In one of her poignant emails, Julie Pilling referred to the biblical account of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Challenged by the king to worship him or die, they saw but one choice. Everyone knew that for them to worship the king would be to betray their God. Their response: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Dan. 3:16-18).

Before the incidents recorded in the book of Daniel, those three young men were scarcely distinguishable from a host of very ordinary people sent into captivity. Their noble lineage would seem to be of no benefit—or even a danger—as slaves of a foreign king. However, extremely difficult circumstances brought out the sterling character in these ordinary people. No doubt they would have given God the credit for their faith and strength while facing life-and-death pressure.

Under different circumstances, Julie Pilling’s faith and strength might have been noticed by just a small circle of acquaintances. But the crucible that she faced—a cancer diagnosis—clarified for a throng of people that this woman’s faith was anything but ordinary. More accurately, the object of this woman’s faith was not ordinary. The source of the power that came from her through her intense ordeal was, as she said, the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego the king saw a “fourth man, like a son of the gods”; and so in the story of Julie Pilling we see the power of another Person at work—the power of Christ. Truly, in the hour of her trials, the Lord was with her. Though Julie’s words are full of grace and of the peace that passes understanding, she always makes clear that those things came from Christ in her rather than by her own ability. It gives me hope that, in the hours where I am pressed, I will not need to draw on my own ordinary abilities more than I draw on the God with unlimited abilities.

Julie is now with her Lord, but her emails are on ongoing testimony. We as readers learn a tremendous amount of life lessons from them. She was wise enough to know that those who were praying for her would also face their own trials; that they needed not only to be able to pray for her specifically but to be able to trust God for themselves. As her audience read the emails and interceded on her behalf, they were being instructed and encouraged themselves about how to live life through trials. Her emails are one of the most poignantly practical lessons on sanctification that you’ll ever read.

—Drew Gordon