After Sunday, some have asked about Piper's article on cancer. Back in February 2006, John Piper wrote a meditation entitled, <a href="http://desiringgod.org/library/fresh_words/2006

/021506.html” target=”_blank”>Don't Waste Your Cancer, on the eve of his surgery for prostate cancer. (Thankfully, the surgery went well and he appears to have fully recovered.)

A month later, David Powlinson was diagnosed with prostate cancer and Desiring God added his meditations below what Piper wrote. (Likewise, his was also caught early and the prognosis appears good.)

Below is an outline of his points to entice you to read through the whole thing. Each is expanded on by Piper and then by Powlinson. Overall, the article is incredibly helpful for anyone who has a terminal, recurring or 'serious' illness. My favorite points are #2 and #3.

1. You will waste your cancer if you do not believe it is designed for you by God.
2. You will waste your cancer if you believe it is a curse and not a gift.
3. You will waste your cancer if you seek comfort from your odds rather than from God.
4. You will waste your cancer if you refuse to think about death.
5. You will waste your cancer if you think that “beating” cancer means staying alive rather than cherishing Christ.
6. You will waste your cancer if you spend too much time reading about cancer and not enough time reading about God. [Powlinson points out that the same holds true for 'talking']
   
7. You will waste your cancer if you let it drive you into solitude instead of deepen your relationships with manifest affection.
8. You will waste your cancer if you grieve as those who have no hope.
9. You will waste your cancer if you treat sin as casually as before.
10. You will waste your cancer if you fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ.