The Pit Prepares you for Triumph

As a teenager, I knew I wanted to be a physician the day my school hosted a couple of female medical doctors. Their presence left an inedible mark and led me on a journey to pursue medicine. I eventually moved to the U.S. from Ghana for high school and made sure to focus on everything science related. Everything in college came pretty easy until my journey to medical school started. I eventually ended up at Ross University, where I saw one defeat after the other. Some days, I questioned if this path of medicine was truly for me. After my first semester, I failed by 1 point and had to repeat the whole semester again. It was an awful feeling! So much for someone who excelled in college. Medical school knows how to humble people, and boy, did it humble me. This defeat was a difficult one to process. Thankfully, I met a few friends, including Dr. Sam Antwi, who have become family to me. Their presence provided a much welcomed support system in a very stressful environment.

But the attacks escalated. This time, someone mysteriously used my identity to amass millions of dollars in debt. This almost ended my schooling as I no longer qualified for student loans. Even in this chaos, God was working! I felt like I was always sinking. In those days when I felt like giving up, I would remember a scripture my uncle sent me when I started med school -

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name, the Father will give you.” (John‬ ‭15‬:‭16‬)

Each time I was ready to give up, God would work a miracle that was enough to keep me limping along. I remember calling our administration office one day to ask about graduation, and I was told it would be easier to sit out and wait for the following year’s graduation. I told the guy thank you, but I will not choose the easy way. To graduate on time, I literally had to criss-cross the U.S. for clinical rotations. There was a little problem with this schedule, though. I didn’t have a reliable vehicle. My cousin called a family friend of hers who worked at a car rental company. Without knowing me, he jumped at the opportunity to help me. This stranger's kindness helped me finish medical school on time.

But here is the interesting part. Here comes the providence and the grace of God in full display. The stranger who helped me obtain a car in order to meet an impossible graduation deadline is now my amazing husband!! While I cried and toiled, the Lord was quietly executing His agenda for me. In a few weeks, we will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary!! Only God could write this story!!

Today, I run a successful practice as the primary physician for thousands of patients who adore me. I say this with a big sigh and in total awe of God. The dream of that teenage girl has manifested against all the opposing forces.

“What a God! His road stretches straight and smoothly. Every God-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward Him makes it.” (Psalms‬ ‭18‬:‭30‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

As you read, God might have given you a vision for your future, and it seems impossible? Perhaps you are stuck on the road of your professional or academic life. You look around and all your friends are going past you. It is much easier to cry and whine about your situation. I'm here to tell you that God is not done with you. Instead of whining, worship. Instead of crying, thank Him.

You see, His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts far supercedes ours.

You can thank Him now because He has already gone ahead of you to prepare the way. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it ALL for His glory.

Amen!

Nana Wilmot-DeSouza MD

21 Days of Thanksgiving! Day 11

The Grace Movement!