All Hope Is Not Lost: When Death Comes Knocking

Hello readers. It's been a minute, and the reason for my absence is also the inspiration behind today's post.

A little over two weeks ago, my family was catapulted--once again--onto the rollercoaster called cancer. I call it a rollercoaster because that's exactly what it feels like when someone you love is diagnosed with a life-taking illness.

Initially, it's a slow, anxious crawl as you wait for the diagnostic answers. You hold onto hope that it won't be that bad. Maybe the mass is benign? Maybe there's a really solid treatment plan that won't be too harsh? Maybe it's something else entirely? Once the results come in, things begin to unfold really quickly and it feels like whiplash. Panic turns to paralysis when words like rare, aggressive, and Stage 4 are used. But by the time you get there, you've already been grieving.

You grieve the new reality--treatments, pain, unknown outcomes, the unfairness of the situation, the strength it will take to survive the rollercoaster and the potential loss of the person you love. You grieve for yourself, your loved one, and everyone else who will be affected by this diagnosis. And when you've already lost someone important to you to cancer--in my case, it was my father--your grief is compounded.

Cancer doesn't leave you untouched--not the patient nor the family supporting their loved one.

But even in our times of greatest grief, all hope is not lost. Even when the doctors are ready to sign a death certificate, as long as your loved one breathes, the Lord hasn't spoken yet.

It's a beautiful thing to have Jesus and know that you are not alone in any crisis you face. It's a beautiful thing to know the power and authority of our God, to know that He can heal the sick if He chooses to, to know that His word matters more than man's ever could. More so, it's a beautiful thing to know that Jesus has defeated the grave and no matter the outcomes we face here on earth, we will be reunited with our loved ones in Jesus after death.

When the world turns you away, Jesus is still with you. When your hope is threatened, Jesus restores it. When you face a crisis that requires more of you than you have to give, Jesus strengthens and sustains you.

I hope because I have Jesus. I hope because I know He has authority over all things. He has power over all things. He holds the key to the grave and as long as my loved one lives, the Lord has not spoken yet. He has not called him home yet. He has not opened the door to his eternal resting place yet.

Situations like this are often used by the devil to drive a wedge between us and God. I'm thankful to say I haven't once been angry at God, even though this situation is unfair, tragic, and heartbreaking. I know that God is not the author of pain. God does not wish ill on His children nor does He create obstacles in our lives to test us. The devil is the one who torments us and God is the one who strengthens and sustains us.

I know there is no way I'd be functioning right now if it weren't for God. I know myself and my capabilities and facing this reality is not one of them. I know that God is with me as He is with everyone in my family. He is where my hope lies not my anger or sorrow. And even if healing is not part of His plan, I will still say the same thing.

Because of Jesus, we have hope for healing, hope for reconciliation with our loved ones, and we have strength to endure the trials of this life--even the worst of trials, which is loss.

Truthfully, I see God's hand in this situation. He was there, before we even realized it, blessing us with time that, given this type of cancer, we easily could've not had. That's how God works. He is a mysterious crafter, author, working behind the scenes in ways we may never know or understand. Only by His grace do we later see His hand and are comforted in knowing He was with us all along. He will never abandon us, especially not in our heartbreak for the Lord draws near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).

The Bible says Jesus will come like a thief in the night. Well, cancer comes as swiftly and sneakily. It blindsides you when it appears, and once again when it claims its target. Every day with my loved one is a joy-filled blessing, because you never know how many days you have left. That's true of us all.

Death does not often announce itself and yet the easiest thing to take for granted is time.

We think we have a lifetime of it and we do, but at what point does your life end? Situations like this remind us to be present, to not take for granted our time and our health. Facing death reminds you to live and that's exactly what my family and I are doing. We're living. We're making the most of every single moment while praying we have a long lifetime to do just that.

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Comforting Scriptures In Times of Grief

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3

"The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18

"Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day...what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"The righteous perish...but they enter into peace." Isaiah 57:1-2

"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:8

"...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain." Revelation 21:4

"We do not grieve like those who have no hope...God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

"Do not fear, for I am with you...I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you." Psalm 55:22