Hi, I'm new and this morning there were prayers at church as our minister was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It hit me particularly hard and raw as I lost a friend to lung cancer in 2014, so I'm finding it hard to deal with the emotional side. I was crying at the back of church. I had prayer with Rachel from the ministry team and we talked about everyone being in the same boat, feeling anxious for the time ahead, upset, emotionally scared. I'm glad I've got the church community and they are there to turn to, I'm just in shock, upset etc, quite a few people at church are similar. Anyone been in a similar situation struggling with lots of emotions? I don't know how to process it really. Tips on staying positive at such a difficult time?
Hi Jazzy23
so sad to hear about your minister and so good that you have a huge church family to support you. With regard to emotions all that you are feeling is totally normal, yes uncomfortable, but normal.I would encourage you to let yourself experience them all, get them out and talk about how you feel. It’s at times like these our relationships are important and above all our relationship with God. He does not want you to cope with any of this alone, hide in him and he will fight for you!
bless u sending hugs and love 
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Hi and welcome to our little corner of the amazing Macmillan Online Community. I am Mike Thehighlander and I am so sorry to hear your news about your Church Minister xx
Anyone hearing about a friend receiving a cancer diagnosis finds it hard, for Christians, when Cancer shows its face it can make you feel like you’ve been punched in the face by God. That may sound blunt, and depending on where everyone’s relationship with God stands, it may or may not feel that way right now.
Our Fellowship has had to go through these very same emotions a number of times over the past few years including one more just this week. A number like myself are still around and full of Faith for this to continue. But a few other very good friends did not survive. Having walked their cancer journey with them all I have to say at the outset that these friends lived and died well and this was their lasting wish. They did not want pity but to be loved and their family supported.
For most Christians, battling with the whirlwind in the mind is the main thing that we have the control to do. I call it the ‘battle between the ears’ and this has to be fought and won.
The battle has some serious questions that need answering and I won't even try to answer them but they are worth consideration.
What are we supposed to do now?
How do we cope?
What’s the truth?
What does the Bible say?
What are we supposed to believe?
What is the secret to winning after getting a Cancer diagnosis? We know these questions well as we have all had to work through them and came to our own answers. We are going through it or have been through it – and you all can too.
So how should Christians respond if they get Cancer?.......... it is important to realise that you/we are all not alone.
As Christians we do have a secret weapon. A Cancer diagnosis, whether for ourselves, or for someone we love is difficult to accept. There is a temptation to feel as though Christians are somehow entitled to exemption from sickness, disease, or hardship. Without knowing the truth, and surrounding yourself with healthy support, the default reaction you may experience is fear.
But our secret weapon in the battle against fear is nothing less than God’s love. The apostle John knew and experienced God’s love in such an intimate way that he could say, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (John 4:18). He knew, deep in his soul, that God loved him-regardless of how he felt at any given moment and regardless of his circumstances.
Our cancer journeys are full of mile stones of Faith, Faith that God is in charge regardless of what we think or actually understand. You can see some of our stories by hitting our forum names and see these as an encouragement as to what God can do.
At times like these we may feel that there is no hope but as long as we have a connection, that we have Faith and prayer support then there is always Hope.
We are around to help out and support.
Hi again , good that you you found the posts helped you. But battling the brain storm takes time and perseverance.
7 years ago our pastor and a very good friend of 28 years was one of those people diagnosed with cancer. He had an invasive operation and now has yearly checks and he remains cancer clear.
The main thing he promoted was that he had not changed, yes cancer had invaded his body but he was clear that the cancer would not define him but his Faith and trust would.
He also requested that the folks in the Church should not take the burden of his cancer on themselves but be proactive in praying for him and his family and supporting his family practically during the time he was in hospital and recovering.
Stress can drain the brain and start to use up your daily energy intake so look after yourself xx
