her |həː, hə| pronoun 1 used as the object of a verb or preposition to refer to a female person previously mentioned or easily identified: she knew I loved her.

We were so honored to have my friend, Christine Handy, join us as our guest speaker for Equipped by Faith last night. Christine is a wife, mother and breast cancer survivor living between Dallas, Texas and Miami, Florida. She recently released her first book, Walk Beside Me, discussing her battle with breast cancer and the power of friendship, prayer and hope.

Read more about my beautiful friend in the Q&A interview below–what a gem!

Equipped by Faith: Q&A with Christine Handy

1.) What do you think you were put on this earth for? What’s your biggest dream in life?
I was put on this earth to struggle, and after that long struggle, I was meant to share the story. James 1:2 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Ultimately, I believe I was put on this earth to be a source of hope for those who read my story, see my story or hear my story. My hope is that people would see that. There is hope always, and the Lord turns every situation to good. And I tell you truly, He gives it all back–plus more. My motto is always “Purpose in pain”. My biggest dream would be that my book would be made into a movie to get the widest audience possible in order to share this story.

2.) What are some of the obstacles that you have had to go through to get to the point you are at now?
There are so many that got me here. Lack of self worth issues early in my life (which led to an eating disorder), putting more trust in people instead of the Lord (which led to me almost bleeding to death on the operating table in 2006 when I had a colon surgery where the doctor had to remove 28 inches of my colon), and then in 2011 when I had a torn ligament and a simple wrist surgery it turned into a full wrist fusion. I trusted the doctor with the Stanford diploma who bullied me so badly I didn’t recognize myself. Then, when I was diagnosed with BC I struggled with being diagnosed with cancer, asking myself, “Why me?”. I have no cancer in my family, and felt blind-sided by that right after I went through the year long battle with my arm.

I was so overwhelmed, I decided that I was going to kill myself. I truly believed that my family and friends would be better off without me, and I believed I was doing them a favor. I believed I wasn’t worthy of asking for help during cancer, and if I wasn’t worthy then I couldn’t get through it–so suicide was my only option. It took me almost dying to truly start living. You never know how strong you are until you have nothing left. Today, I wouldn’t ask, “Why me?”, I would now ask, “Why not me?”. It’s Gods plan and His story.

3.) What motivates/inspires you?
I am inspired by the women who saved my life. I am inspired by their selfless spirits. I am inspired by people who could care less about what others think of them. I am inspired by people who suffer and use it to help others. I am motivated by my history and my endurance to fight the fight. My friends were the hands and feet of the Lord and they inspired me. Now it’s my job to do the same for others. That’s what inspires me.

4.) What do you want to be remembered by?
I want to be remembered by what I gave, not what I took. I want to be remembered for sharing this story, the story God gave me. He loved me so much He entrusted this story to me, now I have to go deliver it. I want to be remembered for doing my job, for Him.

5.) What advice you would give other women searching for their purpose, passion & faith?
Advice is hard, there are so many voices we listen to. But I would say, listen to your default thoughts. If you say you are unworthy in your head, then that’s what you believe and become. If you don’t like your default thoughts ask God to change them. Immerse yourself in Christian music and Christian podcasts. When you watch TV, watch T.D. Jakes, not the Bachelor. Surround yourself with people that lift you up, not tear you down. Listen to and absorb in all those venues and you will find your purpose. It will shine so bright and you will change your life. It will be so beautiful that it won’t feel like work or sacrifice, it will be pure joy. Jesus is the light. He will lead you.

6.) What has been your greatest achievement in life, so far?
My greatest achievement has been my total transformation and courage to put it all out there. Not just for my own well-being, but for the people who watched it happen, and for the people now who need to hear this story–because their lives have changed too. I went from being an entitled consumer, a prideful person that cared about my reputation, a person in love with stuff and others’ praise–a life built on sand, to now a life built on God’s promises and my faith. I will not be shaken. The Lord has brought me through for me to shout what is really important–not whisper. People matter. It’s the WHO not the what. People’s stories matter, not the status and the selfies. It’s UNDER the facade that counts. It’s not what I look like anymore, it’s about who I am on the inside that matters.

7.) How does what you do reflect ministry, what God placed on your heart to share with the world?
My job reflects ministry. My book shows the depth of the Lord’s love for us, and His persistence to make us right. My story shows how God sent the women in my life, way in advance, to teach me of His unfailing love. It’s a story of God showing me He would never forsake me–and He didn’t. Even when I forsook myself, He said, “No, I will carry you until you can walk without stumbling and then I’ll keep carrying you.”

God gave me a story, entrusted me to speak it, and I will never stop. My brand, my book, and my speeches aren’t ego-driven. It’s not about the “likes” or the notoriety, it’s about the story and my job to share God’s grace, persistence, and unfailing love.

8.) What books are you currently reading?
I am reading 3 books (below), but I am also in the middle of writing my second book, so I write more than I read right now.

The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman
Boundaries, by Cloud Townsend
Love Without Limits, by Nick Vujicic

9.) How do you stay encouraged and faith-filled?
I re-read my own book and story occasionally when I need a self esteem boost. Reminding myself of God’s faithfulness puts my life back into center.

10.) Favorite Scripture of the moment?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all ways submit to Him and he will guide your path.” Proverbs 3:5

Christine’s heart and story are as rare and beautiful as she is. I hope you enjoyed reading a little bit of what makes her so lovely. Remember to buy her book, Walk Beside Me, to support Christine, and to be greatly encouraged and inspired!

XO-
Sabrina