Facing Terminal Illness
The news of terminal illness can shatter the life of a believer and bring sadness to his family and friends. It can also bring confusion, doubt, fear and worry. But the Lord doesn’t want His precious children to feel abandoned and without hope. For He assures them that He will be with them in every step and will never leave them nor forsaken them (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus feels the pain of those that have terminal illness. For He was troubled by the sorrow of Jairus’ family (Luke 8:41-42) and He also wept when Lazarus died (John 11:35).
The Lord promised, “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). God is “ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). And He will give the power to endure the terminal illness (Philippians 4:13).
Bible Council for Someone With Terminal Illness
First – Make peace with God
The Bible says, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19). Conversion is the act of turning away from the old life of sin. It is done through the power of the Holy Spirit when a man is willing to let God take hold of his life (Revelation 3:20). When the sins get forgiven, then the peace of God that passes all understanding fills the heart of the repentant (Philippians 4:7).
Second – Make peace with men
The Bible says, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16). Sins that involve others are to be confessed to those who have suffered injury. And also a person should choose to forgive those that have hurt him. Forgiveness can lead to feelings of understanding and empathy.
Third – Trust in God
The Bible teaches “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:14,15).
The New Testament records instances of sudden and miraculous recovery to health (Matthew 9:22; Mark 6:56; Acts 3:7; 14:8–10). However, it is good to realize that not every man of faith in God has been restored to health (2 Corinthians 12:7–10).
Requests for healing from terminal illness are to be made in harmony with God’s will, for no man knows what is best for another (Romans 8:26). Some of the most necessary lessons of life are learned in the school of suffering (Hebrews 2:10), and even though God does not cause suffering (James 1:13), He may see best to allow it for His divine purposes.
Accordingly, prayer for the sick should be offered in trust and submission to a loving wise heavenly Father who knows what is best. Therefore, every prayer for healing should include the phrase “Thy will be done” (Matthew 6:10).
Fourth – Have a healthy life style
The sick Christian cannot expect God’s blessing apart from a sincere desire to give up practices which may, in part at least, have caused his illness, and henceforth to live in harmony with the laws of health (1 Corinthians 10:31; 6:19).
Fifth – Do good
Even though a person may be diagnosed with terminal illness (2 Corinthians 12:7-10), he can still bless others in some way. The Bible says, “Depart from evil and do good” (Psalm 34:14). And “the generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself” (Proverbs 11:25; 2 Corinthians 9:6–15).
Sixth – Plan the legal matters
The Bible says, “Put your house in order” (Isaiah 38:1). There are necessary arrangements that are to be taken to ensure the well-being of one’s family after a person passes away.
Seventh – Live in praise
The Bible says, “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones“ (Proverbs 17:22). To rejoice in the Lord, even when diagnosed with terminal illness, is to release powers that will heal and strengthen both mind and body (Proverbs 16:24). Praising God means to trust His good will like a child knowing that He works all things (good or bad) for the person’s best end (Romans 8:28). Cheerfulness often does what other remedies are powerless to achieve.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
