Breast cancer runs in my family like a mighty torrent of flood water, carving its destruction into the lives of every generation. Some have died, others have survived, but all have in some way been affected. I stared the beast in the face about twelve years ago when my doctor confirmed a lump with smaller “bb’s” extending towards my armpit.
If I had to deal with a lump, the timing could not have been better. I had been ardently studying what Scripture has to say about healing –it’s a lot– and I believed with every fiber of my being that God not only CAN heal, but He is very much in the business of doing so.
A second mammogram and sonogram had been scheduled and it was time to engage in spiritual warfare against this aggressive foe. I confided in only three friends because I felt it crucial that we all be in total agreement as to my healing. Others would certainly have prayed for me, but I could not risk any of those “if it be God’s will” prayers. I already knew what God’s will was.
When one of the disciples asked of Jesus, “Teach us to pray…” He answered thus:
Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.
I believe there are some issues for which it is appropriate to pray “if it be God’s will….” but I knew that to overcome a giant like breast cancer, it was imperative to stand on promise, not possibility.That may sound impious to you, but I had four small children and my life was at stake; I had no other choice but to take God at His word that He hears our prayers and answers them.
Before I proceed in recounting just how God answered, let me explain that I am in no way denying that many of God’s children face very grave sicknesses and diseases, some of which even result in death. I cannot speak to those situations, nor do I understand them. It is evident that sometimes our prayers for healing are not answered. I do believe, though, that we shouldn’t automatically ‘blame’ God nor blame ourselves. There are a great number of things that can interfere with our prayers being answered, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we have done anything wrong. Therefore, there is no condemnation to any of us if we battle with sickness or disease.
Now, let’s get back to the doctor. My three friends and I had been praying that by the time I arrived for my second mammo that the lump would be gone. It wasn’t. The technician asked me to point to where the lump was so I clarified (by faith) “It was here,” indicating the spot.
“Yes, I can certainly feel that,” she said and marked it for the sonogram, which would follow later. As she moved to the other side of the room to prepare a few things I whispered to the Lord, “This is unacceptable; I believed this lump would be gone before the second mammogram.” Again, you might think this impious or even sacrilegious, but I was speaking to my Heavenly Father. He made promises to His children in Scripture and I was holding Him to them.
After she finished the mammogram, the technician led me to another room for the sonogram. I spoke to the Lord again. “You know what I hate about these tests, you always have to wait several days before anyone tells you anything; It would be nice if you would work it out so I could hear something today.”
“I’ll be right back,” said a confused technician. Apparently this test was not going the way they had anticipated. Moments later, a stern-looking doctor accompanied the technician to the room. He repeated the question, “Where is the lump?” I repeated, “It was here.”
In no time at all the doctor told the technician, “That’s enough, I’ve seen all I need to.” He looked at me as though I had committed a crime and stated, more like a question, “There’s Nothing There?”
“Praise the Lord!” I exclaimed with glee. “I knew He would come through!”
The doctor’s expression turned sour. “You attribute this to him?” he asked defiantly. “You bet I do,” I insisted confidently. “God answers prayers and I believed that he would remove this lump from my body before my second mamogram.”
Obviously this man did not believe in prayer; his posture and flippant tone gave him away. “Well I don’t know what to tell you. I looked at the mammogram and there is nothing on it; nothing shows on your sonogram either. Just go home and keep up with your yearly screenings, but there is nothing there!” With that he shot me one more disgusted look and huffed out of the room.
I hope you are encouraged by this true testimony of God’s faithfulness. There are many similar testimonies that I could share, and will do so later, but someone needed to hear this account today. That someone might even be me. Despite all the miraculous healings that God has blessed me with thorough the years, I gradually quit standing on the promises of healing like I used to.
In fact, I was laying on the couch this afternoon in tears, feeling defeated at a particular ailment, when the Lord reminded me of the many times He healed me, though the doctors could not, including the above healing. He also brought to my remembrance the words of this Christian chorus:
Whose report will you believe? We will believe the report of the Lord!
My body may temporarily be in pain but my heart is encouraged anew. After all, I know from experience that the Lord’s word overrules every opposing report. And His word promises that He answers the prayers of His children and cares for all our needs.
This brings me to my personal motto: God said it! I believe it! That settles it!
What more can I say?
Rays of Light 