When the Waves Feel Too Big: A Note from Someone Who Understands

Dear Friend,

I want to start this note by saying, I see you. Not in the physical sense, but I see the weight you're carrying. I see the questions that haunt you late at night, the exhaustion that no amount of sleep seems to fix, and the heartbreak of facing something that feels far bigger than you. My wife, Tracy, and I have been living in the storm of brain cancer, and if you’re reading this, I imagine you are too—or you’re walking closely alongside someone who is.

Let me share something that has anchored me when the waves have felt insurmountable:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Paul, the writer of these words, was no stranger to suffering. He spoke of a "thorn in the flesh," a constant trial he pleaded with God to remove. But instead of removing it, God gave Paul something even greater—His grace.

I wish I could say that I’ve mastered living in this truth, but the reality is I’m learning it daily. Just recently, we experienced what felt like an avalanche of stress: a bathroom flood, a car accident, and a health insurance fiasco all in the same week. I found myself at a breaking point where my body and spirit just said, No. No more reacting, no more scrambling to fix everything, no more striving to be strong on my own.

It was in that moment of surrender that I started to see how this verse truly applies. My weakness wasn’t the end of the story—it was the beginning of God’s power showing up. His grace carried me through—not by fixing everything immediately, but by helping me find joy even in the chaos. Joy in the small moments, like laughing with my kids despite the mess around us. Joy in the support of a community I could call upon for help. 

Here are a few ways I’m learning to live out this truth and seek joy in hardship:

1. Lean Into Grace Daily

Grace doesn’t mean the problems disappear. It means that God’s strength meets us in the middle of them. For me, this has looked like pausing each morning to pray, not for the storm to pass, but for the strength to face it. Write down one way you see His grace today—it could be as simple as making it through another hour or feeling a moment of peace amidst the storm.

2. Let Go of What You Can’t Control

That health insurance fiasco? It nearly broke me. But I had to learn (again) to let go of what I couldn’t control. For so many of us in this journey, control feels like the last thing we’re holding onto. But freedom comes in releasing it. Focus on what you can do today, and trust God with the rest.

3. Choose Connection Over Isolation

During the car accident aftermath, I didn’t want to reach out for help. I felt embarrassed, overwhelmed, and too tired to explain everything. But when I finally opened up to my dudes, they reminded me that I’m not alone in this. Whether it’s through a support group, a coach, or a trusted friend, don’t let the hardships isolate you. Share the load—it’s lighter when you do.

4. Keep Looking for the Bigger Story

This verse reminds me that God’s strength is perfect in my weakness, not in spite of it. The hardships we face are writing a bigger story, one where His grace and power shine through. The bathroom flood, the car accident, the insurance mess—they’ve all been opportunities for me to see how God’s grace shows up in ways I never expected.

Friend, I want you to know that you’re not alone. Whether it’s cancer, caregiving, or just the heavy weight of life, God’s grace is sufficient for you, just as it has been for me. It’s not about being strong enough—it’s about trusting the One who is.

If you need someone to talk to, please reach out. If you’re too tired to even do that, that’s okay too. Just know that I’m praying for you to feel God’s grace in a tangible way today. His power is perfect in your weakness, and there is joy waiting to be found—even here.

With care and understanding,
Jason Binder
Co-Founder, Aware Coaching