As I reflect back on the day where our first piece of “not so good news” was delivered to us, I am reminded just how far God has brought myself and my family on our journey and truly how good God is and continues to be to us.
Some may speak of our journey as one of healing and restoration, however, I see it more as one of growth and intimacy with Jesus. Jesus is always with us and His desire for us in the trials and triumphs is that we would not only draw close to Him, but that we would expect to feel His presence and His power at work in our lives!
In June 2017, my husband Matt was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The calmness and peace that Matt delivered the news to me with was almost unbelievable and could only have come from Jesus.
We prayed for him continuously and believed God for a miracle. We praised Him and cried out to Him. My husband wasn’t healed miraculously from the cancer, but God worked through our doctors. He had half of his thyroid removed and didn’t require any further treatment. Praise God!
In March 2018, we were expecting our 2nd child. The pregnancy was tracking along perfectly until we received news at our 20 week scan that our little boy may have down syndrome and that I would need to undergo further testing to find out more.
We believe that children are a gift from God and we decided that regardless of our son’s “medical discoveries” that we would praise Him for the miracle of a child!
To be completely honest and vulnerable, I was terrified. I felt initial sadness and loss of what might be a “conventional” childhood for my boy. I was afraid of how people would perceive me and my family and I was overwhelmed with insecurity and fear. Some days, I felt as though I couldn’t breathe.
It’s okay to experience these emotions, but it’s not God’s plan for us to stay there.
My husband spoke the name Josiah over our boy. Josiah means “The Lord has healed”. We spoke healing, life and victory over him. We began to declare the victory of Jesus over our little boy.
After an advanced test at our hospital we received news that Josiah was well and did not have down syndrome. We praised God for answered prayer!
Then, in April 2018, after experiencing debilitating pain in my leg whilst still pregnant, I was told that it was due to a tumour growing in my upper thigh. Unfortunately, my first response was not faith in this moment. It was fear and sadness. I reached out to friends and family and prayed that Jesus would help hold my head up and give me strength.
I received this scripture from one of my pastors during this time…
“Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” – 2 Chronicles 20:15-17
Although I felt afraid and unsure of what the future held, I also knew that God was in this with me. That He is victorious and good! I began to write down what God was speaking to me about. I couldn’t move much from the pain of the tumour but I was able to sing, write and declare the victory of Jesus. And that’s where the song “The Victor” started.
I received miraculous news in August 2018 that the tumour in my leg had dissipated without explanation. What felt like the scariest and most out of control 18 months of my life, I now reflect on being the season that I heard from God the most. It is the closest and most aware I have been of His presence and I am so thankful and grateful for his whispered words to me in my weakness.
Jesus is loving, patient, kind, generous and close. He is always available and always willing to speak victory over our lives. We don’t go through trials alone and we don’t face challenges without Jesus being right beside us.
I pray that wherever you are in your walk today, whether you’re standing on the mountain top or in the deepest valley, that God would be real to you and that you would feel his presence and believe His victory over you.
Fix your eyes on hope and stand and watch as your SAVIOR is the VICTOR!
Jasmine Higgins
Life UNLTD
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Life UNLTD’s new single “The Victor (Live)” is available now. The single was released as a part of their latest EP with 4 songs from their debut live album, coming September 2020. Life UNLTD seeks to write songs that reflect the heartbeat of the Church, and exalt the name of Jesus and His great love. You can listen to their music through all major music platforms.