Supporting Loved Ones Through Breast Cancer

Audio By Carbonatix

When I think of my stepmom, Carol, I’m reminded of her warmth, her kindness, and her strength. Step-moms are supposed to be wicked, or so the stories say, but Carol wasn’t. She always had a smile, a kind word, and an open heart. Even though I was already grown when she married my dad, she took the time to reach out to me. She invited me to visit and helped me understand my father in ways I never had before. She even dove deep into his past, learning about his time in Vietnam and how it had shaped him.

Carol’s strength went beyond the emotional and relational, though. She had already faced two bouts of breast cancer before she married my dad. About seven years into their marriage, the cancer came back. After years of fighting, Carol lost her life, but I know cancer didn’t win. Carol was a woman of deep faith, and even in her final moments, she was pointing my dad to Jesus.

I’ll never forget the story my dad told about her last conscious moments. She was working on a cross-stitch of Jesus’ face, and though she hadn’t completed it, the eyes—made of fabric and thread—had an unexplainable depth. As she lay there, near the end, she pointed to Jesus’ face on the cross-stitch and smiled. Then, she pointed to the space beside her bed. My dad believed, as I do, that she was telling him Jesus was right there with her. The truth is, He was—and He always is.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and for many of us, it’s a time to reflect on the women in our lives who have faced this battle. Two important women in my life, my stepmom Carol and my friend Margaret McSweeney, have both fought breast cancer. In their journeys, I’ve seen what it means to lean on the strength of the Lord in difficult times.

Finding Strength in the Lord

The Bible reminds us time and time again that our strength doesn’t come from our own abilities, but from God. When we face challenges, whether it’s battling cancer or supporting a loved one who is, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But in these moments, we can find peace in knowing that God is our strength and refuge.

Isaiah 40:29 tells us, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” God’s strength is more than enough for the battles we face, and when we feel like we can’t keep going, He carries us through.

Psalm 46:1 reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” No matter what we’re facing, God is with us, just as He was with Carol in her final moments.

How to Support Friends and Family with Breast Cancer

If you have a friend or family member going through breast cancer, you may wonder how to best support them. Watching someone you love battle this disease can be heartbreaking, but there are tangible ways you can show up and be a light in their life during this difficult time.

Here are a few action steps for supporting your loved ones through breast cancer:

1. Pray with them and for them.
   Prayer is powerful. Take time to pray for your loved one’s strength, peace, and healing. Ask God to give them comfort during treatments and to provide wisdom for their medical team. Don’t just tell them you’re praying—pray with them, even over the phone or in person. Psalm 34:17 says, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.”
2. Be present.
   Sometimes the best way to support someone is simply by being there. Whether it’s sitting with them during treatments, going for a walk, or spending time together in silence, your presence is a reminder that they aren’t facing this battle alone. Romans 12:15 reminds us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Be there in both the highs and the lows.
3. Help with practical needs.
   Cancer treatments can be exhausting, and everyday tasks can feel overwhelming. Offer to help with things like cooking meals, running errands, or watching their kids. Sometimes, simple acts of service speak louder than words.
4. Listen.
   It’s important to be a listening ear. Let your loved one share their fears, frustrations, and victories. You don’t have to have the perfect words to say—just being there to listen is enough.
5. Encourage them with God’s Word.
   Share Scripture with your loved one that reminds them of God’s presence and His promises. Verses like Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go,” can be a source of hope and strength.

Christian Books About Breast Cancer

If you’re looking for additional encouragement or resources to share with someone going through breast cancer, here are some Christian books that can offer hope and comfort:

1. Praying Through Cancer: Set Your Heart Free from Fear by Susan Sorensen and Laura Geist
   A collection of short devotions that speak to the hearts of those battling cancer, offering comfort and peace.
2. Dear God, They Say It’s Cancer: A Companion Guide for Women on the Breast Cancer Journey by Janet Thompson
   A Christian perspective on surviving their cancer diagnosis emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, this book offers helpful insights on coping after a diagnosis.
3. Here Comes the Sun: Moments with God in the Seasons of Cancer by Joellen Putnam
   A devotional with inspiring stories of treatment, recovery, and transformation written by a seventeen-year breast cancer survivor.
4. Refined by Fire: A Journey of Grief and Grace by Mary Potter Kenyon
   This book shares one woman’s journey through cancer, grief, and ultimately God’s refining grace, offering comfort to those in similar situations.
5. Hope for the Journey through Cancer by Yvonne Ortega
   This book offers 60 devotions to encourage those on a cancer journey, focusing on finding strength in God.

Reach Out with Love

If you know someone battling breast cancer, now is the perfect time to reach out. Send a card, offer to pray, or simply be present in their life. Let them know they are not alone and remind them that their strength comes from the Lord. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

We may not have all the answers, but we can be the hands and feet of Jesus, offering love and support to those in need.

Just as Carol faced her battle with strength and faith, let us stand beside our friends and family as they face theirs, pointing them to the One who is with them every step of the way.

Additional Resources

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