Longer version: Marissa does a wonderful job in this book of calling us to action. She offers sage advice and provides many pertinent examples as how best to provide love and support for the benefit of our friend and their family from the time of diagnosis all the way through to survivorship. We have an opportunity to engage with our friend, “meet them where they are”, and provide assurance that they are not all alone at an extremely difficult time in their lives. Marissa also reminds us that the One who created us has not abandoned our friend, nor us. Our friend’s cancer diagnosis provides an opportunity to gently move toward them, sharing the love of Christ by being His hands and feet, and entering into their suffering in the same way Jesus entered into ours. It is a journey worth taking, and Loving Your Friend through Cancer is an excellent travel guide. Concise version: Cancer sucks (with apologies again to Marissa’s mom). Marissa helps us understand how beneficial it can be when we are willing to share in our friend’s suffering in the same way Jesus shares in ours. What I propose we use from Brian: Marissa reminds us that the One who created us has not abandoned our friend, nor us. Our friend’s cancer diagnosis provides an opportunity to gently move toward them, sharing the love of Christ by being His hands and feet and entering into their suffering in the same way Jesus entered into ours. It is a journey worth taking, and Loving Your Friend through Cancer is an excellent travel guide. -- Brian Holt, president and CEO, Hope Cancer Resources
This immanently practical book gives gospel-infused advice from a fellow pilgrim who has been shepherded through the valley of the shadow of death. Marissa calls the Body of Christ to engage head, heart and hands to come alongside those who are suffering. -- Karen Hodge, PCA womens ministry coordinator
Anyone who’s been touched by cancer, in any degree, will be helped and comforted by this beautiful book. Marissa addresses a difficult, life-changing battle with eloquence, truth, and intense practicality, inviting us into her cancer story and to the God who is her hope. I see Jesus in Marissa as she proclaims him through her sufferings, and I pray he will equip many readers through her wise counsel in these pages. -- Kristen Wetherell, coauthor, Hope When It Hurts: Biblical Reflections to Help You Grasp Gods Purpose in Your Suffering
Marissa Henley has written an excellent resource for those of us who have friends struggling with cancer. This will now be the first place I'll go as I seek to care for people with any serious illness (not just cancer). Marissa's practical helps are worth the price of the book. -- Dave Furman, senior pastor, Redeemer Church of Dubai; author, Being There: How to Love Those Who Are Hurting and Kiss the Wave: Embracing God in Your Trials
"When you walk beside someone with the life-changing diagnosis of cancer, knowing what to do and say is so difficult. As a professional counselor, I’m excited for people in that position to have the honest perspective that Marissa brings to these difficult circumstances. And on a personal note, as someone who has lost three family members to cancer over the last three years, I wish I’d had this book to share with our community.” -- Michelle Nietert, clinical director, Community Counseling Associates; Counselor Thoughts podcaster; speaker; author
This book is for women whose friends have or had cancer, but I am not a woman and I was helped, encouraged in my own physical battles, filled with endless ideas on how to love, and refreshed by Marissa’s wisdom on what words help and what don’t. Imagine the church as a community that wisely loves those with all kinds of physical problems—fewer foolish words, lots of meals and other practical initiatives, and praying over the long haul. This book will contribute to that vision. Your good intentions will be shaped into practical, even confident care and compassion. This is a great book. -- Ed Welch, Counselor and Faculty Member, Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation
