One need not journey long in life before the air is sucked from your lungs by the C word. Before you can get your bearings, the cancer roller-coaster sweeps you away through uncertain plunges, dark tunnels, with painful twists and turns. Tests. Biopsies. Scans. Surgeries. Chemo. Radiation. Horrible side effects. 

Cancer has earned its badge to induce fear. Unwelcome, it tears at families’ hearts and lives, is no respecter of person or position; of age or strength. It dares to return to households bearing scars from previous encounters. 

Today the computer screen glares empty, and the enemy snickers and  taunts, “Go ahead. Talk about treasures in the hard today. Let’s see whatcha got.” 

For we find ourselves, stunned and heartbroken, walking with our arms around our son’s family, as their hearts wrap around his wife’s family. The C word. Cancer. One week. From diagnosis until they released this beautiful mother, vital in supporting her husband’s work and the raising of four children, into the arms of Jesus. One. Devastating. Week.

And the question shouted at the heavens innumerable times through centuries, resurrects and resounds again in the deepest recesses of our souls. “Why, Lord?” 

Sitting in His presence, grappling to process the reality, I began digging up recent and past sorrows brought on by cancer. He watched as I laid each one before Him, saying “Look, Lord. See the pain cancer has brought upon so many I love.” He nodded with tenderness saying, “I know, daughter. I was there. When my children suffer, I am present and active. In suffering and sorrow My love and compassion are most tangible. For I am a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” (Isaiah 53:3)

As we bring our fear and sorrow before the Lord, shaken with the abruptness of tragedy, He listens. He comforts. He ministers. And He stirs with great compassion toward us. 

“Now”, He said. “Take your eyes off of your C word and focus on Mine until your heart rests.” He opened to me a treasure trove of His C words, the beauty and power of which cannot be tainted or touched by cancer, or any disease or circumstance. They are words proclaiming who we are in Christ, bringing peace and strength to our bruised souls. 

For we are:

Called:   “(God) has saved us and called us.” 2 Timothy 1:9
               “…who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
               “Who called you to His eternal glory.” 1 Peter 5:10

Chosen: “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world.” Ephesians 1:11
               “But you are a chosen people.” I Peter 2:9

Cherished: “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3
               “… just as Christ cherishes the church.” Ephesians 5:29 (RSV)
               “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us.” I John 3:1

Comforted: “For your rod and staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
               “You are my Comforter in sorrow.” Jeremiah 8:18
               “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
               “The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts
                         us in all our trouble.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Covered: “He will cover you with his feathers, and under His wings you
will find refuge.”Psalm 91:4
               “…and covered you with the shadow of my hand.” Isaiah 51:16

Cared for: “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those
                         who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7
               “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Confident: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so
we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time
of need.” Hebrews 4:16
               “So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.’ ”
Hebrews 13:6

Crowned: “You crowned him with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:5
               “Everlasting joy will crown their heads.” Isaiah 51:11
               “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness.” 2 Timothy 4:8 

Children of God: “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed
in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12
               “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we
                         should be called children of God.” I John 3:1

Perhaps you are battling cancer today, or feel its harsh effects by walking beside a loved one living in its shadow. The C word does not define you. Jesus does. And He declares you are a called, chosen, cherished, comforted, covered, cared for, confident, crowned, Child of God.

Sit in the presence of your Lord today and let these truths sink deep into your heart. May you feel His presence in a tangible way as you soak in His mercy and compassion toward you. He is with you. And He holds you. His cherished, chosen, child.