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7.1 HOLDING ONTO HOPE - NAVIGATING THROUGH THE STORM OF CANCERS RECURRENCE WITH FAITH

dwshandley

FAITH 


Currently, I am engrossed in Bear Grylls' book titled Soul Fuel, which prompted me todelve into the subject of 'hope' for this section. While reading this book, an impactful quotation caught my attention. It led me to ponder the significance of hope during a disheartening period when we received the news of the cancer's resurgence. At this time it felt as if the ground had violently slipped from beneath our feet, leaving us sprawled in a seemingly bleak and desolate state of hopelessness.


In his words, Bear conveys a tone of encouragement and resilience:

'HOPE FOR YOU AND ME HOWEVER DIFFICULT OUR SITUATIONS may be -

However much trouble we are facing in life - there can always be hope.

Hope transcends everything: every pain, sorrow, fear and loss.

Hope is what sets us apart as children of God. Hope is the light to the dark, the comfort to the pain.


'Hope comes from knowing God's love for you. We might not feel very hopeful of anything, but His hope is out there - close.

Just look for it. Trust it. Even a tiny glimmer is enough. Great fires are started from tiny embers. Just hold on and look up.

Hope through the pain and through the doubts. Have faith, and know that faith and doubt are simply two sides of the same coin. You will have many doubts. Don't worry. Accept them and know that faith must be close by. Whatever we face, He faces it beside us. He will never desert us.


The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18


Take heart. All will be well.

HOPE COMES FROM KNOWING GOD's LOVE FOR YOU,'

Bear Grylls Soul Food 2019


My first experience of learning about hope came when I visited a new Church in Birmingham.


Wow! That was my first impression. This moment marked a crucial turning point in my faith journey. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. On my first visit to Gas Street Church, a band unexpectedly stormed in and performed 'God's Great Dance Floor,' and I found myself joyfully pogoing along with everyone to this energetic song. Prior to this experience, my only encounters with dance floors in central Birmingham on a Sunday morning had involved stumbling out of nightclubs in the early hours, desperately searching for a taxi to take me home safely. That first visit to Gas Street Church left an indelible imprint of joy and elation on my heart, far surpassing any other experience I had ever had on any dance floor or even in any other church.


As soon as I arrived home, I couldn't contain my excitement and immediately shared with Catherine how amazing Gas Street Church was, urging her to see it for herself.


Coincidentally, this was also the time when my family and I were facing our own set of challenges as we embarked on our journey of faith. Little did I know that God had led us to Church for a reason - He knew what lay ahead. My beloved wife, the mother of my three children, was gravely ill. Cancer had firmly taken hold of her.


After diagnosis we were thrust into a cold, dark, and damp hole of fear and hopelessness. However, amidst the bleakness, there was a glimmer of hope; a chink of light. At this time, I felt that the way to rediscover hope was through Church and knowing Jesus. It was as if God used Church as His portal to connect with us and help us experience faith.


Church enabled us to establish a connection with God and develop a deeper understanding of faith that resonated with our needs. Over the ensuing years of turmoil, Church became our sanctuary, a safe haven for connecting with God and nurturing our faith.


Through our involvement with Church, we learned that God is always by our side, walking alongside us. Church became our protective shield, buffering us from the harsh blows that life can throw at us. To me, this shield represented hope - hope that our broken hearts could be mended, hope that would alleviate our fears, hope that would dry our tears. It was through this hope that we witnessed the beauty and kindness of Jesus, a guiding light illuminating our path. This hope fostered the growth of our faith, intertwining with our deepest fears.


Hope is a beacon of light, shining brightly even in our darkest moments. It stands near to Love, which we believe is the greatest force in existence.


It is beyond doubt that Church is where God provides sanctuary, establishes a firm foundation, and bathes us in the brilliant, dazzling colors of Faith, Hope, and Love. Having faith in Jesus and being an active part of a church community allows us to meet and truly know Him for who He is - "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).

We Found hope in Hopeless place and its all there for anyone who chooses to believe.


Lets Pray!

 

Dear God,

In this moment of despair, we come to you with a heavy heart and weary soul, questioning and seeking. We ask that Your divine guidance be upon us, especially for those selflessly dedicating their lives to caregiving, those finding themselves caring for the loved ones plagued by secondary cancer. Lord, we understand that human strength often stumbles, but we gather courage from the fact that with You, all things are possible.


Lord, may they find hope in the most unexpected corners of their journey, awakening to the reality even in their darkest moments, that Your light eternally guides us. Inspire them with your wisdom, resilience and peace. Help them perceive the miracles and blessings, however small, amidst their tumultuous journey.


God, we talk to you about the weary ones who spend their days and nights worrying, caring, loving, and holding onto faith, often at the expense of their own well-being. We ask for unwavering strength and energy for them. May their hearts find solace in the assurance that their labor of love is not in vain.


We seek for Your comfort counsel, steering them through their voyage filled with uncertainty and doubt. May they uncover the wisdom to recognize their limits, also the courage to seek help and companionship when needed - demonstrating the humility in recognising that we were never meant to walk this journey alone.


We pray, Lord, for those for whom they care. Touch their bodies with Your healing hand. While we fervently wish for physical healing, we also pray for tranquility and acceptance, that they might find comfort and growth in this trying time, remaining steadfast in their fight.


And finally, God, amidst the suffering, allow them to glimpse hope, reflecting your enduring love. Let them lean on Your promises, strengthening their faith, and finding the beauty and grace in all circumstances. Their path may be steep and torturous; however, with You, there is always hope, always love, always mercy.

In Your loving name, we pray.


Amen.



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