Trusting God in the Unknown: Stories of Faith & TriumphShembull

From Tragedy to Triumph: Victory Over Cancer and COVID
By Dr. Jacquelyn Hadnot

To give you some background of my story, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Dr. Jacquelyn Hadnot, and I am a retired accountant. After retiring, my mission shifted to full-time ministry, overseeing an outreach program to the homeless and families in need. I also launched a bath and body products business.

In 2019 I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Metastatic Breast and Lymph Node Cancer. Little did I know that cancer would soon become the least of my concerns. 

In 2020 when COVID-19 hit my business was considered non-essential. As a result, our foot traffic came to a halt, we had to close our store and let staff go. Since I was severely immune-compromised, I had to create products alone or at home and ship them online. With the weak state of my body, I could not work many hours, but I was able to press through on days even when I wanted to give up. 

The difficulties seemed endless. During the toughest part of the pandemic, I hit another setback with my radiation treatments. I was severely burned due to a miscalculation in my radiation and received 3rd-degree burns. There were days when the pain was so severe that all I could do was cry and pray for relief. Still, I pressed on, holding on to God. I was not going to let radiation burns stop the plan God has for my life. God promised to heal me, and I held on to His promise. Cancer could not stop me, and I was not going to allow COVID-19 to shut me down either - mentally, physically or emotionally, or spiritually. I was confident that my God is greater than both put together. 

Today, I am over a year free of Cancer! 

Cancer tried to break my spirit, but it failed. COVID-19 tried to destroy my determination, but it failed. The slow economy tried to discourage me to give up, but it too failed. 

Cancer left a few broken pieces in my life, but God has mended them all.  I am a firm believer that no weapon formed will stop us and keep us from fulfilling the destiny that has been set for us before the foundation of the world. With God on our side, we are strong and mighty, and we will pull down every stronghold that tries to come against us and keep us from our destiny.

Be encouraged that as God pulled me through a most difficult season, He can do the same for you.

Reflection Questions:

1. In what ways is God trying to develop a resilient attitude in me through my experiences? 

2. When I feel weak, what is one promise that I can hold on to?