Being diagnosed with a terminal illness can bring us to a level of darkness beyond our imagination.
We can forget who we are, who has the power, and who determines our path.
But God promises to use our challenges to soften our hearts, give us pure joy, and fulfill His ultimate purpose.
To help you or a loved one, here are 4 practical ways to find hope in terminal illness.
2 Corinthians 12:10 says, “That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Jesus said we will have trials on this earth, but remembering who it is that we trust and who overcame brings us hope.
Finding hope in terminal illness requires the courage to lean into the Lord, knowing that He has you and will not let go.
If you or a loved one have been recently diagnosed or have been on this journey for some time, here are some ways to help you find hope, joy, and peace, even amidst the pain.
1. Joy
Finding joy each day is to live intentionally.
We begin to see more clearly because life becomes something we’ve never seen before. The clarity in living every moment with intention and fullness is beyond measure.
Our hearts soften, our eyes see beauty, and our ways begin to shift.
Rejoice, because you are blessed with a gift of seeing all things through Him. You are special, you are chosen, and you are His.
Take time each day to pause and notice something new that you may have overlooked before.
God determined long ago our path on this earth. Before we were born, everything was set into place for us. He knew this illness would come. He can allow it, and He can also heal it.
You may be asking, “How will He use this and what does He want me to do?”
The one thing you can count on for sure is He will use it for His good. We can easily forget the power we have through Christ Jesus. Simply by being a light to others during our battle glorifies Him.
As human beings, our flesh wants to run from pain. But we can be an example to others by showing them that even when on the battlefield we can find hope, joy, and peace because of Him.
2. Strength
It will not be easy; I am not saying it is.
None of it is easy – the medications, treatments, conversations with family and friends.
It will all be hard and emotional, but we can live out life in our convictions during these times instead of our emotions.
Our emotions can lead to fear, which allows a door for the enemy and negativity to enter. But we will have peace and strength through our convictions.
The hard days will come, but our strength comes from the Holy Spirit and that will outlast any hard day that comes our way.
3. Love
Surround yourself with Love.
God is love and that is the strongest of all the promises we have from Him.
He chased you down, He gave His Son because He so loves us. I am not sure about you, but I cannot think of one person on earth who would have done what the Father did for us.
No matter what we are going through, we can rest in His love.
Imagine being held in His hands when you are facing surgery, a test, or treatment. When you I feel the most vulnerable, that is where you feel Him the most.
When His hands reach out to yours, from that moment everything inside of you changes. All is well when you let His love in.
4. Stay Anchored
We know what an anchor is, and we know what it does. It keeps us in one place, sturdy and strong.
Are you tethered to the One who loves you more than anything else, the One who created you?
Are you anchored in His love, so that you are kept steady in the battle?
The way to stay anchored is to read His Word each and every day. To set your soul on fire with His Words.
Throw your anchor deeper than you ever imagined it could go. Being anchored will bring healing not just to your physical body but to your mind, heart, and soul.
Only God knows the truth, and as easy as it is to become consumed with the uncertain, know that He is with you. You do not have to fight alone because He promises that we are never alone.
Keeping yourself anchored in His love allows His work to be done.
We cannot control what will happen, but we can fight with the most amazing healer, hope giver, and way-maker on our side.
He is close to the brokenhearted. So if you still your mind and anchor yourself to the Lord, you will see that you’ve been given a very special gift – the gift of the Father’s love, which surpasses all understanding.
Let hope, love, and faith anchor you, do not waste another moment worrying or fearing about what may happen next. Remember whatever it is, it will be for His glory.
You can do this because He created you for this, let His masterpiece shine.
Your terminal diagnosis isn’t terminal after all – it is His love in action.
