Beyond the Pink: Finding Joy, Faith, and Strength in the Battle Against Breast Cancer
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and while the world turns pink in solidarity, I find myself reflecting on three incredible women in my life who faced breast cancer with unmatched courage. These women have shown me the meaning of resilience, faith, and the beauty of trusting God even when life doesn’t make sense. Their journeys weren't paved with answers or shortcuts but were instead filled with moments of leaning on God, sometimes with tears in their eyes and sometimes with laughter—because humor, after all, is often the best medicine.
The Unexpected Strength in Joy
James 1:2 tells us, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds." Now, let’s be real here—joy is not exactly the first emotion that comes to mind when you’re handed a cancer diagnosis. It’s more like, “Joy? Really, God? Did You mean to say ‘anxiety’ or ‘anger’ or ‘Why me?’” But that’s the beauty of the journey. It’s not about pretending everything is fine; it’s about finding those pockets of joy that sneak in when you least expect them.
These three women showed me that joy doesn’t always come with a smile. Sometimes, joy shows up in a quiet moment, in a belly laugh shared with a friend, or in a cup of coffee that tastes just right. One of them even joked, “Well, at least now I don’t have to worry about bad hair days!” (Let’s just say, she rocked that bald look like a queen!)
The Power of “The Waiting”
As Christians, “the waiting” can be the hardest part of any challenge. We pray, we cry, we ask God to step in—and sometimes, we’re left in what feels like a deafening silence. These women experienced that silence, too. They faced days when treatments felt endless, nights that seemed longer than usual, and moments when they questioned if God even heard their prayers. And isn’t that something we all experience at some point?
It’s during this waiting that we often forget just how good God truly is. It’s easy to shout His praises when life is smooth, but what about when life feels more like a rollercoaster with no brakes? That’s when faith becomes real. One of my dear friends shared with me, “I had to remember that just because I couldn’t see what God was doing didn’t mean He wasn’t working. Sometimes, He’s just rearranging the pieces in ways we can’t see yet.”
Gratitude in the Midst of Chaos
You know, gratitude is a funny thing. It’s easy to be grateful when life is picture-perfect, but throw in a diagnosis, a few sleepless nights, or a boatload of uncertainty, and suddenly gratitude feels like a distant memory. But here’s the twist—gratitude isn’t about denying the pain; it’s about choosing to see God’s hand even in the hardest moments.
These women found ways to be thankful, even when it didn’t make sense. One of them shared how she started a “gratitude journal” during her treatment. Now, let’s be clear—this wasn’t some fluffy, “I’m thankful for sunshine and rainbows” kind of journal. It was raw. It was real. Some days, her gratitude was as simple as, “I’m thankful I didn’t throw up today.” Other days, it was, “I’m thankful for the nurse who made me laugh.” And you know what? Those little moments of gratitude became her anchor.
Living Intentionally Aligned with God
As a life coach, I’ve learned that living a life intentionally aligned with God doesn’t mean we’ll avoid struggles. In fact, it’s often through those very struggles that we find our deepest connection to Him. Trials refine us, shape us, and sometimes, even humor us. The journey isn’t about escaping the hard times but about finding God’s fingerprints all over them.
The three women I’m honoring this month are living testimonies of what it means to walk through fire and come out with a heart still open to joy. They’ve shown me that faith isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about trusting that God is still good, even when life is anything but. It’s about leaning in, even when the path ahead is unclear, and choosing to find moments of laughter and gratitude along the way.
A Final Thought
If you or someone you love is facing a trial right now, I want to encourage you: Lean into God, even when it feels like He’s silent. Find joy in the little things, and don’t be afraid to laugh—even when it feels like the world expects you to cry. And remember, James 1:2 doesn’t say to “pretend to be joyful” or to “force a smile.” It says to “consider it pure joy.” There’s a difference. It’s an invitation to see our trials as part of a bigger story, one where God is always good, always present, and always working—even in the waiting.
So, let’s honor those who’ve faced battles, both seen and unseen, and let’s commit to finding joy, gratitude, and God’s unshakable goodness in our own lives, no matter what trials we face.