Finding hope in the midst of cancer is one of the stories God is writing in our family and our faith, told day by day and moment by moment. When we first heard Eric’s diagnosis of Stage 3 Colon Cancer, fear and uncertainty flooded in like a rising tide. But standing in that storm, I was reminded again and again of the steady presence of Christ and the hope that does not disappoint. I was reminded that none of us are promised tomorrow and to cherish each person and moment in our lives.
Finding hope amongst pain.
Cancer brought so many things to the surface: vulnerability, desperation, and an ache for answers that sometimes never come.
It also brought a new way of seeing God’s faithfulness. I’ve learned through every doctor's appointment and long night that God meets us where we are, not where we wish we were. The Psalms say He draws near to the brokenhearted, and that has never felt truer as we walked this hard road as a family.
We’ve never had to walk this alone.
Our Newbreak Church family, friends near and far, and even strangers have walked with us praying, dropping off meals, writing encouraging notes, and just showing up in the beautiful, ordinary ways people do when they love like Jesus. Every prayer, every kind word, every reminder that we are not forgotten, has been a small flame keeping hope alive when things felt darkest. It's also been a testament to my children of what being a part of a loving church family should be like.
Hope, for me, is a choice every single day.
It isn’t pretending that everything is okay, but believing that God is bigger than every setback and every tear. Every scrap of good news from doctors, every laugh in the midst of tears, every quiet morning where I could sense God’s nearness, watching my young men step up, these are miracles, too. I’m learning to notice the mercies that are new every morning, and even when the night feels long, to trust that the sun will rise again.
Our story isn’t finished, and maybe yours isn’t either.
Still, I know without a doubt that cancer may have changed the shape of our lives, but it could never diminish the love of Christ or the hope He offers. One day at a time, we are confident that hope is enough, because He is with us, always, in every valley and on every mountain.
Written by JoAnn Johnson
JoAnn Johnson is the Lead Pastor at Newbreak Church. JoAnn and her husband, Eric, love San Diego and exploring all the great beaches with their two boys and dogs. Prior to serving at Newbreak she worked with the SoCal Network of the Assemblies of God providing leadership and training for hundreds of churches and pastors. She is excited for the future of Newbreak Church, as we continue to develop leaders who change their communities.
Thank you for sharing this deeply personal and inspiring testimony. Stories like yours remind us that even in the hardest seasons of life, hope and community make all the difference — whether it’s the steady presence of faith, the support of loved ones, or simple acts of kindness that keep hope alive day by day.