Desperately Seeking Jesus II
Devotional: “You Don’t Have to Look Like What You’re Going Through”
There are seasons in life when the weight of sickness, pain, and hardship tries to press itself into our identity. Illness attempts to write its name across our faces. Suffering tries to shape how we walk, how we dress, how we show up in the world. But the Spirit of the Lord whispers something deeper, something truer:
“You are Mine.”
I am a 62‑year‑old woman living with blood cancer, taking oral chemotherapy daily for six years. I Developed and now walk with a spine condition that causes spasms, numbness, and pain. I use a walker to steady my steps. And yet, every morning, I rise and wrap myself in the beauty of my African dress — long flowing garments, vibrant colors, and a carefully tied head wrap that crowns my day.
Not because I am pretending I am not sick.
Not because I am hiding my struggle.
But because I refuse to let illness define me.
I dress in dignity because the God who carries me is dignified.
I dress in beauty because the God who sustains me is beautiful.
I dress in strength because the God who strengthens me is strong.
People will say how they love my outfits and sometimes ask me if I am Muslim because of my headwraps and African attire I wear. I simply smile and say:
“No, I am a Christian woman — a Baptist — wrapped in my heritage and covered by the grace of Jesus Christ.”
My clothing is not a disguise.
It is a declaration.
A declaration that even in sickness, the joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
A declaration that even in pain, His beauty rests upon me (Psalm 90:17).
A declaration that even when my body is weak, my spirit is renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16).
Every outfit I put on is a testimony:
You do not have to look like what you’re going through.
God’s glory can shine through chemo.
God’s peace can shine through pain.
God’s strength can shine through weakness.
God’s beauty can shine through brokenness.
I am walking this journey until the Lord calls me home, but I am walking it clothed in purpose, clothed in culture, clothed in confidence, and clothed in Christ.
To anyone battling illness, grief, or hardship — hear me:
You are not your diagnosis.
You are not your pain.
You are not your struggle.
You are God’s beloved.
And His love has a way of dressing you from the inside out.
Stand tall.
Wrap yourself in dignity.
Walk in beauty.
Live in faith.
And let the world see the strength of Jesus shining through you.
Because you do not have to look like what you’re going through.
Some times you have to look back and see how far GOD has brought you. Each day I awake this song resounds in my spirit sung by Mahalia Jackson
Amen!!!
HOW I GOT OVER