A Story of Cancer and Comfort

This broadcast brought tears to my eyes, this morning. Listen to the broadcast by clicking on the title and click on "listen now". The Rev. David Jeremiah describes how his faith in God sustained him during two bouts with cancer. He also explains why he believes God allows suffering, and offers encouragement to those facing trying circumstances. (Part 1 of 2) This was very comforting to me because I have gone through some circumstances that were difficult. Yet, after hearing this, I am even more convinced that suffering builds character and draws you closer to God.

Related Article , "Suffering Brings Wisdom," Perspective by Randall Murphree

“I want to tell you, you can learn a lot from being sick,” said Dr. David Jeremiah. The popular author, speaker and media teacher made that observation to a national group of Christian journalists gathered May 6 - 10 in San Diego for the annual convention of the Evangelical Press Association.

Participants included writers and editors from Charisma, Christianity Today, Moody, AFA Journal and scores of other Christian periodicals.

Dr. Jeremiah is qualified to address the issue of suffering and sickness. Pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church, El Cajon, Calif., he was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1994. After treatment, he thought he had weathered the storm, but in 1998 the cancer recurred. Surgery removed a nodule from his neck, and in early 1999 he had a stem cell transplant.

“It was the darkest night of my soul, a nightmare with no hope of waking,” he wrote in his latest book, A Bend in the Road: Caves In Experiencing God When Your World (Word, 2000). The book is a chronicle of his battle with cancer and the life lessons God taught him in the process. Today, he again has hope and lives in remission.

Jeremiah told the journalists he has learned many things through his experience with cancer, including the power of prayer, the persistence of Satan and the perspective of attitude. He says studies show that attitude can be as important as medical treatment for a cancer patient. “Attitude comes from your personal walk with the Lord,” he said.

Dr. Jeremiah’s "Turning Point" program is aired internationally on more than a thousand TV and radio stations. In addition to serving as pastor at Shadow Mountain, he is chancellor of Christian Heritage College in El Cajon and has written 12 books, including Jesus’ Final Warning and The Handwriting on the Wall.

Randall Murphree is a freelance writer and editor of American Family Association Journal in Tupelo, Miss.