There is a word that strikes fear in every heart. We don’t want to hear it connected to our name, the name of a relative or a friend. Cancer is a word that devastates the most optimistic heart. It fills hearts with questions, doubt, uncertainty, denial, fear, and hopelessness.
We often wonder, What can I say? Because of fear of saying the wrong thing, so often the card we bought lays on our desk, eventually buried from putting other items on top of it. To encourage turning our intentions into action, here are five gifts to consider tucking into an envelope:
5 Gifts We Can Write to Cancer Fighters
1. Hope -- for healing here or in heaven
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
2. God’s Presence – even on the hard days
God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Hebrews 13:5b-6).
3. Distraction – a funny story or a memory
A joyful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 24:22). You will never believe what I did at the grocery store today…
4. Love – both yours and God’s
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again (Jeremiah 31:3-4).
5. Rest – for the body and soul
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge (Psalm 62:1, 8).
Acknowledge the long and tough battle ahead of them. Instead of a blanket, “I love you,” say, “I love your sense of humor,” or “I’ve always loved your beautiful smile.”
Bow your head over your card, whisper a Help me, God, and then write – even if it’s I’m so, so sorry.
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Beautiful post and in God's timing. I appreciate this, as learned of two women in our church recently diagnosed. Thank you for sharing ways to encourage them!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. It's good to know the scriptures but also the words.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Janis
my friend is an oncology nurse - I will pass this on to her - thanks for your encouragement. blessings, sue
ReplyDeleteLove that you are sharing this - we need to have the right heart to write and prayer certainly will cultivate that heart.
ReplyDeleteWow this is awesome! My son's God mother and my cousin both was diagnosed with cancer and I did not know what to do or say. This is perfect but thank God they are both healed and they have both beat breast cancer! God is good!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday!
ReplyDeleteLove these. Sharing with some friends who can use them.
ReplyDelete