(DCNF)—Despite being diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, former Republican Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse has not given up on living, telling the host of a New York Times podcast Thursday that he intends to face the unknown awaiting him with hope and clarity.
The 54-year-old married father of three announced in a Dec. 23, 2025, post to X that he received a “death sentence”: his metastasized affliction — diagnosed in 64,000 Americans annually — has a five-year relative survival rate of approximately 3.2%, according to a Johns Hopkins Medicine article.
“Death is a wicked thief, and the bastard pursues us all,” he wrote. “Still, I’ve got less time than I’d prefer. This is hard for someone wired to work and build, but harder still as a husband and a dad.”
Having learned of his condition just weeks before Christmas, Sasse, a Reformed Lutheran–Calvinist, framed his announcement in terms of making peace with his life’s turn. He acknowledged the seriousness of his situation during “a time to orient our hearts toward the hope of what’s to come.”
“To be clear, optimism is great, and it’s absolutely necessary, but it’s insufficient,” he continued. “It’s not the kinda thing that holds up when you tell your daughters you’re not going to walk them down the aisle, nor telling your mom and pops they’re gonna bury their son. A well-lived life demands more reality — stiffer stuff.”
Sasse, his face bloodied and peeling without healing — reportedly side effects of his medication — nevertheless interspersed his frank reflection when speaking with Ross Douthat, the conservative host of the “Interesting Times” podcast, with humor and openness.
“I did not decide to die in public. I obviously ended up with a calling to die. In mid-December I got a three- to four-month life expectancy, and I’m at Day 99 or something since then, and I’m doing a heck of a lot better than I was doing at Christmas,” he began. “But even at three to four months left to live, you have to redeem the time. There’s only so many bits of unsolicited advice I can give my children,” he added, referencing how the former lawmaker has been “doing a lot of talking,” such as hosting his “Not Dead Yet” podcast and speaking with a number of journalists and interviewers about his situation. Before his diagnosis, Sasse had been training for triathlons to stay fit before prolonged intense back pain prompted him to seek medical attention. Full-body scans soon determined he had “five forms of cancer: lymphoma, vascular, lung cancer, bad liver cancer, and pancreatic, where it originated.”
“‘Here’s a hard fact: Ben Sasse’s torso is chock-full of tumors,’” Sasse recalled his doctor breaking the news to him. “I was like, ‘OK, you came in with the real stuff.’ So, I have pancreatic cancer — Stage 4, already metastasized. They told me right away on Day 1, ‘This is not operable, you’re way post-surgical.’”
Sasse had been living in Florida — “Nebraska’s emotional home” — but resides in Austin, Texas to participate in his targeted clinical trial in Houston twice weekly.
Sasse takes daraxonrasib, a “nasty” drug by Revolution Medicines, orally, rather than as an injection. “It causes crazy stuff like my body can’t grow skin, and so I bleed all out of a whole bunch of parts of me that shouldn’t be bleeding,” he said.
“Yeah, you look terrible,” Douthat observed.
“Thank you,” he responded before describing how his hospice doctor prepared him to face his symptoms. “‘When you’re dying of an abdominal disease, you’ve got an algorithm that’s managing four variables: You have tumor-driven pain, you have cancer- and treatment-driven nausea, you’re managing a diarrhea-to-constipation continuum, and you’ve got energy and fatigue.’”
Sasse also reflected on his Christian faith, saying he was not angry at God for apparently not answering prayers for healing. “I don’t know what the weaving together of the tapestry of full redemption should look like,” he said, “but I know going through the period of suffering that [what] I’m going through is a benefit because it is a winnowing.” He went on to express gratitude for the blessings of his life and the value of his waning days on earth.
“This suffering is not salvific, but it’s sanctifying, and I’m grateful for it,” Sasse noted. He also described his cancer as a “stake against my delusional self-idolatry” in temptations of his soul to sinfully exhibit pride. He then went on to identify the meaningful hope of his life:
I was incredibly blessed to be quickly at peace. I kept hearing the Pauline phrase, “To live is Christ, to die is gain.”
Death is terrible. We should never sugarcoat it. It is not how things are meant to be. But it is great that death can be called the final enemy. It’s an enemy, but it’s a final enemy, and there will then be no more tears.
I believe in the Resurrection, and I believe in a restoration of this world. So, I did not feel great fear about my death. I didn’t want the pain I was going through. I didn’t want to be a pansy ass in the final moments.
When asked if he was ready to die, Sasse expressed that he did not feel so, but that he had no choice but to embrace the ultimate end Jesus Christ offers in Scripture.
“He says, ‘You can’t keep the children from me.’ And we’re told that we get to approach the Almighty, we get to approach the divine and call him, ‘Daddy,’ ‘Abba,’ ‘Father?’ That’s pretty glorious. And I know that that’s what I need,” Sasse concluded, prompting a visibly moved Douthat to draw the interview to a close.
After previously working in the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services, Sasse was elected Nebraska’s junior senator in November 2014, joining Republican Sen. Deb Fischer. While representing the Cornhusker State in Congress, Sasse advocated for overhauling the Affordable Care Act. He supported and pushed for the disclosure of foreign influence in lobbying and introduced the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. At times clashing with populist factions of the GOP, he earned a career-high 87% lifetime score (with the average Senate Republican scoring 78%) from the conservative Heritage Action.
“Something on the order of 60 times, my state party convened or county parties in Nebraska convened to condemn me for not being Trumpy or whatever,” he reflected.
While he voted to acquit President Donald Trump during the 2019-2020 Democrat-led impeachment effort over the president’s dealings with Ukraine, Sasse joined six other Republican senators in voting to convict him over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol Riot. Sasse also notably criticized Trump over his apparent character, as well as rhetoric about white supremacists, election integrity, fiscal actions, treatment of women, and foreign policy.
Sasse resigned from Congress Jan. 8, 2023 to become the president of the University of Florida; he previously served as the president of Midland Lutheran College from December 2010 to December 2014. Citing his wife’s health, Sasse resigned from that position effective July 31, 2024.
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Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
