Emily Parker spoke with author Kate Nicholas about her healing from inoperable advanced breast cancer, the supernatural peace she was given and why she has written her new book Sea Changed.

Kate with her family

Kate: The period when I had cancer and when I was having the cancer treatment, is probably the period of the most profound spiritual growth that I've ever had.

One passage I kept on focusing on during this time was Matthew 14. It's the great story where Peter's called out of the boat by Jesus, walking on the water. Quite sensibly he has a lot of caution about stepping out into a storm, or on the waves, but it made me realise that faith is passive as a noun, but trust is active as a verb. To trust is to take action.

I realised that you had to trust that God was going to use this situation for good. I had to trust that He's going to heal me. And so I was very careful about how I spoke about this cancer. I didn't talk about the symptoms. I talked about my hope. I didn't dwell on the symptoms. I didn't look for sympathy. I focused on God's promise.

I've been a control freak most of my life and so for the first time in my life I found myself in a situation that was out of my control. I understood for the first time what it really means to surrender.

I remember I was given one passage that kept coming to me again and again. It was Psalm 118:17, 'I will not die but I will live and declare the works of God.'

I said at the time, if I survive, then I must use my life to help others who may be facing this kind of situation; who may be feeling they can't find God in the face of adversity; who may be struggling to find God.

Emily: How long have you been cancer free?

Kate: I've now been two years free of cancer.

Emily: That's amazing. You've just said you wanted to use your life for good and for God. What has that been like in the outworking?

Kate: It's amazing how God turns your life upside down. My time at World Vision was extraordinary and the way in which the organisation came around me during the time I had cancer was extraordinary. I'm forever grateful to them, but at the beginning of this year I did step out in faith.

As I said, when I was ill, I really felt that I was called to declare the works of God. I'm already an authorised preacher in the Church of England, but I realised that my testimony and Sea Changed could help others. I remember one person who read the book said to me, "It helped take away the bone-crunching fear of cancer."

So in addition to my regular preaching, I'm now doing an increasing number of talks around the country. I'm talking to Christian media; I'm writing for some Christian magazines and I'm also starting to work as a consultant using my experience to help organisations look at public engagement and communication strategies. That includes working with some Christian organisations, which I'm very keen on, to help look at how to get the message out and how to share the good news.

Emily: Looking back on your journey, did you ever have a moment where you blamed God for the cancer, or for the journey that you had to walk?

Kate: I wouldn't say I ever blamed God. I prayed a great deal for Him to take this away from me. I never felt angry. I think this is one of the most extraordinary things. I felt very sad, because I really did not want to leave my children, or my husband, so I felt desperate sadness, but the amazing thing about it is I never felt betrayed.