In September 2017, country singing sensation Jo Dee Messina revealed to fans that she had been diagnosed with cancer via a statement on her website.
“Over the years, Jo Dee has built a close relationship with her fans, so those of us at Team JDM wanted to be the first to let you know that she was recently diagnosed with cancer,” the statement read. “It has been a trying summer, but her heart has been filled with gratitude for the many opportunities she has had to see God’s hand at work.”
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Even though she was now battling a terrible disease, that didn’t stop Messina’s fighting spirit, something that producer Seth Morley admired. After her diagnosis, the two met for a writing session and wrote the song “Here.”
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“It was one of the most powerful moments I’ve had in my entire studio career,” Morley said. “To see Jo Dee singing ‘there’s no pain, there’s no fear, here’ through the cancer and the chaos that she is walking through…God is going to use her and her story to intercept people in their pain and remind them that He is near.”
Now, a little over a year later, Messina has given a new interview with PEOPLE updating her fans on her cancer fight – and even debuting new music.
She has stayed pretty private about the type of cancer she has and what kind of treatments she is receiving and the “Heads Carolina, Tails California” singer reveals it hasn’t been easy. However, there has been one thing that’s helped her through this entire process.
“I’m leaning on God,” she says. “I’m letting Him take charge. It’s what’s best for my soul right now. Every biopsy and every result…it feels like an eternity goes by. I know that God has me. I’m filled with gratitude and joy.”
Messina still stays busy with sons Noah and Jonah, ages nine and six respectively, but doesn’t want to sugar coat anything for them.
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“I have wanted to be honest with the kids. I want to be a safe place for them. But I have let them see the realness of the pain and the struggle of my surgery,” she told PEOPLE.
Along with providing a small update on her ongoing cancer treatments, Messina has released a new song called “Reckless Love,” which she describes as a song that “tells the news that people need to know, that God provides a love that we will never understand,” she says. “Human love is so conditional. His love isn’t.”
We will keep Messina in our prayers as she continues her battle.
Take a listen to “Reckless Love” below.