Today I discussed with an unbeliever regarding cancer. His point is that he does not believe in God because he don’t think God should allow children to suffer from cancers. Here are my thoughts.

Jesus mentioned that sometimes diseases/illnesses are for punishment of sins, sometimes to glorify God.

John 9: Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind ¹As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. ²His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  ³“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

I cannot tell you why God let diseases (cancer) happen. And No one so far can conquer death except Jesus. There are one thing I am certain. If you believe the bible, the cancer casualties or all the dead will be raised for judgment. God is just and fair. He will repay each of us according to what we have done. God has promised those who surpass the judgment a place that is without illness or tear. Only happiness and peace.

I also noticed there is some differences when facing death among Christians and non Christians. I observed this when I worked in the palliative/cardiology/emergency departments. Unbelievers tend to feel nervous, angry, in denial, or agitated when facing imminent death. Christians seem to be prepared for their own “death”, they appear more relax and gentle when facing it. Even their relatives are the same. This is because Christians know there is afterlife and they will meet their love ones again. The usual expression of grief do exist undoubtedly for the love ones’ departure.