The Powerful Advice a Stranger Gave Hoda Kotb

A stranger gave Hoda Kotb some powerful and moving advice. The former host of the Today Show was on a plane when she received some insightful words of wisdom from someone. Watch the short but powerful clip to hear what a stranger told Hoda.

Life is a series of unexpected events. We cannot and will not be able to predict what will happen from one moment to the next. Throughout life, there are instances and causes for celebration. Sadly, sometimes life will hurt and result in an immense amount of pain and suffering.

No one enjoys those painful and heartbreaking occurrences. But what if those times of terrible suffering and heartache are not just about and for us? What if they are for a greater purpose? The Bible says that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him.  

That was the message that a stranger on a plane shared with Hoda. This person said that the difficulty and pain she was experiencing at the time were not just for and about her but could be used to help others. In a clip posted on social media, Hoda talked about her interaction with this stranger and the words of wisdom he shared with her.

She mentions that at the time, she was battling breast cancer and had just undergone a procedure. She was on a plane, sitting next to an individual who struck up a conversation with her. Eventually, after a lot of probing questions from the man, she shared that she had breast cancer and had undergone a mastectomy. She asked him not to just think of her as someone who had breast cancer.

What he said next shocked her.

“He said, ‘Breast cancer is part of you. Just like going to college and getting married and working at NBC,’” Hoda recalled. “He goes, ‘I’m going to give you some advice.’ “He said, ‘Don’t hog your journey. It’s not just for you. You can take your stuff and put it deep in your pockets and go to your grave, or you can help somebody. You decide.’”

Philippians 2:4 “Not looking everyone to his private good, but keeping in mind the things of others.”