“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, LET US HOLD FAST OUR CONFESSION.” – Hebrews 4:14 New King James Version.
“Mr. Brown, you have cancer.” Those three words — you have cancer — are among the most feared phrases in seven different languages. But for Leslie Calvin Brown, better known as Les Brown, it wasn’t a death sentence. It was a faith sentence.
The Diagnosis That Shocked Everyone
When Les Brown’s doctor, Dr. Alpha Golson discovered his Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) level, it was a staggering 2,400 ng/ml. For context, normal PSA levels are:
0 – 2.5 (men under 50).
0 – 3.5 (ages 50–59).
0 – 4.5 (ages 60–69).
0 – 6.5 (ages 70 and above).
Les was far beyond those numbers. Yet, today, his PSA is below zero — an unbelievable turnaround! How did he respond? With humor, hope, and unshakable faith.
Choosing Faith Over Fear
When his oncologist broke the news, Les responded: “Wow! Seven is my lucky number. I was born on February 17th. Joshua marched around Jericho seven times. Naaman dipped in the Jordan seven times. Seven is my lucky number!” Even in the face of a stage-four diagnosis and cancer that had spread to seven parts of his body, Les Brown chose to see possibility instead of panic.
His doctor concluded powerfully: “I determine the diagnosis. You and God determine the prognosis.”
PSA Reimagined: Positively Staying Alive
For Les, PSA didn’t just mean Prostate-Specific Antigen. It became a new declaration of faith:
PSA = Positively Staying Alive.
Every morning, he reminds himself of Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Not all things feel good — but faith looks for the good in all things.
The Power That Conquers the Impossible
Faith became Les’s medicine together with healthy diet, humor, and healthy habits.
Faith became his fight. Faith became his focus. Serving others more and well became is passion.
As 1 John 5:4 Amplified Bible says: “For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our (continuing, persistent) faith (in Jesus the Son of God).” And Romans 8:37 reminds us: “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
Hold Fast to Your Confession of Faith
Faith starts with the revelation of God’s Word (Romans 10:17) and ends with the manifestation of His promise (1 Peter 1:9 and Hebrews 6:12 and 11:2). In between, we are called to: Hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised). (Hebrews 10:23 KJV).
Les Brown is living proof of this truth. At 80 years old, he continues to inspire millions daily, reminding the world that faith still works and miracles still happen when you refuse to give up.
Key Takeaway: Faith Is the Antidote to Fear
When life announces bad news — faith rewrites the script.
When the world says, “terminal,” — faith says, “transformational.”
When fear says, “you’re finished,” — faith declares, “you’re favored.”
Les Brown just didn’t survive cancer. He conquered it by faith. And his story still says to us all: “Don’t just go through it — grow through it.”
