March 23, 2018
For you this week, a guest post from Carol Graham who has a story that’s sure to inspire. Carol found that when the world says something is impossible, when doctors give you a hopeless diagnosis, and the future looks dim…we have a choice. The choice to believe God.
Carol’s real-life story will fill you with hope as it showcases God’s power as we make that choice to believe Him.
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I was born with health issues that were often debilitating and caused me to wonder if my life would be cut short by disease. I watched my mother suffer my entire life and before my eighteenth birthday, I said goodbye to her for the last time.
And adding to the heartache of living without her, I had my own trial with physical pain. I lived in such intense pain that my entire body would often become contorted. I saw several specialists but there were no answers.
Then I got the phone call from a gynecologist’s office informing me he had a diagnosis.
The specialist said, “Carol, basically you have two choices and I think it is obvious which one you will choose!”
There is one word in any language that is difficult to hear. That word is—cancer. I was in my twenties, and knew I was going to be a mother one day. How could this be happening?
I assumed the doctor meant the choices would be two types of treatment. But I was wrong.
“Your choices are hysterectomy or death,” he said. “You are a very sick young woman.”
But even physically sick, a strength I did not know I had welled up inside of me and I said “I do not accept those choices. There has to be another way! I will find that alternative.”
But rather than understanding, rage overcame the doctor. I had challenged his intelligence. He rose from behind his desk, leaned toward me and pointed his finger in my face. He was so angry he was shooting spit when he said, “Well then, lady, go home, suffer and…die!”
I stood up, spun on my heel and started out of the room. Then I paused, turned, and said in a loud staccato voice, enunciating each syllable clearly. “I…will…. walk…in here…pregnant…one day.”
I couldn’t believe the words that came out of nowhere. But in my heart, I knew I was going to succeed. Nothing was going to stop me. I almost screamed out loud “ENOUGH, not this time.” Hysterectomy – I don’t think so. Death? Not my time yet.
God reminded me of the promise He had given me: “Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord” (Luke 1:45 KJV)
No matter how severe the pain got, I praised Him for the promise of healing and a baby. My focus stayed on my healing and His promise. I put that verse on post-it notes all around the house. Every time I saw it, I read it out loud. God cannot lie. God knew the end of my story. All I had to do was to trust Him at His Word and He would bring it to pass.
Our baby girl was born fourteen years later. And six years ago, I became a grandma. As a Health Coach, I have helped countless people realize optimum health. Often, there were cases when medical professionals said there is no more hope.
But, because of God’s Word, there is always hope. There are answers and God will give them to us.
My journey to healing began with faith. With belief in Gods’ promise. A determination to reach victory. And perseverance that never waned.
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Carol’s story has a shining lesson. We either focus on the problem or on God’s promise. We believe another humans’ assertion or believe in God’s accurate assessment of our future. We either sink into our emotions, or lift our faith in what God says, put our hope in Him and him alone and believe in the triumph God promised.
How about you, are you focusing on the problem or on God’s promises?
Read more about Carol Graham’s courageous life in her book, of “Battered Hope.”
Let’s pray.
Father, I ask that those who read this story will be filled with the security You and You alone can provide. Thank you that You are the one who has the last word. Your love surrounds us when bad news come, when making decisions and when waiting for your answer. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Janet
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Thank you, Janet and Carol, for this encouraging word. The Word of God is the final authority in every situation in life. We have only to believe in order to receive. Blessings to both of you!
Dear Maryann,
Yes, dear friend, I learned from you how to believe, truly believe. I appreciate your note so much!
You are a great blessings, dear Janet! 🙂
Thank you, MaryAnn. It is always a blessing to receive a comment as well. It is the trial of our faith that is more precious than gold to our Heavenly Father.
Thank you for sharing my story, Janet. I trust it will be an encouragement to those who feel like giving up. Never Ever Give Up Hope!
Dear Carol, your story does spark hope and trust. I praise the Lord for your willingness to open your heart and share His goodness with many.
Thank you for allowing me to share this one.
Carol, what an amazing testimony. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Karen. I am glad this testimony was an inspiration
Thank you for your story, Carol. And to you Janet, for sharing it on your blog. Our fiery trials over the last 4 1/2 years of first my husband’s stroke and my breast cancer less than a year later has only strengthened and refined our faith. Instead of just talking about it, we know God provides, and gives strength and peace and wisdom. Oh, that precious refining fire! 🙂
Dear Penelope, like you, I still have scars from being in that painful refining fire. But they do remind me of God’s faithfulness even during the deepest pain. Praying for you and your husband, dear friend!
Penelope, you have to read Carol’s book, Battered Hope”…it’s a page turner, with suspense, unbelievable miracles…and it’s her true, real-life story! Janet
Thank you Penelope. When people ask me how I have survived the many traumas in my life yet did not turn bitter or hold grudges, the answer is easy. It is not where I have been, it is where I am going that I look to — we will always have trials in our lives but our testimony is how we overcame them and used them to help others.