Cancer is a horrible thing. Everyone knows it. It's not an opinion, it's not a guess, it's a fact. It has the ability to destroy beautiful things. It has the ability to destroy lives, families, anyone and everyone who comes in its path. It has the ability to destroy the things God has created. There's not a whole lot else that has that ability besides the weather and man-made things. Cancer is small, yet it has extreme power. Cancer is a monster; as some of my friends on Facebook call it 'the Monster.' I hate cancer with every bone in my body.
As I sit here (well actually lay here since I am typing this on my phone in bed) I realize that at times cancer can be like satan. Satan is a thief; he steals, kills and destroys (John 10:10). Cancer is small, so is satan. Cancer attacks with life-threatening force, so does satan. Satan preys on the weak, so does cancer. Satan never gives up, neither does cancer. Satan is stupid, so is cancer. Satan tries to take over your life, he tries to make you feel worthless. Cancer tries to weaken your life; it makes your body feel helpless. But in the mist of it all, no matter what or who is attacking you, God is always there.
Often times cancer is unexplainable, untreatable; cancer appears with no warning; the threat is so great, you no longer have power. Those with cancer often have to let others take control; they have to ask for help, seek options, and wait in anticipation. But they do it with hope. They wait in anticipation that a treatment will work; that a cure will come. They have family, friends, doctors, fellow patients, and survivors with them every step of the way. They have God carrying them every step of the way, whether they believe it or not. Their hope is in the future; that a cure will come, that their health will improve. Even when cancer is causing them to feel exhausted and helpless, they have hope. Satan steals our hope; cancer intensifies it.
Cancer has been cruel to us this year. Between my mom's battle earlier this year and two little friends currently battling the Monster. One little friend just found out that his cancer has returned stronger and more widespread than when he was first diagnosed in 2009. He is only 9 and his cancer is ravishing his little body yet again. The doctors and his parents are trying their hardest to find a treatment plan that will work because the last one was unsuccessful. His parents are searching and praying that something will work; that some clinical trial will work; that cancer won’t take their son away from them. My heart breaks for them every time I read one of their posts on Facebook and Caringbridge. Our bodies aren’t meant to endure that amount of sickness and pain that comes with cancer and treatment. I am sure they are asking the same questions as I did when both Sarah and my mom were diagnosed. I am sure they are asking lots of 'why' questions. I know how difficult it was to watch my sister and my mom go through it; I can’t imagine having to watch my child go through it, let alone twice in a few years. But through it all I am amazed at their strength and hope. Obviously they are hurting, sad and frustrated but their hope is in God; they believe in the power of prayer and the power of God. They have hope; they have strength; they have support. Satan is attacking them and they are fighting against him with all their might; they are trying to resist his overwhelming presence. They are choosing not to be overpowered; they are choosing to have faith in God. Faith makes the hardest times in life, that much easier.
I ask that all my friends please pray for the Jostad’s and Ethan while he fights hard.
