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Illness has a way of asking questions that challenge even the strongest faith: Why me? Where is God? Will this ever end?
Through the centuries, believers have wrestled with these questions. And today, we still do.
SAT-7 ARABIC’s podcast Nabad, which translates as “Heartbeat” or “Pulse,” is bringing these difficult and often painful questions into the open. And, through a powerful combination of personal testimonies, biblical teaching, and honest discussion, it is helping viewers connect faith with life’s challenges.
“Take Me Home”
For Jessie Fakhry, a recent guest on Nabad, faith in sickness is a deeply personal issue. Diagnosed with leukemia at just 12 years old, she found herself facing a journey that would transform her faith.
Determined not to let cancer define her, Jessie chose to cut off her own hair before treatment could take it from her. “I did not want the illness to have power over me or think that it was stronger than I was,” she said.
Yet the physical challenges continued. The treatment left her unable to walk and she found herself using a wheelchair. At her lowest point, she cried out to God: “If I am going to keep suffering like this, then take me home.”
But Jessie’s perspective changed when she met children even younger than herself battling the same disease. “They did not even know how to ask God why they were suffering, yet they were smiling and happy,” she said. “I wanted to change this perception and prove that cancer is not the end of life, but the beginning of a life filled with strength.”
Soon, Jessie found herself praying for something different: “Leave me on earth, and I promise You that on the day I am healed, I will never stop speaking about cancer, no matter how my life changes.
“I believe that the reason I am on earth today is to stand beside every patient and tell them that even if all the doctors on earth have no solution, our Lord holds every solution in His hands.”
Beyond the Studio
While Jessie’s testimony formed the emotional center of the episode, Nabad gave space to others to share their experiences and reflections.
Host Pastor Nabil Habibi explored a balanced understanding of illness, challenging two common extremes: that sickness is always a blessing to be embraced, or that it is always the result of weak faith or spiritual failure. Instead, the discussion pointed viewers towards the biblical hope that, while illness is part of a broken world, God is able to work through suffering to strengthen faith and draw people closer to Him.
The episode also took the conversation beyond the studio through a vox pop, asking people online: “What is the most difficult illness you have experienced, and how did you deal with it?”
“My sister became ill, and I haven’t got over it because she is still undergoing treatment,” one viewer wrote. “The situation is very difficult, but we rely on God and hope that she will improve. It makes a real difference when other people pray with you.”
Many viewers shared deeply personal experiences during the live broadcast and online. One woman reflected: “During illness, I discovered that the Lord is the only constant in this fragile and changing world. I realized that many things we take for granted are actually precious gifts from God.”
A social media poll echoed this theme, with the overwhelming majority agreeing that although illness is not God’s direct desire for humanity, He can use suffering to strengthen faith.
Honest Conversations
The viewers’ experiences, together with Jessie’s story, show how faith can reshape the way people live through sickness. Across the series, thousands of viewers have shared comments, testimonies, and conversations, reflecting Nabad’s growing role as a place for honest discussion and mutual encouragement.
The program has now completed its second season of 26 live episodes, exploring theological questions, difficult issues, and everyday struggles. Topics included “What is the Trinity?”; “Does God have a plan for everything?”; “How do I pray?”; “Why does God allow bad things to happen?”; and “Christian faith and money.” Posts from Nabad on social media have attracted over 250,000 interactions.
Each week, as Nabad explores the questions that arise when faith meets everyday life, it goes beyond simple solutions, helping viewers discover biblical truth, practical encouragement, and the reassurance that they are not walking through life’s challenges alone.
“The topics you discuss are very engaging, and we always look forward to the next episode,” wrote Nagla. “The guests’ stories are truly a blessing, and they leave us wanting more each time. God bless you.”
Nabad is part of SAT-7’s multi-language project Reconnecting the MENA to Hope in partnership with Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM).
Please Pray
That those living with serious illness may know Christ’s presence, strength, and hope, whatever their circumstances.
For the Nabad team as they tackle difficult questions with biblical wisdom, compassion, and courage.
That viewers across the MENA region may encounter Jesus through these honest conversations and discover that they are never alone in their struggles.
