TV Host John Tesh Given 18 Months to Live, Finds Hope Thanks to This Bible Verse
There’s nothing like a health crisis to cause a person to rethink what truly matters in life. It will strip someone of their pride and get them thinking about spiritual matters, even those who are successful.
Many would say John Tesh had it all. But the success of GRAMMY nominations, Emmy awards, hosting TV and radio shows, and being an internationally recognized concert pianist were not where he found strength and hope when he needed it the most.
Tesh told CBN News that back in 2015, he had been diagnosed with a very aggressive form of prostate cancer. Four tumors had been found, and he was basically told operating would cause the cancer to spread even faster than the 18 months doctors said he had left.
The news devastated him, and he said he, “went into protective mode” for his family, making final arrangements.
About midway through his health crisis, the cancer became his identity. The mindset of a person’s terminal sickness becoming their identity is a common occurrence in a health crisis.
For that matter, the crisis of becoming widowed, losing a child or other personal trauma can have the same type of impact on a person. But a Christian’s identity needs to be in Christ (Eph 1:3-23).
“I gave up. I was drinking three or four highballs of scotch a night and chasing it with Vicodin,” Tesh told CBN’s Faithwire in an interview.
Tesh’s wife, Connie Sellecca, worked to help inspire Tesh to focus on getting healed rather than allowing his sickness to steal his hope and plans for their future. Tesh grew up in a Christian home, but his faith wasn’t especially central to his life.
Then the Lord began to show him through various people, His Word, and prayer, about how His Word and prayer can positively impact people’s circumstances. Tesh focused on healing scriptures, but really found himself clinging to the scripture verse, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, ESV)
“I don’t believe God put this on me, but the motivation to see it through definitely was spiritual,” Tesh said.
Eventually, his deeper understanding of the Word renewing your mind, and the way it brings power, healing, and hope influenced the creation of the Tesh TV platform. Tesh TV became a source for providing viewers with positive, motivational speakers, and in the evening, it features Tesh on the keyboard reading healing scriptures.
Tesh said that when you’re going through a health crisis, you need, “an action plan,” and “a health advocate,” which could be either a friend or family member. He also said some form of exercise and “micro goals” are helpful in maintaining a positive focus during the healing journey.
Tesh has quite the amazing history, which he talks about in his memoir, entitled, “Relentless.” Certainly it does appear that the Lord has had His hand on Tesh, even from his early years, and graciously opened some pretty incredible doors for this risk-taking celebrity.
You can find additional information about John Tesh at his website.
