Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Bentley.
Hi Donna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My Journey: Walking Through Cancer With God and My Family
In September 2017, my life changed when I was diagnosed with Stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer.
I will never forget one of the first thoughts that crossed my mind: “I won’t live long enough to see my granddaughter drive a car.”
In that moment, I wasn’t thinking about material possessions or the things I had accomplished. I was thinking about my family, my children, my grandchildren, and all the precious moments I might not be here to experience.
I was a mother, a grandmother, and a woman of faith. I knew God, I loved God, and I believed His Word. But now I was facing something that required me to trust Him with my very life.
My cancer journey included chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and many difficult days. Some of my chemotherapy treatments lasted four hours. There were moments of uncertainty, moments when I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but through it all, there was one thing I continued to say:
“God is good and He is faithful.”
Those words were more than something I said. They were what I believed, even when my circumstances were difficult. I didn’t have all the answers, and I didn’t know exactly how everything would turn out, but I knew the God I was trusting.
One of the greatest blessings during that season was my family.
The most important thing they did for me was simply show up. Whether it was a doctor’s appointment, a four-hour chemotherapy treatment, radiation, or surgery, someone was always there.
They didn’t have to have all the answers. They didn’t have to know exactly what to say. Their presence was enough.
They showed up, they stayed, and they walked alongside me through one of the most difficult seasons of my life.
That experience reminded me that love is not always expressed through grand gestures. Sometimes love is simply sitting beside someone, holding their hand, or making sure they never have to face a difficult moment alone.
Through it all, my faith remained my foundation. I learned that trusting God doesn’t mean we will never face frightening circumstances. It means believing in His goodness and faithfulness even when we cannot see what lies ahead.
I often say that God doesn’t always take us around the storm. Sometimes He walks us right through it.
Today, nine years later, I am grateful to say that I am a breast cancer survivor!
And one of the most beautiful blessings of my journey is that not only did I live to see my granddaughter drive a car, I actually got to help teach her how to drive!
Something I once feared I would never live to see became a precious memory that I was blessed to be part of.
When I think about that, all I can say is, “Let me tell you how good God is!”
Cancer was a chapter in my life, but it was never the author of my story. God was writing my story long before cancer, and He is still writing it today.
Today, I am a mother, a grandmother, a minister, and co-founder of Women On The Wall, a women’s prayer ministry. I believe that every day God allows me to wake up is another opportunity to live with purpose, love my family, encourage someone else, and share His goodness.
I share my story because I want other women facing a cancer diagnosis to know that they are not alone. I want to encourage women to take care of their health, get their recommended screenings, and appreciate the people who stand beside them through life’s difficult seasons.
My story is not just about cancer. It is about faith, family, love, and the goodness of God.
Nine years later, my testimony remains the same: God is good and He is faithful.
— Minister Donna Bentley
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of the greatest struggles during my cancer journey were the uncertainty of what tomorrow would bring, the physical and emotional toll of chemotherapy and radiation, and the reality of facing a life-threatening diagnosis. There were days when my body was tired, my strength was limited, and the journey felt overwhelming. One of the hardest parts was wondering whether I would live to experience important moments with my family. But even in those difficult moments, I held on to what I knew about God. I didn’t always understand what I was going through, but I continued to declare, “God is good and He is faithful.” My faith sustained me, and the unwavering presence of my family reminded me that I was not walking through this journey alone.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
One of the things I am most proud of is answering God’s call on my life and becoming a minister of the Gospel. I am also grateful to be a co-founder of Women On The Wall, a prayer ministry where women come together to grow in their faith, study God’s Word, and encourage one another through prayer. Another exciting milestone is my upcoming book, From Wilderness to Worship: Discovering God’s Faithfulness Through the Life of Elijah, which will be published soon. My greatest joy is not simply in these accomplishments, but in knowing that God can use my life, my experiences, and my testimony to encourage others and point them toward Him. It’s all for His glory!
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice to anyone beginning the journey of discovering who they are and what they have been called to do is to first seek God and develop a personal relationship with Him. Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s or allow fear to keep you from moving forward. Be patient with yourself, trust God’s timing, and understand that every season of life has a purpose. You don’t have to have everything figured out before taking the first step. Stay faithful, remain teachable, and be willing to step outside your comfort zone. Remember, God doesn’t call us because we have it all together. He equips us as we walk in obedience to Him.
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