A blog about spirituality by our patient group
Many people facing a diagnosis of cancer question their beliefs. And I don’t just mean people of faith. The very meaning of life is under scrutiny at times like this. And we wonder what will help and who to turn to.
It’s easy to think that if you have a faith then you can turn to your God and for many that is the case. But many get very cross with their God – ‘how could he let this happen?’ is something that I have heard often. Some pray for a miracle and many will silently swear that if they get through this then they will always ……. And will never again……………
Having cancer tests your core beliefs – it shakes you – makes you wonder what you believe in. This is the time to talk to those your trust. The time to ask your vicar, your priest, your rabbi and your imam (sorry – I have missed some – it would be a long list). It’s also the time to talk to your friends who share your beliefs – whatever they are.
There is no right way to do this. Many will try to tell you that there is. You will be told to ‘be brave’, to ‘trust in ……..’ to ‘fight this disease’. It is for you to find out what works for you. For some it is about ritual – whether that is lighting a candle, or prayer, or chanting or meditating – or any other spiritual event. It’s about what works for you – it might be a time of experimenting and finding out things you never knew before. It might be simply going for a walk and looking at the wonder of nature.
I have often asked and been asked, ‘where is God in this?’ – and you can put in that phrase anything you want – basically ‘what is the meaning to all this?’ These thoughts can be uncomfortable. That’s why talking them through can help. Maybe with someone who shares your ideas on life but definitely with someone you trust. You might read books and you might listen to podcasts -find what works for you. This is one of the reasons that once this treatment is all over it is practically impossible to go back to ‘normal’. Life is changed by confronting a potentially life limiting illness. ‘Normal’ will be new and quite possibly different. It’s one of those life changing events that takes time and thought to process. Take time to reflect on what really matters.
