Fear No Evil: A Personal Struggle with Cancer (Hodder Christian Paperbacks)

I have owned a copy of Fear No Evil for years, then gave it to someone who was dealing with cancer--to comfort her. I re-read it to be sure it was as good as I remembered. It was. Soon thereafter I found that I have pancreatic cancer that had metastesized to both lobes of my liver. I was already prepared spiritually for what I was to face.

I appreciate David Watson's transparency and insights in this account of his battle with cancer and with really learning to trust in God. David Watson was an active and reknowned Christian preacher and minister who contracted cancer in the prime of his life. This memoir lets readers into his private thoughts, theology and interactions during his last year of life. He had hoped and hoped that God would heal him. Thousands of Christians prayed for his healing. Many came and visited him and he attended services during which hands were laid on him in hopes of his healing. Despite these many prayers, David died from cancer. For me, the big question after reading this book is "What was God doing here?" The secondary question that I think lingers is "What does this mean for Christian ministry and praying for the sick?" David offers valuable insights in this book, some of which is devoted to biblical theology. Thousands of Christians who earnestly prayed for David. John and Carol Wimber who flew from California twice to pray for him, the several bishops who prayed with him, his team, John Wimber's church, etc. etc. all prayed according to the promises of Scripture that Watson cites in his book. They laid hands on him, they cursed the cancer, they commanded it to leave, they fasted, they shared communion, they spoke words of knowledge, they had faith and they persevered. These are all the actions of faith that I think the Bible suggests and commands. But God did not grant their request that Watson would be healed and free from cancer. There are more than a few miracles in this book. One cannot honestly read this book and think that God is not present and did not act in Watson's life. He was transformed spiritually through the experience of this event. The love of the Body of Christ shown to this man and his family is overwhelming. It is that love and nothing else that Jesus said would define his followers. Not withstanding a few exceptions, the church proved itself followers of Jesus in its response to Watson. By Watson's testimony, we see that God was present and working in his life. Watson never seemed seriously to doubt God's presence. But those who prayed for him asked specifically for his healing that he might live a long life. And this was withheld by God. It seems that Watson examined himself from every angle to discern anything within or without that might be blocking his healing. He received words of correction and even rebuke. He addressed what he discovered. And his cancer remained and grew. When we begin at the end of Watson's book, it tells a different story. Instead of a drive to be healed, Watson shares one wish, "there is nothing that I want more than to go to heaven. I know how good it is." His last words recorded in his book are "Let's go home." (Epilogue) Something transformational occurred in Watson's life. This is what God does: he transforms. Sometimes that transformation may include physical heali

David Watson's honest reactions as he fights cancer are not just for those who are dealing with illness. They are for all of us who struggle with fear and faith. As I read this book, I remembered another David's difficult times recorded in the Book of Psalms. That David always ended an emotional cry by looking into the face of God and trusting. In the depths of crisis David Watson finds a love relationship with God which does not deny a difficult reality, but which carries him through. This book has greatly encouraged me.

David Watson candidly shares his journey from "life to life" in a comforting and encouraging manner. With the Lord as his travelling companion, Watson reveals the most important pursuit given to humanity - to seek God's face.