Pathway to Hope #2
Seeking Hope Outside of Ourselves.
Dear Friend,
When I first found out I had cancer, my natural reaction was to go inward. There were several weeks, maybe even months, where honestly that was all I could do. But eventually, though it seemed like a safe place, I did not find hope there.
I was quickly reminded that experiencing hope—the kind that is real and lasting—requires us to look outside of ourselves. In other words, finding real hope comes from without, not within.
I invite you to walk with me on this pathway to hope, whatever your spiritual background or interest.
For me, my greatest source of hope came came through a relationship with God. And I’m not alone in that belief (later in this email series I’ll share more stories).
When I say relationship, I mean knowing God in a close and personal way, as you do a friend. Except this relationship is very different, as this friend is also the one who created the entire universe! That’s a staggering thought.
Maybe you are thinking, “My heart wants that, but my mind says no.” In other words, you’d like something like that to be possible, but intellectually you’re not ready for such a leap—that God exists, that we can know him, that he is loving. After all, how could a loving God allow suffering? This is not an easy question to answer, but here is an article I found helpful: Where is God in the Midst of Tragedy?
If you have doubts about God, know that you are not alone. My own journey has caused me to ask a lot of questions. I’ve also learned that today at least 1/3 of people in the U.S. come from non-religious backgrounds—in other words, they have little or no experience with faith. That’s very normal these days.
Perhaps, some of you who are reading this are like me—you grew up with a faith background, so the concept of God is not unfamiliar. Maybe you are close to him, or perhaps you feel disconnected.
Regardless of what you believe or don’t believe, I want you consider this: what if it were possible know to God and to be close to him?
If that question throws you, consider checking out these articles before you read on: Is God Real? or Who is God?
For me, as I have faced cancer, this relationship has been critical—even more than my family, friends, or breakthrough treatment (for more, see our story).
God’s help didn’t mean he took away my pain, and my experience was still excruciatingly difficult. But his presence and guidance radically redefined my journey.
I remember when my 2-year-old daughter was learning to do many things on her own, and she insisted—demanded really—on doing so every day. “Do it myself!” She said. She quickly grew upset when my wife or I took away her chance to try. There are plenty of times when she can do things independently, but then there were many things, she couldn’t (or shouldn’t) do herself yet.
This is a great parallel: when it comes to finding hope: we can’t do it ourselves. We need help outside of ourselves.
For me—and many other survivors—facing cancer has been deeply humbling. At many points I have been forced to acknowledge my need for others, and especially God, more than I ever have. And yet, so often this has actually proved a positive.
In the next Pathway, I’m going to share more about my story—how I discovered hope from ashes.
Yours for hope,
Chris Lawrence
Founder of Hope Has Arrived
Three steps you can take:
Ponder: How willing are you to look outside of yourself for hope?
Remember: The journey to finding real hope begins by looking without, not within.
Consider: These words of hope: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?” (Psalm 121:1)
Don’t want to wait for the next email to keep reading? Access the next Pathway here. Or, return to the previous.