Conquering Cancer

 

Rebecca’s Trial

 

“She’s with Jesus now, Becca, Jesus came to fetch her” words of comfort rolled of her mother’s tongue.  Innocent words, meant to comfort, yet at that precise moment, a spirit of bitterness entered Rebecca’s soul.  “I love her and I need her! Why would Jesus take her away from me?  God, why did you take her away from me?” The unanswered question hung in the air like an impenetrable curtain between Rebecca and God.  She was only 8 years old at the time, but the consequences of her anger and bitterness toward God on that day, were sure to catch up with her some time later.

 

At 36, Rebecca was a well known gospel singer, whose praise and worship songs ushered thousands of people into the presence of God.  She had a picture perfect life, married to a handsome and caring husband and blessed with two talented children.  As a family, they lived an easy life, free of any financial burdens.  That was, until Rebecca was diagnosed with cancer of her intestines.

 

Slowly but surely their picture perfect life started falling apart.  The shock of her illness and the poor prognosis brought her singing career to an abrupt halt. According to the specialists, she had three months to live at the most.  The intense radiation treatments and the effects thereof left Rebecca drained and bedridden for days on end.  Her condition became public news and all across the country, churches started praying and fasting for her recovery.  She was well loved, but her once, sunshine-personality, faded as the cancer took its toll.

 

It was a day, just like any other, at the office. I work in an office and as usual I would talk to God when there was nobody around.  This day however, unlike any other day, God answered me right back and very clearly I hear Him say: “I want you to go and pray for Rebecca today”.  This did not sound like a request, more like a command. With shame I remembered that this was the second time God had to ask me the same thing.  A month ago God told me to go and pray for Rebecca, but because she lived far away from me, I, in turn, requested God to please use somebody that lived closer to Rebecca to pray for her. Besides, I reasoned, I really didn’t think I would get leave from work at the time.

 

This time I called my niece, who was married to a relative of Rebecca.  “Tanya, do you know if Rebecca will have any objections if I pray for her?” I asked.  “I’ll call and let you know.  It’s strange that you should ask today, because Rebecca has just arrived here to see a specialists and to greet the family” she answered.  I was surprised; surely this was not a coincidence that she arrived in town today.  I was convinced that God had arranged this.  I considered myself a “baby” in spiritual warfare at the time and required at least three confirmations that God was indeed sending me on a mission.  As convincing as it was, I continued in prayer – asking God to reveal to me what the key to Rebecca’s illness was and what we would have to address in order for her to be healed.

 

 

Later that morning, as I was enjoying a quick cup of coffee with a friend at work, she walked into my office.  She was elderly with a stern look on her face.  At first glance I didn’t notice anything special but it was when she started speaking that I knew, she was an angel of God and an answer to a prayer.  “Terminal illness” she said, then a few moments, later “Timothy” while her steely eyes seemed to expose my whole life to her glance.

 

I could hardly believe my ears.  My jaw dropped open and my already big eyes stretched far beyond their capacity as I looked at the woman in front of me.  I must confess, I must have been a site to behold.  I was totally unable to respond as the thoughts flashed through my mind: “This is an angel! God sent an angel! God just answered my prayer for guidance.  God is extremely serious about Rebecca.”  It felt as if I sat there for a long time, but it must have been only a few seconds.  Without a further word the angel woman turned around and walked out of my office.

 

My friend and I looked at each other.  “Did you hear that?  Did you see that? I asked in an incredulous tone. “Do you realize what just happened? I followed up with growing excitement.  With amazement I realized that God just confirmed my first assignment and that He was serious about it.   I hardly had time to gather my thoughts when my niece called and said that Rebecca agreed to see us later that day.

 

I could clearly see God’s hand in what was happening and deep inside of me I KNEW that I was going to see God at work that day.  I was excited yet felt overwhelmed at the task ahead of me.  Silently I prayed to God to allow a friend of mine to accompany me on this mission.  I called Sally, who respectfully refused, saying that God placed her on a Sabbath’s rest and that she would only minister to those whom God told her to minister to at the time.  It must have been at that moment that God reminded her that she needed to fetch her car, which went in for repairs, in the very town where I had to pray for Rebecca.  It was a deal made in heaven -  I would take her to collect her car and she would minister to Rebecca with me.  Praise the Lord, she agreed, and I was more convinced than ever that we were going to witness a miracle.

 

I was shocked when I saw Rebecca.  She was deadly pale – her whole body was severely swollen, all her hair had fallen out and she had a constant cough.  All her friends and family had gathered to say their farewells – she had two weeks left at the most.  The place was packed and the only place we could minister to her was on the porch, outside, in the chilly evening air.

 

It was there that God reminded her of her anger and bitterness towards Him when He allowed her Granny’s life to end.  She repented of these sins and asked God’s forgiveness.  She did not know that the spirit of bitterness often manifests the fruit of cancer in the body.  Her choice to harbor bitterness caused her illness many years later and as always, Satan and his demons, tries to steal, kill and destroy.  This spirit of terminally illness was cast out, as was many others, who came in through her ignorance of Satan and his tactics.  That night the finger of God was on Rebecca and although she was tired to death, we believed God for her healing.

 

Two weeks later my niece called and tearfully informed me that Rebecca had gone for test and were found totally clean of any cancer.  It was a miracle! Six months later we attended a special thanksgiving service in which Rebecca sang to God’s glory for the miracle He had performed in her life!