I was supposed to go meet with the producer who optioned my book for film last weekend, but I had a plot twist of my own. If you haven’t heard yet, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Needless to say, this came as a bit of a shock, and you can read about it here if you want, but the truth is that we all have to go through a “hero’s journey” in life. That’s what makes fiction ring true.
We know life isn’t as simple as letting us face one problem at a time, so authors give stories plot layers.
We know people around us are on journeys of their own, so authors create subplots.
And I believe all this knowledge about how to be a good author can also teach me something about what I’m about to go through and why I can trust God as the Author of Life.
When I plot a book, I start out with life as normal. The character has a goal of wanting to go from Point A to Point B on a straight path, and they could…if nothing got in their way. But how boring would that be? Say Luke Skywalker’s aunt and uncle agreed to let him join the rebellion at the beginning of Star Wars. He would’ve just been another pilot.
Something has to happen in a story to veer the main character off an easy path or there’s no story. It’s called “a call to action” or the “inciting incident.” This is when the hero has to make a decision to keep pursuing their dream despite obstacles.
Author Bill Myers describes the writer’s job as putting a wall in the character’s way. The character climbs over the wall and thinks he’s back on the easy path toward his goal. Then the author puts an even bigger wall in front of him. The character’s progress looks kinda like this:
In real life, when we climb over one wall, we think God is answering our prayer. Then things get even worse, and we’re like, “What the heck, God?”
But good authors know the secret to God’s storytelling success. We know each of these obstacles are going to lead to a moment when all hope seems lost. That’s called the “climax” or the “black moment.” Here’s the secret: The darker the black moment, the more powerful the resolution.
Authors must craft these black moments. Not because we’re mean, but because we want our characters to grow. The nice thing is that we provide them with everything they need to survive.
I plot each one of my stories in a way that ONLY the hero I create can possibly overcome their black moment. I give them the exact gift they need for victory. Luke Skywalker has the Force. Lightning McQueen has his speed. In You’ve Got Mail, Meg Ryan’s character had a gift of writing that she never pursued until pushed out of her comfort zone, and it was actually her writing that brought her together with Tom Hanks.
I believe God does this for us too. We are each given the exact gifts we need to overcome dark moments in our lives. The trick is that we often don’t realize we have this gift because our greatest strength can also be our greatest weakness when used immaturely. The gift God has given us could very well be what got us into trouble in the first place, so we might be scared of using it. For example…
Think of Joseph in the Bible. He had the gift of dreams. Bragging about his dreams got him thrown into a pit and sold as a slave. But it was also his ability to understand dreams that made him, and only him, able to save his life, his family, and an entire nation.
I’ve been through a journey before. About ten years ago my first husband left me. It was very hard and very painful, but as I look back, I can see that I traveled this exact same road. There was even one specific moment where everything was going wrong THEN IT GOT WORSE. I shook my fist at heaven and said, “I’m ONTO you! You are giving me a black moment so one day I will have a powerful story of overcoming.”
And here I go again. Five months of chemotherapy start next Wednesday.
I don’t share this so you can feel sorry for me. Honestly, some of you are probably facing worse journeys than breast cancer right now.
Rather, I tell you this so you too can look at your journey with the perspective of an author and the confidence of knowing you are prepared to face your black moment.
My gift of writing helps me overcome, but the Bible tells us ALL to share our stories. “Tell your story—what the master did, how he had mercy on you” (Mark 5:18). I believe this is especially important during Thanksgiving. Let’s focus on the beauty of how God provided in the midst of trial.
So, here’s what I have for you. Share a snippet of your story with me below and be entered to win an audio download of my debut novel, Finding Love in Sun Valley. (Which incidentally talks about a character with cancer.)
Let’s give thanks by celebrating each other’s victories.
What’s your story of overcoming?
Author’s Note: For anyone interested in learning more about writing the hero’s journey, you can watch my video class here.
Renate says
Hi Angela! As a retired American Literature teacher, I used the diagram above to discuss plot development in the stories and novels we read. To my students I often wish them the best when they start a new chapter in their lives – graduating from college, career moves, marriage or starting a family. Reading your blog, I received a new appreciation for the conflicts – the black moments. This line hit home, “You are giving me a black moment so one day I will have a powerful story of overcoming.” My German parents had many black moments – WW2, my mom losing her East Prussian family farm, the Berlin Airlift, family being separated by the dividing of Berlin and then the Berlin Wall, immigrating to America, mom survived breast cancer and cancer of the uterus, my dad had heart disease – 2 by pass surgeries, angioplasty, and 7 stents plus prostate cancer and skin cancer. The blackest moment in my life was a devastating house fire in 1997, which took everything we had after 24 years of marriage; but gave me empathy for disaster victims. We did not loose our community. Sons still went to school and we had our jobs. Family members had their homes were we could stay. So yes my family not only has stories of the black moments – but some very powerful ones of how with God’s help and provision we overcame. Thanks for such a powerful post. May God’s healing help you overcome your breast cancer. Best wishes and Happy Thanksgiving. God is good!
Lois Lanham says
Hi Angela, I have had several of those black moments – really, they were dark seasons. The first was a bout of depression and anxiety that sidelined my nursing career for weeks, and led to months of counseling. God used that time to grow and change me. The next was the death of my husband, who was killed instantly in an accident. We were both 46, and had 3 teenagers. Most people who knew me well likely thought that I would completely fall apart. Once again, God lead me through every step of that painful journey, and grew me in ways that would not otherwise have happened. And in March 2018, I was also diagnosed with breast cancer. And God. My journey with breast cancer was relatively easy, compared to what many people go through. I had a mastectomy with reconstruction, and did not need chemo or radiation. So far, I have not had any complications. But hearing “cancer” is never easy. It rocks your world. What I have learned through these seasons of life is that God uses them to refine me, to change me, to force my independent self to admit that I am not in control, that I must depend on Him. He has brought so much beauty into my life, including a wonderful husband, three stepdaughters, in-law children, and nine grandchildren. So many blessings. May God be very present to you and your family as you walk this journey. 💗
Nicki Walker says
Four years ago, I was dealing with the end of my 27 year marriage (my choice) and another significant decline in my dad’s condition (He has Alzheimer’s.). I asked God to please let me just deal with one at a time and He did. My dad stabilized as I finished my marriage. I got to breathe for a few months and then my dad worsened and went into the nursing home. I spent the next 13 months grieving as I cleaned out his house and shop. God sent a buyer for the house and people for most of the stuff. I since have had an upheaval at work that I’ve mostly made it though as well as two hospital stays with my dad. The nursing home we chose to put him in is two hours from me where my sister lives. It was an adjustment not seeing him every day so those two hospital stays were actually blessings as I got to send quite a bit of time with him that I would not have otherwise. He went home last week and, while that is hard, it is also a blessing because he is once again whole. If we look hard enough, we can find the blessing in everything that happens.
Valerie Comer says
Praying for you, Angela! I love that you’re coming to this with strength and a learning spirit. And humor ALWAYS helps.
Priscila says
As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I’m really sad and sorry to hear you have to go through chemo. I have been looking forward to Big Sky becoming a movie and reading new novels from you. That feel so selfish. So when I prayed for you this morning I also prayed for your family—kids mostly , your husband is already Strong ;). You seem to be dealing very well with adversity. Such resilience is rare and I hope I can have such a positive outlook of life when harder moments hit my family.
Nicole Santana says
Thank you so much for sharing about your cancer diagnosis. I’m so sorry this is happening to you, but I’m so encouraged by your hope and positivity. My best friend has been battling a very rare and scary form of cancer for almost three years now. Praying daily and staying positive has been her best medicine. I will be praying for you as you go through this process.
Liwen Ho says
Such a powerful post. Thank you for sharing, Angela. Will be praying for you. Hugs!
Jackie Smith says
I am so sorry this is happening to you, Angela. I will add you to my daily prayer list.
God will be with you, and I pray you feel that. Happy Thanksgiving.
Angela Ruth Strong says
Wow! We all have our own stories, huh? Thank you for sharing your stories and your strength.
Angela Ruth Strong says
You’re a survivor in more ways than one! Thank you for sharing your stories and the beauty from your pain. God is faithful.
Angela Ruth Strong says
So true. One of my favorite verses says that giving thank offerings prepares the way for the salvation of God. Sorry for your loss and grateful for this season of giving thanks with each other. Hugs.
Angela Ruth Strong says
Thank you, Valerie. And thank God for humor!!!
Trudy says
I’m praying for you! One of my darkest moments came when I broke my right wrist. That doesn’t sound so bad, until I also say after surgery I woke up to an external fixator, which was “attached” for 8 weeks. Exactly 5 months to the day later, I was having my 2nd surgery, where we had to re-break and plate the bone. I was in a cast for about 4 to 6 weeks up to above my elbow. Then, I went to a smaller cast. I’m a natural righty, now I’m ambidextrous! There are things that I won’t be able to do again, and there are things that “should” be easy, that aren’t. My last surgery was in 2012, number 5.
Angela Ruth Strong says
Thank you so much, Priscila. Especially for those prayers for my kids. <3
As for Mr. Strong, yesterday he met up with his big biker buddy (also a fire captain at a fire station), and he said they cried for me over their beer. I couldn't help laughing at the image of those two manly men having a sob fest in public. Part of my husband's strength is his soft heart. <3 I am blessed.
(Psst…though I didn't meet up with the producer last weekend, I got some good news from her yesterday. I'll keep you posted.)
Angela Ruth Strong says
So sorry to hear about your friend. My brother-in-law was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma in his lungs and was pretty much given a death sentence, but then he went to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix and is now in remission. There are new advancements all the time, and I hope she keeps searching until she finds the answer she needs. I’ll lift her up in prayer too. And thank you for your prayers.
Angela Ruth Strong says
Thank you, Liwen. I hope the perspective helps others as much as it helps me. Hugs back!
Angela Ruth Strong says
Thank you, Jackie. I can feel your prayers. Happy Thanksgiving!
Angela Ruth Strong says
What a nightmare! I think a lot of health issues people face are even worse than cancer, but they don’t know how long they are going to last in the beginning, so they might not seem as scary at first. I’m just taking this one day at a time. Thank you for sharing, and for your example of being an overcomer. Hugs.
Beth K. Vogt says
Angela: We are new friends, and I’m thankful for the moments we shared after the OCW Fall conference in October — and that I met your mom, too. I’m praying for you. A snippet of my story … as a writer, I weave bits of my real life story into every story I write. It makes the novels more real when I allow my real life to be woven into my imaginary characters’ lives.
Claudia Mehlhaff says
In 1996 I found out that my husband, a member of the pastoral team of a large church, had been cheating on me for 20 of our 22 years of marriage. Shock, rage, fear, and sadness rushed into me. My three teenage daughters were devastated. The Body of Christ reached out to us in practical ways (flowers, meals, lawn care, groceries, financial help) and drew us into the love of Jesus and put us on the path to healing. Later, I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes, then breast cancer. God’s people held me up through my cancer treatments and I have been cancer free for nearly 16 years. He will carry you, as well, through the ministry of His people. Be assured of my prayers.
Merrillee Whren says
Prayers for you, Angela. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Priscila says
Oh, I have no doubt a strong man has to have a soft side, or it would be just superficial strength. I guess you’re the first one to say good things come from black moments (as per black moment #1), not to say they are not hard to live through. Your sense of humor and trust in God is indeed a testimony. I’ve seen families go through cancer in many different ways, and I have to say, it’s to the families that my heart goes to.
(Good news on the movie then. yay)
Julie Arduini says
Where I am today in faith and as an active author is because of the Hosea 2:14 experience I went through in 2003-5. We nearly lost our daughter to doctor error. My dad did pass away. My husband’s job changed from salary with benefits to commission, no benefits, all while we were caring for our sick baby. “Out of nowhere” he received a call from 300 miles away. “Somehow” they got his resume and offered him a job after a phone interview.
We ended up taking that job, and I remember sitting in a new city, new state, new home just shell-shocked.
But every tear, every piece of my heart that shattered at that time grew me.
I am praying that the chemo has zero side effects, but complete healing for you. (((hugs)))
Lisa says
This is such an inspiring blog. Thank you for reminding us all we can be uplifted no matter our situation….
When we are in our trial is when we feel the most love from our God if we just look for it.
I love everything and everyone that has had a part in sharing even if I don’t know you!
Your stories touch a piece in all of us. And Angela, yours touches me in places that takes my heart down to my toes and back up. I’ve not had a personal experience with cancer but it’s come close in our family.
And it is definitely a trial that God sees, and He helps those around you to sustain you and be better versions of themselves. So let those around you lift you and serve you.
Because you are so loved.
By us and Him.
❤
Valerie says
Thank you for sharing your journey, Angela, and for the encouragement and faithfulness you demonstrate even in the midst of your own trials. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Marylin Furumasu says
My Dear Sweet Friend Angela,
This was a beautiful post and my heart continues to pray for you as you go through this time. You bring such joy to others, I know this will be another sounding board for you as you minister to many others through this journey. I pray God will comfort you and surround you with His peace and presence. LOVE YA!
Mary Huckabay says
My niece had breast cancer several years ago. She went back to work in two weeks. Last year her mom, my sister, had breast cancer. The day she found out, my niece found that hers had returned in the bones of her spine. she is doing well and back to work. My sister has had radiation and now having chemo. They both give God the Glory and Praise for his goodness. My niece is in her 50s and my sister is 76. My mom’s twin sister had bc in her early 50s and died a few days after her 90th birthday. With the Lord’s help, modern medicine has come a long way. Prayers daily for you and your family.
Anne Payne says
You’re a testament to God’s faithfulness and healing mercy, Angela. Thank you for your transparency and sharing your ongoing story. I know there are many who are encouraged by your words, especially me. Praying for you!
“Black moments”. I’ve had a few of them but the darkest would be holding my first born as she released her final breath when she was 28. We’d climbed some steep ‘hills’ over the years and I can definitely say each one prepared us for the final summit Not the end result of the climb but the climb itself. I’m still (and will be until I exhale my final breath) sifting through the pain and loss and seriously hoping nothing bigger than that black moment is on my horizon….ever.
Sara Beth says
I am so sorry to hear this news. But I absolutely love this attitude you’ve shown and this post is amazing. I cannot even fathom the scariness. My mom went through this twice but being on the outside of it isn’t the same.
I will keep you in my prayers and thank you for sharing such an encouraging message! Saving this. God bless
Angela Ruth Strong says
I’m so glad I got to meet you, Beth! Yes, our stories make our books richer. There’s too much good stuff in this world for me to write anything other than contemporary fiction. <3
Angela Ruth Strong says
Thank you for sharing your journey. So sorry you had to go through that, and it’s nice to know we’re not alone. Also I do believe divorce is worse than cancer. So glad God carries us through.
Angela Ruth Strong says
Thank you, Merrillee! I’m feeling those prayers!
Angela Ruth Strong says
Thank you for your prayers. What a lot of transition you had to face all at once. So glad you didn’t lose your baby. I’m sure you grew a ton through that time!
Angela Ruth Strong says
Thank you so much, Lisa. I am touched by all the love and support. It makes me want to be a better person and give back more.
Angela Ruth Strong says
Thank you, Valerie. I do believe there’s always something to be grateful for, and I’m grateful for all this love and support.
Angela Ruth Strong says
Thank you, friend. I never wanted a ministry in this area, but I do want to share hope, and that’s really the whole campaign for breast cancer. There is always hope.
Angela Ruth Strong says
Yes. Someone said, “If you’re going to get cancer, this is the cancer to get.” It’s crazy how common it is. Did your family ever get checked for the gene?
Angela Ruth Strong says
I’ve heard there is nothing more emotionally painful than losing a child. I’m so sorry you had to go through that. And she was so blessed to have you there for her. Hugs. And thank you for sharing. <3
Angela Ruth Strong says
Thank you for your prayers. I feel like this journey might be even harder on those around me than it is on me. My husband is taking on a lot of my responsibilities and has had a stomach ache of worry in his gut since we found out. Last night he did the shopping and the cleaning and ordered an air purifier for our house to help prevent infection when my white blood cell count drops. Then he had to get up early for work today. Please pray for him too. <3