Finding Christ in Cancer: How Confronting Death Led to New Faith

I was diagnosed with cancer three years ago, at age nineteen. I was far, far away from the Lord at the time. I believed in “God”, but only vaguely; though I once “accepted Christ” at church, I had no understanding of who He was and I certainly didn’t turn away from sin. Like most people, I was not only unbothered by my sins — I loved them. My sins were my comforts. I was hard-working, despite bouts of loneliness, depression, and anxiety, so I believed that I deserved to do whatever pleased me.  

But, when I got sick, all of that came to a standstill. I realized that the striving and the partying had done nothing to fulfill me. I was young, sick, and empty. As my condition worsened and I was confronted by death, I started asking the Big Questions. Could there be more to life than what I could see? Where would I go after I died? I picked up a Bible that I had lying around; while reading, I was quickly, supernaturally led to repentance. I pled for forgiveness and, for the first time, I surrendered and decided to abandon my sins. 

I didn’t know what to do with my life, so I asked God for a sign; that night, He sent me a dream. I saw myself back in my old church. I knew the dream was from God; sure enough, when I woke up, the Spirit that He pours out on all who believe in Him was poured out on me. It was an indescribable, otherworldly outpour of pure love. In that moment, the Holy Spirit entered me and Jesus Christ became everything.

Despite my newfound joy, I still had cancer. I was still expecting to die. Fortunately, God had other plans. In the following months, He gave me so much wisdom about my health. He delivered me from gluttony and totally renewed my diet and lifestyle. I began relying on man-made medications less and less and began focusing on prayer, fasting, and nutrients from foods. And it worked; today, I’m completely cancer-free.

Only a coupIe of years ago, I was confused, awaiting death, and worst of all, estranged from God. Today, I’m healthy and on fire for Christ. Yearning and pleading for God saved my life. I am here because of His grace. Because of Him, I am free from the sinful, empty life that leads to eternal death. Like all who believe, I have been washed by His blood. I am new. I am His.

God saved me for a purpose and, as He first showed me in that dream, my purpose is to proclaim His name. Most of us can agree that we’re living in a dying world…even the church has fallen asleep. All of us are so hungry for something; we search up and down and are confused when we can’t find it. It took facing death for me to look to Christ. When I finally did, He saved me. He is what we have all been searching for and I aim to share that truth with the world.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)