Editor’s note: Siedah Sivels died on March 30 after battling a rare form of cancer for four years. The family asked if we would publish Siedah’s testimony.
When I came to this world I had to fight, being one and a half pounds, not giving up, not giving in to lose my life. My parents believe that I will succeed, never giving up on my dreams.
I struggled as a baby, being a preemie, had tubes up my nose that wouldn’t leave me. As I grew older, I grew stronger; I grew greater than I did before. I believe that one day I will succeed and become that young lawyer on TV.
As time went on, my life was cool, until in 2004. I took a dramatic turn. The doctors told me I had cancer, two days before my 18th birthday. They told me they wanted to cut off my hands, but I wasn’t having that.
It hurt me, it broke me, and I didn’t want to live-until I believed what God’s word said, “With His stripes I’m healed”… and I believed that and stood on it. Eleven months of ups and downs, good times and bad. I made it through, and I don’t have to be sad. Through that time, my friends left me and my family too. They acted like I had a contagious disease. I had very few visitors. It hurt so bad, like people don’t love no more it made me mad.
When God healed me that first time, I forgave the people who hurt me and stood on his word, “I can do all through Christ who strengthens me.” Through it all I tried to keep a smile on my face, thanking God for his grace. In the midst of it, I met celebrities and autographs too. God had favor on my life-it’s powerful.
When that season passed, I moved on to start my dreams. Then, BOOM! Oh No, here we go again for the second time. I couldn’t believe it. The tumors came back on my arm. Thank God for paying attention, even though I didn’t want to do it all over again.
Six months this time. I had people praying for me and believing on what His word said. Then Boom Again-all of a sudden the Devil tried to attack me again for the third time. I find lumps in the upper part of my arm. I couldn’t believe it, but I stayed focused and determined to beat what the devil tried to stop me with.
This process was short, only three months, and God brought me through it. Then, Oh No, for the fourth time in my left leg. I was on crutches for a month, but it didn’t stop me to praise God. I continued to press my way even in bad times.
I’m a fifth time Miracle. Look what God did. Now I live and try to be an example, like what it says in I Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you’re young. Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.”
I thank God for keeping my mind and heart focused on him. Now I know I’m here for a reason-to spread His word and tell what He’s done for me.
Basically I want to share what’s on mind and heart, to say “NEVER TAKE LIFE FOR GRANTED.” You only have one shot. Life is so precious. Remember, the time on the clock is running out. I pray that you wake up because the time is near and God is on His way back. Don’t play with God-God is NOT a video game; he is NOT a PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, or even a Myspace account. You just can’t delete him or sign him out. Just surrender your all and everything to him; he’s waiting for you.
Lastly, I want to say, even in the midst of the trials and tribulations you might have in your life-you’re a SURVIVOR.God healed me from cancer four times, and with him I survived that. With God you can survive anything, just trust and believe him … and believe.
Also you must have love-for God and people. You got to be real, not fake; you can say it with words but don’t mean it. Your actions speak louder than your words. When someone is in need or just need someone to talk to, you should be there to pick them up, not knock them down. We must love one another like Christ loves us.
Just be real … be real.
Repeat this: I’m a Survivor …
