Today I’d like to share with you a powerful testimony given by an amazing woman in my church. I pray that it blesses you as much as she blessed us that Sunday!
A Word
August 13th, 2023
by Kate Johnson
Many months ago, I heard God speaking to me, pushing me to begin writing my testimony. However, my testimony carries a lot of suffering, and since I am not a complainer and like to wear the strong hat, I had a hard time drafting my story, because what I want is for people to see me for what I am. And that is an Overcomer.
I am 26 now, but at the age of 24, I was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. Within days of that diagnosis, I had a major eight-hour surgery. I went into the hospital on Good Friday and came home Easter Sunday. I then started chemo shortly after that. And a year ago last June, the cancer metastasized outside the colon; that is when doctors gave me the 3-year expiration date.
Of course, I believe AGAINST all of that in Jesus’ Name, but I give that background to encourage you, that someone like me, who is consistently pumped full of harmful disgusting chemotherapy drugs can stand before you boldly, on a Sunday morning, not looking sickly, and give all the credit to God.
Throughout this journey I have felt the presence of God every step of the way. While I like to present myself as incredibly strong, I weep. Oh boy do I weep, but God weeps with me. There was a specific conversation that I had with the Lord. I was crying out to him, pleading for victory in this process, and God came to me, embraced me, comforted me, and wept too. He told me that this wasn’t something that He wants for me but that it was something that I would have to endure.
He didn’t want me to suffer, and I knew in that moment that it pains Him to see me suffering. However, He told me that not only was this journey to glorify His kingdom but that He would also provide my every need during this process. We have many medical expenses and bills outside of that, while living off only my husband’s income, but the Lord is faithful because we haven’t gone hungry or had our cars repossessed.
I am apprehensive to share much because I never want to come across as self-boasting, but that also lines up with my earthy confidence. The same kind of confidence that has kept me in the trenches and dark for years because I was afraid of the power that God has appointed upon my life. I was questioning myself: Who me? What? Lord, please check the last four of the social because I’m not capable of the things You have called me to.
And I’m not capable when I live off that earthly confidence, but when I finally get ahold of that heavenly host confidence and receive that Jesus died on the cross and washes me with His blood—that same blood is pleaded over me and allows me to not only endure but to persevere!
We live to share these experiences that glorify God, and part of that is sharing those testimonies that impower and encourage others. Don’t be afraid to die to yourself and let God and Jesus Christ live through you. I’m not afraid of dying because I’ve been dead for 24 years! I was breathing but not alive; but greater is He that is now in me, than he that’s in the world.
God is calling us to rise up! Stop allowing yourself to be a victim. Quit with the parties of pity. Stop denying yourself the opportunity that God has set fourth for you! You have to believe that God is going to change your finances, you have to believe that God is going to change your situation, you have to believe that not only is God capable but that he will heal you, in Jesus’ Name! Don’t be afraid to rise up because we are not victims of the enemy but vessels of the will, work, and Word of the almighty God.
The Bible says that no weapon formed against you shall prosper; we have to realize that God has given us the authority to take power over our situations!
Anything that comes upon me, I am immediately seeking God and beginning to work with Him and against the enemy through the power of belief and prayer. God has a calling upon our lives and has given us the authority to be confident in that! Amen?
I want to challenge you to find purpose within your long suffering. When you are a die-hard, die-to-yourself Christian, it will no longer be “I’m walking on sunshine, Oh”—no, there will be a constant attack upon your life because of your obedience to the Lord. But when you find the passion, purpose, and plan within your suffering and actually begin to thank God for what you’ve endured, you will now be seeking the ultimate reward—the heavenly reward.
The Art of Choosing True Life 