We are so honored to have Cassia Hosey on the blog today to tell her incredible testimony. If you are going through a trial, let these words encourage and uplift you.
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He is faithful, even still He is faithful.
“He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” Psalm 91:4
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what we can do for you,” the doctor spoke to me as he exited my hospital room. I still remember the night my life took a major turn. I was lying in the emergency room hospital all night before Sunday service where I would be singing on the praise team. No sleep all night, writhing in pain and my mind plagued with the fear of the “unknown” was becoming a new way of life. Even though I was strong in my walk with God, the illnesses became taxing on my spirit. Thoughts of, “will I ever really live again? Will I die?”, and the fear felt like it was suffocating my faith. Only if you have been in this type of frame of mind will you understand the battle I was involved in.
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…" Proverbs 23:7
My health was overcoming my daily life so much until everyday I felt like I was just surviving.
Growing up in church my whole life, many times my faith had been tested (I suffered severe postpartum symptoms a few years earlier for a couple of years), but this was more than just a “sickness” or a “mental battle.” My body was declining at such a fast rate. I could not function normally, and it was so incredibly alarming. I would go to church trying to act like nothing was wrong all the while fighting this battle.
"A merry heart doeth good like medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Proverbs 17:22
You see, in June 2020 my little family came down with the dreaded “COVID virus” that had plagued the world. It was the sickness that I had feared, and from which we had sheltered in our homes. We were doing everything we thought was necessary to stay safe while continuing with our secular and church work life. There were so many unknowns at that point, but I do remember trying to trust God because I fit in that category of “high risk.” The funny thing is when we all came down with it, I was the only one that didn’t test positive. During that time I was caring for my family, there were only a few bad nights, we recovered and did our best to get back to “normal life”; but I never felt the same after that. Looking back, if I would’ve paid attention and taken care of my body more and rested, it may have not gotten as bad as it did. After ignoring my “problems” for about a month, and pushing myself, I started feeling worse. I had no clue what was going on with my body. I would wake up crying in the middle of the night because of severe jolting pain in my left side, and then I started losing feeling in in that same side. My veins in the temple on the left side of my head, my mouth, all the way down to my feet started swelling and were so painful. I had major swelling in my lymph nodes, and I lived in constant pain. I started losing weight drastically, and my muscles started deteriorating on the left side, even in my face.
“Man’s goings are of the LORD: how can a man then understand his own way?” Proverbs 20:24
Fast forward to the emergency hospital visits and the peak of my health decline. My husband was also dealing with other major health issues, so my mom came to live with us because I could no longer care for my children on my own. After many tests, hospital visits and stays, we made the decision, along with our Bishop and our families, to move across the country to be closer to my family, so they could help care for us. I couldn’t have done it without my family.
“Every purpose is established by counsel…” Proverbs 20:18
My mother, father, and siblings were such a strength to us and so many of my family and friends.
“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friends by hearty counsel.” Proverbs 27:9
It was a very humbling time for us. My faith was struggling. I remember begging God to spare my life so I could fulfill the purpose He had for me. The meaning of one’s purpose was something God revealed to me in my struggle with PPD- another story for another time. Many sent gifts, texts, words of encouragement, love, great prayers, and concern. We will never forget those kind acts.
”Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17
We need people in our lives, and the church, to face trials head on!
At that time I didn’t realize that the greatest lesson I would learn through all of this, would help me to fulfill the purpose of God. Through all of this I learned to lean closer on Him. A long time ago I learned that we have the ability to control our thoughts and what we allow to enter in our minds and spirits. It was vitally important to keep my mind strong and my spirit right while my body was struggling. In the lowest moments I remember thanking Him for His faithfulness and quoting one of my favorite scriptures, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD” (Psalm 118:17). Sometimes in the weak moments just telling Him he was faithful, gave me strength. I knew the Lord had healed me of PPD, He would heal me again.
When the doctors threw out diagnoses of tumors, nerve damage, strokes, and so many other things, I turned to God’s Word and time spent with Him. I want to mention that advocating for your health nowadays is a difficult task when they always want to throw a “pill” at you to mask the symptoms, rather than identifying the root cause. I won’t dive into that topic right now, but we learned so much about persevering through to find the best care for your family and how your body is a temple that we have to take care of from the inside out. What we ingest, how we think, and how we allow ourselves to react can affect our health, especially when your body is putting out red flags. Healing is process that requires diligence. When the doctors didn’t know what to do, I decided to be diligent in everything I could do for myself naturally, including what I was feeding my mind and heart. With all of that I started becoming enamored with the book of Proverbs. I have always loved the book of Psalms (so encouraging), but I felt many times specifically like God gave me this opportunity to slow down and dive into Proverbs. Many times I have felt very burdened to learn more about what pleases God in our interactions.
“The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.” Proverbs 18:4
Many of us think of the Proverbs 31 woman, but did you know that each chapter has scriptures that apply to us ladies, and these can help us in our daily living? Even though I did not experience an immediate miracle in this season of illness, Jesus did heal me gradually…faithfully, one day at a time. I learned that quality time with my husband and children in the sunshine, taking care of our vessels (our bodies-whether it be diet changes, perspective changes, lifestyle changes), and daily walking with Jesus, will bring you through.
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10
We all know someone in our life who lives with afflictions. We also know some that live with these afflictions who are still accomplishing His purpose. I think the turning point in my health was when my husband and myself made up our minds that this is what we wanted to do in our lives.
“Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs 16:3
No matter what we had to live with, we would do our best to accomplish His will. Through our weaknesses we would always live our life like an open book, testifying as a witness to others that they can continue on through their trial.
“He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.” Proverbs 21:21
Has it been tough? Yes, but HE IS FAITHFUL.
“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. Proverbs 24:10
Is it easy? No, but HE IS FAITHFUL.
"A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps." Proverbs 16:9
We have made a commitment to Jesus and our family that we will never allow our family to be drained because that is not His will. After Jesus, that is, living your life for Him, your family will always be your first ministry; but we will diligently seek Him and follow Him. Aligning ourselves Biblically lifts the load of life. God doesn’t do everything for us just as we want Him to, but He is our help in the time of trouble.
“Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Proverbs 30:5
Looking back, I am so thankful for this time of suffering. I can walk right again, I can live life again, and we are doing our best to fulfill His purpose for our lives. We are so thankful everyday for the Lord carrying us through and for continuing to do so. Around this time so many of our family and friends were affected. It was a low time for so many of us. I even had people around me questioning the legitimacy of this sickness that was affecting so many. This is not to give glory to this sickness, and I do think there was a spiritual aspect to it that caused great discouragement in so many families. Many are still struggling with things from it and may for a great time. Jesus is the Great Physician. He is our healer. He will show His glory in your life. Keep holding on to faith.
“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30
I daily pray now that the Lord will allow me to have great faith, not just in my personal life, but for others as well. Whatever trial you are walking through, Jesus can be the mender of your spirit and your broken heart. He has proven His faithfulness time and time again. He will walk with you on your lonely road. It’s not too late to take control of your spiraling health with God's help. Take heart. He is faithful. HE IS HERE. There is a song that I have listened to in many difficult nights that has carried me and it goes like this:
“He’s in your storm,
He’s in your rain,
He’s in the middle of your pain,
He’s in your night,
Casting out fear,
Even in the chaos,
He is here, He is here, He is here." (Written & composed by Joe Zirpoli & Taylor Fish)
I hope that by sharing my testimony, you may feel encouraged. Be encouraged; He is with you. You will make it through. He is always faithful.
“Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt thee. Oh give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 118: 28-29
Cassia loves traveling and spending time with her little family. She has a passion for small business with big purpose and inspiring people of all ages. She is a wife, stay-at-home mom, and currently serves as a church music director in Texas. You can follow Cassia on Instagram @taleofavonlea.