I Have This Friend…Who Has Stage 4 Cancer | I Have This Friend, Part 2

I Have This Friend…Who Has Stage 4 Cancer | I Have This Friend, Part 2

What does my friend feel, think, or believe….
Fear
Deep Sadness
Worry
Doubts/Question faith
Anger
Pain

“God whispers to us in our pleasures but shouts in our pain.” – C.S. Lewis

Psalm 88:1-4,18
O Lord, God of my salvation,
I cry out day and night before you.
2 Let my prayer come before you;
incline your ear to my cry!
3 For my soul is full of troubles,
and my life draws near to Sheol.
4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit;
I am a man who has no strength,
18You have taken from me friend and neighbor—

What does the Bible have to say…..

*We don’t have to fear even in the midst of fearful situations because God is with us wherever
we go and through whatever we are going through.

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. and do not be
dismayed, for ”

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through,
I will ,
for ;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

Isaiah 41:10
, for ; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Philippians 1:21
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
What does the Bible say about healing?

Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

James 5:14
Is anyone among you ? Let him , and let them pray over him,
anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Matthew 8:2-3
And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord,
.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, .” And
immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

How do I have meaningful conversations with this friend….

1. Focus on being & – Allow them to express their emotions and
concerns, and ask questions to get to know them better and understand what they are
struggling with. The Book of Psalms is a great source to point them to as your friend openly
expresses their feelings and frustrations (much of Psalms is David lamenting).

2. Avoid “”, and “” theology.

3. Focus your friend’s attention on , not .

2 Cor. 4:17-18
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all
comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For
the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

4. Encourage them to follow God’s Word even through difficult times

What is one prayer that I can consistently pray for them…

“God, I pray that my friend will keep their eyes fixed on you through their storm! I pray for
strength, comfort, and peace as they battle cancer. Lord, if you are willing please heal my friend
but more importantly please help them experience your presence and love in tangible ways.”

What next step do I need to take…
1. Go be the
2. Practice the ministry of presence
3. Share a or a