262 How To Help a Friend Facing Cancer

Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson podcast

Episode Summary:

We all want to help. When we hear someone whose been given a devastating diagnosis, we want to try to help make things better. Or, at least make things less bad. But, sometimes, inadvertently, we can say and do things that cause more harm than good. Through my history with cancer and my husband's history with cancer, we've learned a few things. So in this replay of a conversation I had with Amy Connell, I'm going to share some insights that I think you'll find helpful so you can know how best to help a friend with cancer.

This episode not only sheds light on the emotional and physical challenges of cancer but also on how friends can effectively and sensitively be a source of comfort and strength during such trying times.

Quotables from the Episode:

• Keep your questions to a minimum. (It can be exhausting answering everybody's questions.
• It's even nicer to listen to an audio text or to read a prayer because I can hold on to that and pull it out again when I'm at a loss for words
• Don't just throw scripture at them. We want to have the right thing to say, and we want to do something to take their pain away, but we don't know what that is. So we fill it in with a Bible verse.
• Ask permission before giving advice. We want to help, but unsolicited advice can sometimes backfire.
• Consider tangible expressions of your support... something as simple as clean sheets can be deeply meaningful.

Scripture References:

Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Social Media Links for Guest and Host:

Connect with Amy Connell:

Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:

Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube

About Amy Connell:

Amy Connell is a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach who is passionate about equipping women to find balanced, sustainable ways of taking care of their uniquely created bodies. Amy helps women realize that their eating and the way they move their body doesn’t have to be perfect, and that the reason we take care of our body is so we can do what we are called by God to do. She does this through a variety of platforms, including her Graced Health podcast, books, social media education, and one-on-one coaching.

About Dr. Michelle Bengtson:

Dr. Michelle Bengtson is an international speaker, a national and international media resource on mental health, and the bestselling, award-winning author of Hope Prevails, the Hope Prevails Bible Study, Today Is Going to Be a Good Day, and Breaking Anxiety’s Grip. She is also the host of the award-winning podcast Your Hope-Filled Perspective.

A board-certified clinical neuropsychologist in private practice for more than twenty years, Dr. Bengtson blogs regularly and offers a wide variety of resources on her website, DrMichelleB.com.

Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson