Quite a Spiritual Challenge

A few months ago, a long-time friend of mine who has also battled cancer (as is her toddler-aged grandson) asked me if I had ever read the pamplet Don't Waste Your Cancer by John Piper.  She suggested that I get my hands on a copy and read it.  I did purchase it, but since then I have discovered a free download online.

My sister, who has MS, is also familiar with the pamphlet and said she has used some of the points in it when she has been asked to speak at functions at her church.

Here are the topics, along with some of my own notations:

We waste our cancer . . .

• if we don’t hear in our own groanings the hope-filled labor pains of a fallen world. 
• if we do not believe it is designed for us by God.  That is a radical thought, really.
• if we believe it is a curse and not a gift.  Wow!
• if we seek comfort from our odds rather than from God.  Where is my focus if this is what I am doing?
• if we refuse to think about death.  I have found my experience to be rather sobering in this area, not that I dwell on it; but I have thought more about my own mortality.  Whether or not we have a "killer" disease, we really have no guarantee of living a long life. 
• if we think that “beating” cancer means staying alive rather than cherishing Christ.  I need to think about who has brought me through this and live each moment to His glory.
• if we spend too much time reading about cancer and not enough time reading about God.  Reading too much about cancer (or even survivor discussion boards) can be depressing.  Where is my comfort and strength found?  In God.
• if we let it drive us into solitude instead of deepen our relationships with manifest affection.  I found that not holing myself up was a good choice for me.  It apparently also was good for those who volunteered to do so many things for me over the months.
• if we grieve as those who have no hope.  For sure

Those writings sure offer a challenge to me.  I would recommend this pamphlet to any true Christian who is dealing with a "killer" or debilitating disease.  It does put to us some real challenges.
---------------------
www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/books/dont-waste-your-cancer