Category melanoma survivors

Five Signs Your Cancer Struggles Are Normal

My response to Pauline F.’s question was a no-brainer. During the 12 years since my cancer battle, and seven years with Stronghold Ministry helping people fight cancer, it’s the question I’m asked most frequently. I too had the question during my…

"beating" cancer, battling cancer, cancer support, depression and cancer, emotions, facing death, handling trials, helping cancer patients, melanoma survivors, weakness & strength

Joe Fornear
July 17, 2015
2 Comments

Ultimate Pain Relief

– Joe Fornear During times of crisis, a burning question captivates and troubles the minds of many. “Lord, if You really love me, why don’t You remove my pain – now?” Some ask the question innocently and honestly, willing to “listen”…

goodness of God, living for eternity, melanoma survivors

Joe Fornear
June 29, 2015
2 Comments

Those Annoying Bible Verses on Suffering with Joy

To me, joy and suffering seem mutually exclusive - I have one or the other - never both at once. Yet, joy is the response to suffering which God consistently encourages in His Word.

emotions, goodness of God, handling trials, melanoma survivors, power of God, rest, surviving melanoma, weakness & strength

Joe Fornear
September 24, 2014

Three Responses to Adversity

Enlisting trials won’t make them easy, but it will cut them down to manageable size.

battling cancer, cancer support, caretakers, goodness of God, handling trials, melanoma survivors, power of God, surviving melanoma, weakness & strength

Joe Fornear
September 11, 2014

Is It True – No Pain-No Gain?

As a Stage IV melanoma survivor, the purifying fires of pain have swept through my own heart. Struggles have the potential to revise values and refocus priorities, setting us free from the empty desires and tyrannous demands of life.

battling cancer, cancer support, melanoma survivors, suffering, surrender, surviving melanoma, survivors

Joe Fornear
August 28, 2014

Are We There Yet?

Like little children in the back seat of our Heavenly Father’s car, we call out, “Are we there yet?” Sometimes endurance is our only choice.

battling cancer, cancer support, caretakers, comfort, faith and unbelief, God's love, goodness of God, handling trials, melanoma survivors, Stronghold Ministry, suffering

Joe Fornear
June 16, 2014
1 Comment

Having Dropped Calls?

Sometimes I think we see prayer like a cell phone contract. It's hard not to expect Him to perform - to answer when we call. Reconciling this was a struggle during my battle with Stage IV cancer. If He really loved me, He should be as committed to my well-being and comfort as I am, right?

battling cancer, cancer support, caretakers, comfort, God's love, melanoma survivors, power of God, prayer, surviving melanoma

Joe Fornear
June 4, 2014
1 Comment

Five Life-changing Outcomes of Suffering

Fortunately for us, the Lord never meant suffering to be just a cruel and bitter pill to be dutifully swallowed. Suffering is a path, never a destination.

battling cancer, cancer support, comfort, dependence, goodness of God, handling trials, melanoma survivors, power of God, rest, surrender, surviving melanoma, weakness & strength

Joe Fornear
May 2, 2014

God Has a Tattoo and You’re In It

He is encouraging us to focus on His amazing love which leads to His vice-like grip! It's as if He is saying, "I love you so much that I permanently inscribed YOU on to My hands; I CAN'T let go of you!"

cancer support, caretakers, comfort, God's love, goodness of God, handling trials, melanoma survivors, surviving melanoma

Joe Fornear
March 12, 2014

The F Word and Cancer – Focus

– By Joe Fornear Not a day goes by that I don’t read or hear the f bomb dropped on cancer, or the phrase “cancer sucks.” Trust me, I totally understand the sentiment, and I’m not in judgment mode here.…

"beating" cancer, battling cancer, cancer support, depression and cancer, handling trials, melanoma survivors, suffering, surviving melanoma

Joe Fornear
February 18, 2014