Precious's Exam Breakthrough
By Precious Ojo
The build-up….
It’s a little surreal to think back over this testimony because it really is such a ‘God did it’ moment for me.
So I guess we will rewind back to July of 2022, I had just finished a gruelling final semester and was certainly feeling the pressure. Year 3 of medical school had not been a walk in the park by any means; the difficulty level had certainly stepped itself up and honestly, fear was beginning to settle in. It was becoming harder and harder for me to see a cross over the finish line. I could not help but ask, “would I successfully make it through to the end of this academic year?”
Amid this doubt, the last thing I needed was anything else to throw me off the boat. I had already completed one exam, but the 4 I had remaining (2 written exams and 2 practical exams) looked scarier and scarier as each day went on. The thought of failing and having to repeat the exam season or worse, redo such a challenging year was fuelling my anxiety.
The season that was up ahead was going to be a very long one and there were not many days between each of the assessments. I had already waited so long just to get to this point. To fully set the scene, these were the days of each exam.
Exam 1: Tuesday 12th July 2022- Afternoon start
Exam 2: Wednesday 13th July 2022 – Afternoon start
Exam 3: Monday 18th July 2022- Morning Start
Exam 4: Tuesday 19th July 2022- Afternoon Start
Somehow by the Grace of God, I had to keep my cool and carry on between each of these exams and trust that my God who has been faithful, would see me through.
I had been doing okay to be honest, having people around me, encouraging me, praying for me, and supporting me was everything and it helped to hold me up a little stronger. That was until things took an unexpected turn for the worse when sickness tried to take me out at the last minute. It was just 4 days before my 1st exam, on the morning of the 9th of July, when I noticed a little tickle in my throat.
Finding out…
At this point, I did not think much of it. In fact, I was a little in denial that something was happening because of the upcoming exams.
But far, far in the very back of my mind, I had considered the possibility of the most dreaded outcome.
What if this is aunty Rona?
I brushed that thought to the side and continued my revision at home. However, as the day progressed, so did my symptoms… By the late afternoon, I was sneezing profusely, my eyes were watering, and my nose was beginning to get blocked.
In an effort to pass time (and very high-key procrastinate lol) , I recorded a snapchat video just to comment on how I was feeling. In the video, I likened the symptoms to ‘hay fever’ and said that I was ‘coming off the end of a bad cold’ but I knew really that my symptoms had only just started.
So, in knowing the repercussions on my exams if I did not take a Covid 19 test, I went ahead to take the test in the evening. I remember hesitantly taking the test, fully understanding all the possible consequences. I just kept thinking surely it couldn’t be.
Regardless, I took the swab sample. Mixed it with the liquid. Dropped it into the test strip. And waited. The water line kept rising. It passed the 1st mark and there was no line.
I suddenly got hopeful.
It passed the 2nd mark and the control line appeared (so I knew the test was working). For a split second, I had a small moment of relief. That was until I noticed a super faint line developing at the 1st mark.
The worst had now become the reality. I had just tested positive for COVID!!
What do we do now?...
When I think back over this time, I find it difficult to remember the exact details of this specific moment. I remember everything else relating to the other days moving forward, but I don’t remember much of what happened on the rest of the evening of the 9th July.
I think it’s because I just went to sleep lol. But from what I do remember, despite the absolute dire nature of the situation, I never had panic set in at any point. I was never worried.
I praise God for this testimony, because truly in that moment, He was my refuge and my shelter (Philippians 4 v 7). There was such a deep intrinsic knowing that it would all be okay (Romans 8 v 28). So much so, that I was able to go to sleep.
Not once did I think, I’m going to miss these exams because of the sickness which were in 3 days at this point! The only anxiety provoking thoughts I had were the ones I mentioned at the start, and they all hinged on me actually sitting the exams! So, despite the enemy trying to knock my confidence with physical infirmity, the spiritual stability that I had through peace of mind held me up strong! And that could have only come from the Holy Spirit.
10th July 2022- 2 days to the 1st exam
The next day, I continue with my typical revision routine in the morning whilst isolating myself in my room. Later in the day, I heard God tell me to take another COVID test (could’ve only been Him to tell me to do this, because I was still low-key salty at the last one with the faint line!)
In all obedience, I went to take another COVID test and this time the two lines were as bold as could be. There was no denying that I definitely had COVID. As the test was confirmed to be positive, I heard God say to me “ I need you to take a picture of these two tests side by side.”
Feeling a little bewildered, I went to take the picture of the two tests. At that time, the Lord shared with me that “ I am making you take a picture of these two tests so that you can watch this miracle play out in real time, because I am about to do a miracle for you”
There was a total of 1 full day ( 11th July) and 1 half day ( the morning of the 12th July) before the start of the exams, so it really could only take a miracle to save everything at this point.
My faith was being challenged in ways it had never been before. I was literally trusting God right out into the unknown, there was nothing that I could hold onto aside from my hope in Jesus ( I guess that really is what faith is).
Ordinarily, this sort of circumstance would have been enough to prompt me to fill ‘a not fit to sit’ form to exempt me from the exams. But I remember the Holy Spirit repeatedly challenging my faith and reminding me to trust Him.
This trust was not a blind leap of optimism, but rather it was a dependence on the God that has repeatedly been tried and proven to be true, the God that parted the red sea for the Israelites, the God that healed the woman with the issue of blood and the God that arose my Saviour Jesus Christ from the dead. This…this was definitely not too hard for Him.
Part of the reason my faith was being challenged so much was because the Lord had actually shared with me how this was going to play out. He had said to me once I tested positive, that on Tuesday morning ( the morning of my first exam) the COVID test would be negative and that in the meantime, I should complete the following instructions over the upcoming days.
Take the Holy Communion every day ( remembering the finished work of Jesus)
Continue to study as Normal ( I took precaution to not spread anything)
Take a Covid test on the morning of each day
God said I should watch this miracle, so who am I to try and stop this from happening! It was time to watch God do what he does best, make a way in this wilderness and a river in this desert.
Let the Miracle begin!
Photo by Larissa Cardoso on Unsplash
As instructed, I continued to revise as normal and when the next morning came around, I took a COVID test. My House mate helped me to ensure that I took the Holy communion. She would bring the cup and bread outside my door and we would take it together. I thank God for her obedience and diligence in ensuring that this part of the instruction was upheld. I cherish and deeply appreciated her sisterhood during that challenging time.
It was certainly nerve-wracking taking the COVID tests, especially on the 11th July, because there was a small part of me that doubted the word that the Lord had given me. I couldn’t help but wonder what if the COVID test is not negative by Tuesday…. In those moments, the Holy spirit was gentle and gracious to remind me of all the ways He has showed up for me in the past. That was comforting. He was also actively reminding me of the simple things, my heart was still beating, I had a roof over my head, food on my table, I was a alive and He was still God (Jude 1 v 24-25). This filled my heart with gratitude, it quietened the noise of the chaotic exam season and the current circumstance. It helped to calm me down and readjust my focus to Jehovah. Even if things played out in a different way, The God of the universe has had His final say in this situation.
Despite the fact that I had actually felt much stronger and fully healed on the 11th July, the COVID test that I took on that morning was still boldly positive. I did all that I could do the day before an exam, which was to continue studying. By the evening I had taken my Holy Communion and was getting ready for bed. It felt like a normal evening for me. My mind was fully in exam mode, I had even forgotten about the ‘current situation’. In another snapchat video I recorded at this time ( clearly this was my go to mode of procrastination lol), I remember joking that I was struggling to sleep because I was excited to finally start the exams to get them over and done with! I went to bed feeling completely fine!
Tuesday morning comes around and I wake up feeling stronger than ever. There was now less than 5 hours until the start of my exam and there was only one thing that was on my mind to do. The COVID test.
So I go to do the test. Nervously. I remember praying this prayer and encouraging my faith before taking the test.
“Father God, thank you, You have led me by faith to this point, I’m trusting you to see me through and I know this test will be negative”
It was important for me to commit the doubts I was feeling to God and remind my spirit of the promise of the Lord, all before taking the test. This proclamation stirred up my faith and encouraged me to believe wholeheartedly that the promises of the Lord were true and had already been fulfilled through the completed work on the cross ( 2 Corinthians 1 v 20). This moment was a chance for my faith to be encouraged in light of that fact.
So I took the swab sample. Mixed it with the liquid. Dropped it into the test strip. And waited. The water line kept rising.
It passed the 1st mark and there was no line.
It passed the 2nd mark and the control line appeared.
The test at this point is negative. Suddenly a huge grin was forming on my face.
However, considering what happened with the COVID test on the 1st day when a faint line appeared, I continued to wait a few moments to see if anything showed up.
Nope. Nothing. The test remained negative.
They say that ideally you should wait around 30 mins after taking the COVID test to allow the test strip to fully dry for the most accurate result.
So despite the negative result at that point, I waited the full 30 minutes, went to have some breakfast and came back.
30 minutes later, I could not believe my eyes!
THE TEST WAS STILL NEGATIVE!
GOD HAD CURED ME OF COVID IN 2 DAYS !!!!
HE HAD KEPT HIS PROMISE TO ME THAT ON TUESDAY MORNING THE COVID TEST WOULD BE NEGATIVE!!
I WAS IN FULL HEALTH, READY FOR THE START OF MY EXAMS (LITERALLY JUST IN TIME)!!
I screamed so loud that I’m surprised no one came knocking on my door. I just could not believe my eyes! The day before the COVID line was so defined and today the test was negative, not faint, completely negative!
And because of the instructions God gave me, He made sure it was all caught on camera!
With a clean bill of health, I left to go and sit my exam that day, and the remaining on the following days. By God’s Grace I passed the hardest year of medical school!
All Glory to God for His provision, kindness and patience with me. I love you Lord more than anything in this world! I praise you for this Testimony and I hope that it has blessed and encouraged you as you have read it.
They had power over him and won because of the blood of the Lamb and by telling what He had done for them. They did not love their lives but were willing to die.
- Revelations 12:11 NLV
About Precious Ojo:
I’m a 22 year old intercalating medical student ( 4 years down, 2 to go) and a follower of Jesus Christ! I believe in the value and importance of testimonies to encourage one another. It does say after all that they overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony! I love all things travel, fashion and family☺️
I hope one day, to be able to use the gift of my degree to truly impact the communities ( both at home and worldwide) that the Lord is calling me to.
I absolutely love spending time with other believers, loving and growing with each other. I could genuinely have the same discussion on the awesomeness of God 5 times a day! Oh and did I mention that I absolutely love a good brunch! ( especially with my sisters! If you also love a good brunch, check out on Instagram @brunchwiththegirls_ 👀)
Stay blessed x
Editor - Angelina Owusu
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