When life changes in an instant, where do you turn?

This week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I'm honored to welcome Gail Schaar, who shares the incredible story of walking through a breast cancer diagnosis while choosing to anchor herself—not in fear, not in statistics, and not even in her diagnosis—but in the unchanging truth of God's Word.

After being diagnosed with two types of breast cancer in April 2025, Gail found herself facing the whirlwind that so many people experience after hearing the words, "You have cancer." So many thoughts, opinions and other people's experiences were thrown in her direction and fear tried to take over.

But God had a different plan.

Out of this journey came her devotional, I Am Not a Cancer Patient, a book that challenges believers to examine what Scripture actually says about healing, identity, and the power of God's promises.

Whether you're walking through cancer, another illness, grief, infertility, divorce, or any difficult season, this conversation is a reminder that our identity is never found in our circumstances—it is found in Christ alone.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Gail's unexpected breast cancer diagnosis in 2025.
• Why your diagnosis should never become your identity.
• The difference between acknowledging sickness and accepting it as who you are.
• Finding peace instead of fear during difficult medical decisions.
• Why God's Word became Gail's greatest source of strength.
• The importance of speaking Scripture over your life.
• Biblical healing and why Gail encourages believers to search the Scriptures for themselves.
• How God called her to write I Am Not a Cancer Patient.
• The story behind TenTwentyThreePress and the significance of Hebrews 10:23.
• Encouragement for anyone walking through a difficult diagnosis or life challenge.

One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation is this:

The enemy wants us to build our identity around our diagnosis, but God calls us to build our identity around His promises.

No matter what you're facing today, this episode is an encouragement to hold tightly to God's Word, trust His faithfulness, and remember that your circumstances never have the final say.

Bio:

Gail Schaar is a warrior, speaker, and creator who believes in the power of God’s Word. As a cancer survivor, she knows exactly how the enemy tries to steal your identity through lies and deception. She wrote her debut devotional, I Am Not a Cancer Patient, to share her real-life victory and spark a fire in your faith.

Gail’s message is clear: the enemy is a liar—do not accept his attacks. You have the authority to stand up, fight, and defeat him. And when God is on your side, you cannot lose.

Gail and her husband, Zach, are the founders of TenTwentyThree Press, a media and publishing company that creates social media content and digital products. They live in Northeast Ohio, with their two daughters, where they are active members of Faith Family Church.

Anchor Verses:

Mark 11: 23-24

Hebrews 10:23

Connect with Gail:

Website: gailschaar.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gailandzachshow

I Am Not a Cancer Patient is available on Amazon and the link is on Gail's website.

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