of suffering you may be facing. God is with you, working all things for your good and his glory. He loves you with an everlasting love, and nothing can separate you from that love.

As you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, hold onto the hope of the resurrection. Trust that one day all things will be made new, and that the pain and suffering you experience now will be no more.

Remember the words of Jesus:

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Take heart, dear reader. Though the road may be difficult, our hope is secure in Christ. May you be comforted by the truth that God is bigger than your suffering, and that he is with you every step of the way.