We all face moments when life feels a little (or a lot) overwhelming. Today, I’d like to share Ruth’s journey with you, not to impress, but to encourage. Her story is one of ordinary faith meeting extraordinary challenges, and I hope it reminds you that you’re not alone in your own struggles.

When the first storm hit

Back in March 2013, Ruth started feeling dizzy and had persistent headaches. That led to discovering a lump in her neck. After tests and two surgeries, she received the news no one wants to hear: follicular thyroid cancer. Like many of us would be, she was scared. But she held onto this quiet promise: “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you.” With that small but sturdy anchor, she went through surgery and radioactive iodine treatment. By December 2013, the cancer was gone.

But healing isn’t always a straight line

After cancer, Ruth’s body threw her another curveball, Dermatographia, a condition that causes painful itching and welts. Then in 2016, pelvic endometriosis brought unbearable pain and heavy bleeding. Doctors talked about a hysterectomy, but Ruth chose to wait, leaning on medication and prayer. Through it all, she kept studying. She even graduated with honours. If that’s not a quiet “you can do this,” I don’t know what is.

A brain diagnosis no one expects

In late 2018, severe headaches and weakness returned. This time, doctors found Moyamoyo disease, a rare brain condition where arteries get blocked, raising the risk of stroke. Ruth had two major brain bypass surgeries (August 2019 and June 2021). Each one was risky. She held onto another quiet truth: “I am the Lord who heals you.” Recovery was slow, sometimes painfully slow, but step by step, it happened.

Where she is now

In November 2021, Ruth finally had the hysterectomy and oophorectomy she’d put off for years. Today, she lives with osteoporosis and some side effects, but her spirit? Still standing. She’s the first to say she’s not a superhero, just someone who kept putting one foot in front of the other, with faith as her compass.

Why share this?

Because maybe you’re going through something hard right now. Maybe it’s your health, your family, your work, or your heart. Ruth’s story isn’t about perfect healing or easy answers. It’s about ordinary courage, small prayers, and the kind of hope that shows up even when things don’t go perfectly.  

If her journey encourages you even a little, then it was worth sharing. And if you’re in a tough season right now,please know: you’re not forgotten, and you’re stronger than you think.  

Let’s keep going, together.