“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
~ 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
At our Spring Hope4Hollywood Ladies Tea: Stories of Courage, Leslie Carcamo shared how God grew her courage through struggles of being born with Spina Bifida. Here is an excerpt from her testimony:
“My story of courage begins even before I was born. When my mother was 4 months pregnant, God began to infuse her with the courage that she would pass on to me. The doctors insisted that she have an abortion because they were convinced that I would never walk. My mother persisted, however, and on April 25, 1989 I was born with Spina Bifida. Out of the 3 types of Spina Bifida I was diagnosed with the most severe type. Minutes after I was born I was taken away from my parents for my first surgery.
During my teenage years I became very frustrated with myself which slowly descended into a dark depression. I even questioned my existence. Although I never suffered from bullies, I was my own bully. I constantly told myself: “I am not good enough.” I was in and out of the hospital for surgeries and often missed a lot of school. 1 Corinthians 12:10 says “…for when I am weak, then I am strong.” I believe that in moments of weakness and hopelessness we collide with God’s strength and find courage. These “collisions” have helped me to break through a mindset of defeat and ignited a belief in God’s promises for my life.
In 2011 I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication-TV Production. Today I drive a car which many (including myself) thought impossible and in 2015 I went to Malaysia for 3 months to study Ministry. I now realize that my true limitations are not physical, but in my mind. After many surgeries, I have been left with physical scars on my body which are a constant reminder of God’s strength and power at work in my life. Most of all, I am learning every day how to hold onto the courage my mom passed on to me 28 years ago.
Where in your life are you facing insurmountable obstacles?
How can you rely on God’s strength and courage in the midst?
Be Well Resources 
Leslie, what a powerful telling of your story in 3 paragraphs. You are an amazing writer who has much to share and inspire all. One of your fans, with love, Candyce
In reading your challenges and victory, I recognize that challenges we each experience can be diverse, yet, can produce the same mental, emotional and spiritual debilitating results inside of us. Thank you for your example of courage and showing us how faithful God is to be strong for us, and to help us trust Him to be the more-than-conquerors that we are made in Christ – not in our ability, but in His. You’re beautiful!