Christian women’s ministry leader, Dianna Hobbs, celebrates turning 42 on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018.

According to the first lady of City Church in Buffalo, NY, she is excited about being alive in light of all the health challenges that nearly snuffed out her life.

“I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was weak, in pain and feeling terrible. It was November 2nd, 2016. That was my 40th birthday,” reflected Hobbs on her Christianity Today Magazine recommended podcast, Your Daily Cup of Inspiration. “It was a milestone birthday, but I was so sick. My two autoimmune diseases at the time, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia, had gotten very aggressive. I was declining rapidly and didn’t have the strength nor the stamina to go outside and celebrate. I had always imagined celebrating my 40th with family and friends.”

In the broadcast titled “God will get glory out of your struggle,” Hobbs continued, “One of my younger sister’s named Alesha came over my house that day. She wanted to celebrate me and make me laugh. So here’s what she did for me. Every gift she bought me was something a 2-3 year old child should have. She bought me toys and it was hilarious.”

Though the wife and mom laughed that day, her condition was no laughing matter. Weeks later, doctors gave up on any hope of recovery and told the critically ill Hobbs that the most they could do was manage her pain and “make her comfortable.”

“I could be dead and gone today,” said Hobbs. “And according to medical specialists, I should be dead. But God saw fit to spare my life and heal me at that prayer service on March 26th, 2017. He took all my pain and misery away in just a moment.”

Now that Hobbs is disease-free, pain-free and enjoying a clean bill of health, she says special days are made that much more special.

For those who wish to celebrate the ministry founder’s birthday and give her a gift, she made an appeal on her podcast, saying, “Please donate to Empowering Everyday Women Ministries. Your tax deductible gift will really help my nonprofit organization to help those in need and continue sharing the Gospel.”

For those still in a fight, Hobbs said, “There is a purpose in this struggle,” adding, “A new day is coming. Victory is already yours. Deliverance is on the horizon. It’s been midnight for a while in your life, but I can see the breaking of day. The struggle is almost over. God is up to something amazing and when He does it, let everybody know it was God who did it.”

Listen to the full podcast below and if you would like to donate to Empowering Everyday Women Ministries in her honor, click here.