Petrone Bartels

My Journey So Far — I Am Victorious - Petroné Bartels

My Journey So Far — I Am Victorious

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13

On 31 July, I walked into my first chemotherapy and targeted treatment.

There are moments in life when you know you are stepping into something that will change you. This was one of those moments.

For an hour and a half during my treatment, I had the cold glove treatment on my hands. It was uncomfortable, but instead of allowing my mind to focus on the discomfort or fear, I prayed.

Over and over, I held onto the words God has placed so deeply in my heart:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
— Philippians 4:13

For those 90 minutes, that Scripture became more than words to me.

It became my declaration.

Christ is my strength.

The days that followed were not easy.

I became very unwell and was hospitalised for six days with severe headaches and starvation due to the ongoing issues with my stomach.

My body was weak.

There were difficult days and long nights.

But even there, God was with me.

I have never believed that being victorious means we will never experience pain, weakness or difficult circumstances. Victory is knowing Who walks with us through them.

And by His grace, I am still here.

Still standing.

Still believing.

Still trusting.

Still continuing the race set before me.

And I choose to run it victoriously.

Then came 20 August — my second chemotherapy and targeted treatment.

Once again, I sat in that chair knowing what might follow, but also knowing something far greater:

I do not sit there alone.

The nausea has been severe. The headaches have returned. My body is tired and this journey continues to challenge me physically.

But my spirit knows where my strength comes from.

“He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
— 1 John 4:4

Cancer does not get to define who I am.

Chemotherapy does not get to define who I am.

A hospital bed does not get to define who I am.

My circumstances do not get the final word over my life.

Christ does.

I am not walking this journey pretending that it is easy.

I am walking it knowing that my God is greater.

When my body is weak, He remains strong.

When the road becomes difficult, He remains faithful.

When I cannot see what tomorrow holds, I know Who holds me today.

This journey is teaching me that courage does not always look like standing tall and feeling strong.

Sometimes courage is lying in a hospital bed and still saying, “Lord, I trust You.”

Sometimes faith is receiving another treatment while declaring, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Sometimes victory is simply getting up again and continuing the race.

We decide how we run our race — either as a victim or as a victor.

I have made my choice.

I will not run this race as a victim.

I am victorious.

Not because the road is easy.
Not because I don’t experience pain.
Not because I know what tomorrow will bring.

I am victorious because Christ is in me, Christ strengthens me, and Christ walks every step of this race with me.

So I will continue.

I will pray.

I will trust.

I will believe.

And I will keep running the race God has placed before me.

Not as a victim of my circumstances.

But as a victor through Christ who strengthens me.

There may still be difficult days ahead. There may be more nausea, more headaches, more treatments and moments when my body feels exhausted.

But there is one thing I know:

He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world.

By His grace, I have come this far.

By His grace, I will continue.

And whatever this journey brings, my declaration remains:

I am a victor through Christ who strengthens me.

I am still running my race.

I choose victory.

I am victorious. 🎀💗

To God be all the glory