© 2012 by Stacy Lynn Harp

As many of you probably know, Pastor Chuck Smith from Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa fame, has been diagnosed with stage three lung cancer.  He announced to his church on New Years Day that he had cancer, but at the time didn’t say what stage it was.  Now we know it’s in stage three, which anyone who has ever dealt with any form of cancer, knows is bad.

The good news is that Pastor Chuck claims to “be at peace” with it – which if you’re like me, might find hard to believe.  But he did indeed claim this when Pastor Greg Laurie interviewed him in what was billed as an intimate talk with Chuck Smith.  Here’s part of that conversation:

Laurie: “‘Do you ever have doubts, Chuck? Just about why is this happening [or] this isn’t right?’”

Smith: “No, no way.”

Laurie: “Do you ever have fears?”

Smith: “No fears.”

Laurie: “You don’t ever have things that frighten you?”

Smith: “No.”

Laurie: “Boo! That didn’t work? The thing is, knowing Chuck, I believe what he’s saying because he lives what he says.”

I have to admit that I don’t believe Chuck Smith when he says that he has no fears or doubts.  I don’t see that as realistic by any means – but – I don’t know the man either.  Greg Laurie does know him and he says clearly that he believes Chuck Smith.

So, here’s my question to you today – since this is “matters of faith Monday” – Do you think it’s possible to be diagnosed with stage three cancer, and not worry, have doubts or have absolutely no fear, like Chuck Smith is claiming?

My answer is a resounding NO, because it if were me, I’d have tons of questions, concerns and fear.  I saw my mother battle stage four cancer for over a year and have gone through it.  I also experienced God’s presence in a way that I would not have known, if I had not gone through that experience.  I questioned God and felt fear because a cancer diagnosis generally makes people feel out of control.

Pastor Chuck Smith has been a follower of Christ for decades and has been an excellent expositor of the word of God.  I suppose it may be possible that because of his walk with the Lord, he has no fear or doubt.  I don’t believe it for a second.

If I had to guess, I’d say that Pastor Chuck, or “Papa Chuck” as he’s lovingly referred to by his church, is trying to make sure his church doesn’t worry about him.  But is that right, at the cost of saying he has no doubt or fear?

I’m a skeptic by nature and I just think saying something like not having any doubt or fears when you’re going through stage three lung cancer is not possible.

And I wonder, if it really is the one hundred percent truth that Chuck Smith doesn’t have any fear, doubt or any normal feelings most people would have who have been diagnosed with cancer, will others in his church feel the pressure to say they don’t have any fear, doubt or are not frightened either, when they are diagnosed with cancer.  I’m curious about that.

Share with me your thoughts about this.