There are moments in life that divide time into before and after. For me, that moment came as a small, insignificant spot on my skin—what began as a blemish the size of a R2 coin would become an eight-year battle for my health, my peace, and my faith.
My prayer is that as you read my story, you would know that what He did for me, He is absolutely willing to do for you. Sickness and disease are not from God—Jesus has already paid for our healing in full.
The Battle Begins
That insignificant-looking spot that appeared in 2015 rapidly began to spread. Within just two years, the discomfort became constant, the lesions were raw and painful. The itch was so intense that I felt like ripping my skin off. Every single day.
By 2022, the dermatologist’s report noted that at least 85% of my skin was affected by this disease, and septicaemia had become a very real concern. I had been for so many tests—the standard blood tests, the biopsies, even the stick “100-known-skin-irritantson-your-back” kind of tests. No clear answers emerged.
Something was clearly wrong, but no one could pinpoint what it was. Doctors speculated autoimmune issues, dermatitis herpetiformis—tossing around different diagnoses and treatments like confetti. I tried everything possible, but nothing provided relief.
Looking back now, I often wonder how I got through that season. I wasn’t able to sleep much, awakened by intense itching most nights—my skin bleeding. In the middle of battling this disease I was raising two small children, being a wife, running a busy private practice, and very involved in church life and community. I was tired all of the time; it was definitely only the grace of God that pulled me through.
Holding on to Hope
During this season I cried out for healing and was prayed for by many. It seemed at times like our prayers may never be answered. When discouragement would sneak in, I would read and listen to testimonies of healings and miracles. I knew from the Bible that Jesus healed the sick, but these stories reminded me that God is still faithful and willing to heal today.
It’s so easy to downgrade our theology about who God is because of our circumstances. Just because I hadn’t received healing yet, didn’t change the fact that God is the Healer. For those living with chronic sickness and pain, there is a very real tension—the space between the truth of God’s Word around healing and who God is, and the everyday reality of pain and discomfort.
In the darkest moments, the enemy would whisper, “If God is a good Father, then why would He allow you to suffer, when He could instantly heal you?” Either a) He is not a good Father (which we know is not true), or b) He isn’t able to heal me (again, not true).
For me, I couldn’t accept that God was not a good Father. I knew Him. I had experienced His incredible love. He comforted me during those years, and I knew Him deeply as the One who met me in my darkest places.
Pursuing Truth and Encounter
I also knew that God was able—I had seen Him heal people with my own eyes. I knew that I could not compromise on truth, unless I upgraded my theology and thinking I was not going to get through this. The desperation pushed me into a pursuit of God—of His Word, of His heart—not just for knowledge, but for deep encounter!
I understood a tiny inkling of what the lady with the issue of blood must have felt like as she pressed in, knowing only Jesus could help. I wanted to learn and understand everything I could. I read the bible which is filled with so many accounts of healing (the word healing appears over 180 times in some translations). I read the accounts of past revivals and the incredible miracles that took place. I also came across many faith-filled believers who are seeing the sick healed and the dead raised in our day.
The more I studied the Word, the more convicted I became that the call of Jesus in Matthew 10:8—to “heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead”—was for me, and for every believer. I felt totally disqualified because I needed healing. How could I pray for anyone else? I didn’t see a qualification in Scripture that I had to be healed first, so I began to step out in obedience and pray for the sick.
To my surprise, I saw people being healed as I prayed. I knew I wasn’t the one doing the healing - it was all God, but it baffled me that God’s power could flow through me but not also heal me at the same time. Seeing God’s power touch others grew my faith exponentially and began to push out unbelief.
A Turning Point
Then in 2022, things came to a head. I found an incredible doctor who helped me finally get to the answers I needed. We had a diagnosis—severe atopic dermatitis that was not responsive to treatment. The only medical option left was a biological medication which cost a fortune and was not covered by my medical insurance.
There was nothing more the doctors could do. I kept using the topical meds with little relief and said, “Lord, this is now fully in Your hands. You are my Healer.” Around that time, I heard the testimony of an Australian preacher named Katherine Ruonala, who shared how God had healed her vocal cords from nodules. When she could barely speak, she began boldly declaring healing over her voice: “Thank You, Lord, that I have a beautiful singing voice, and my voice is strong & clear.’ Calling those things that are not yet as though they are. Three months later she suddenly woke up one morning completely healed.
It was a testimony that challenged me deeply. If our words carry life and death, what was I declaring? Was I stuck in a sickness narrative? Had the pain worn me down?
My prayers shifted from “Lord please heal me and take this away” to bold declarations of faith: “Thank You, Jesus, that even though I don’t see it yet, I am healed. Thank You, Jesus, that my skin is smooth again and provides a strong barrier that protects me.”
At first, it didn’t seem to change much, but a few months later I noticed my skin was calmer. There were still lesions, but the pain and discomfort had dropped from a 10/10 to a 6/10. Something was shifting.
The Miracle Unfolds
As an introvert, I didn’t love being the centre of attention or asking for prayer again and again, but I recognised that God partners with His people to release healing on the earth. I knew that I needed to stay open to prayer from others.
In September 2023, some revival healing nights took place in our area. I was hungry for a touch from the Lord and passionate about seeing healing break out in our city, so I attended every session. Some friends who came with me to one of the sessions received healing, others also received healing for all sorts of issues. But at the end of the weekend, I was still left with painful, itchy lesions. Whilst I was disappointed- the presence of God had been so tangible in that place, that I couldn’t feel hard done by - His presence is priceless!
A few weeks later, I was standing in our local coffee shop when a friend asked, “Hey, how’s your skin?” I looked down at my arm and stopped short—there were no lesions. My skin had been calm, with no itching, for the first time in eight years! When exactly the lesions disappeared I can’t say, but they were definitely there a week after the revival weekend and gone three to four weeks later. The Lord had done a gradual healing in that time. I still had two tiny spots left, but they were manageable. It was a life-changing moment, and I was unbelievably grateful.
Living in Gratitude
It’s been two years since that healing, and I’m still overwhelmed with gratitude for what God has done. Occasionally, the enemy tries to sow doubt—if I get a mosquito bite, he whispers, “Look, you’re itchy; it’s back.” But I take those thoughts captive and keep thanking Jesus for His goodness. I don’t want that sickness back again.
I’m also believing that I’ll see the beautiful restoration of everything that was stolen from me in those years of sickness.
What Healing Taught Me
Healing was never just about my skin; it was about discovering the heart of a Father who is good, faithful, and always willing to heal. This disease was never from God—it was the work of the enemy who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.
As John G. Lake once said, “Sickness is simply death in small doses.” But God is the giver of life—abundant, overflowing, and full of His goodness. The healing Jesus purchased for us on the cross is one of His greatest gifts. He will never take another stripe on His back for our healing, because the work of the cross was—and still is— complete.
I am living proof of His goodness and faithfulness. May we never forget what Jesus paid for.
“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.” Psalm 103
Final Note:
I share this story to encourage anyone walking through sickness or pain: God sees you. He is not the author of your suffering—He is the Healer who longs to restore you fully. Hold on to His Word, declare His promises, and don’t give up. The cross was enough.