Ravi Zacharias, a well-known Christian author and apologist, recently made it public that he is about to undergo chemo after discovering that he has a rare form of cancer. The announcement came amidst the national panic over the COVID-19 pandemic, but Zacharias will still be able to make the move from Atlanta to Houston so he can receive treatment at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Zacharias said the Lord “did a miracle” by allowing him to undergo treatment. According to Faithwire, Zacharias said in an email, “Our doctors in Atlanta were concerned I couldn’t start treatment until fully healing from the back surgery. However, since then we have been able to consult with doctors at the renowned M.D. Anderson [Cancer Center] in Houston, TX. Truly God did a miracle in getting me here, literally a day or two before they had to close to treating any patients outside of Texas.”
Zacharias shared his diagnosis last month after undergoing surgery to repair his back. He said that he faced excruciating pain for weeks after the surgery and assumed that it was part of the recovery from surgery. However, he learned a few weeks later that a biopsy taken by doctors during the surgery indicated the presence of a malignant tumor on his sacrum. It is a rare form of cancer called Sarcoma.
He also said that he is hopeful about his prognosis moving forward. He said, “My doctor, a Sarcoma specialist, feels confident in starting a regimen of chemotherapy and we have begun that. Since this treatment is coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, I will remain here in Houston for the next few months until I finish the chemotherapy treatment. I am so grateful that both Margie and Naomi can be here with me. God has given me the best doctor, and I look forward to gradually seeing this disease mend.”
As difficult as he finds not traveling and speaking, Zacharias knows that he has to take an extended break from public speaking engagements. He expressed his thankfulness that he has so many gifted team members who are able to step in to speak and minister in his place for the time being.
Zacharias shared a word about his faith in God and how he hopes God will work in his life through his treatment. He said, “The Bible assures us that at all times God is with us. He is our comforter; He is our healer. He is our physician; He is our provider. He knows better than we do. While some nights have been painful, my heart has been at rest that this is all God’s plan. I want to get better; I want to be well. I want to be in his will and honoring to Him.”
Scott Slayton writes at “One Degree to Another.”
Photo courtesy: Ravi Zacharias Twitter
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