The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners
[Isaiah 61:1]
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
[Jeremiah 29:11-12 NIV]
Alyssa from BarlowGirl was diagnosed with a disease, RSD, when 18, and was unable to walk. God showed her that he had a plan for her life. Isaiah 61 played a key role during this time. Eventually, God healed her completely from the RSD.
Read Video Transcript
ALYSSA BARLOW: Isaiah 61 really played a key role in my life, of God really showing me– ‘cause I never really believed God could have a plan for me. I don’t know, people say that in the church all the time, you know, Jeremiah 29.11, “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, plans to give you a future and a hope. I’ve heard that my whole life but for some reason I just didn’t really trust it, I guess. And the amazing part was I had gone through a time where I had been–when I was 18 I was diagnosed with a disease called RSD, and they told me, you know, you’ll never really walk normally again. It’s a chronic pain that spreads throughout your entire body and it’s kind of an incurable disease, and you pretty much just live with chronic pain the rest of your life and you’re on very, very heavy medication.
And I just remember kind of struggling with God at that time, just saying, you know, “You say you have all these great plans for me and yet why does this kind of stuff happen in my life, why in the world would I have to go through this if you are really a God that has great plans for me.” So I kind of began to shake my fist a little bit and say, “Well, then that’s not the kind of God I want to serve.”
During that season of me just kind of having to lay in bed pretty much all day long ‘cause I couldn’t do anything, God really began to just melt my heart and really just bring me to Him, and to show me that He had a great plan for my life, and to show me that His love really was all that I needed and that He really was going to give me great things. But a lot of that was His presence, you know was Him. And Isaiah 61 really played a key role in my life in, you know, what we’re called to do, of the calling of a believer and what we could be. You know, that we’re called to open blind eyes and set the captives free.
Through that I was miraculously healed by God through that time, and I began to really see that Isaiah 61 was true, that healing was still for today. That God still was a powerful God. That it wasn’t just Old Testament stuff, that this was truth of today and that Jeremiah 29.11 was actually truth as well, that God actually really does have amazing plans for all of us.
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on September 18th, 2007 and filed under Barlow Girl, Video Stories, Struggles.
October 11th, 2007 at 12:18 am
Thank you greatly for sharing your story. I have followed your music for quite some time now and had no idea how you struggled with that. I’ve been recently diagnosed with a strong case of Lymes disease, having battled it for over 8 yrs. I also have a sinus infection, strep in my brain, my body isn’t getting enough oxygen, and I am struggling to recover from an eating disorder so my immune system is very low, and I thus have a plethora of infections. God has been SO good in my life to finally reveal to my family what has been plaguing my body, and your testimony (both yours AND Rebecca’s) encourages me to never give up, to trust in God with ALL of me. He’s worked so many miracles in me before, and I know he’s right here with me on this journey to get well again and LIVE!! :)
October 15th, 2007 at 10:26 am
Alyssa, that’s an intense story — what an intense situation, being told at age 18 that you have a chronic (and painful) disease. Wow. Thanks for sharing how God comforted you and poured his love on you through Isaiah 61.
I loved what you said about God’s presence being enough. It’s hard for me to believe and trust that God’s loving presence could be enough for me, but somehow deep down I do sense that that’s true.
Anyway, thanks for that very beautiful and sweet reminder … thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Andy
February 15th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Alyssa,
This is an amazing testimony. I too have listened to your music for a while now, and I had NO clue that you struggled with this. You amaze me more and more everyday! Your and Rebecca’s testimonies have helped me so much. Thank You. I could never tell you how greatful I am to have your infulence in my life!
God Bless,
Julie (aka guitargirl93 on SP)
February 20th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Thank you Barlow Girl! I realy needed that,my older sister was diagnosed with Stress Compartment Syndrome and it is usually common with marathon runner but she has nver ran a marathon ever. My parents told me that God has a plan and a reason for this,but that never stpped me from asking “Why have you done this?” But if I that had never happened in my life I would not have the faith I wouldnt have the faith in God I have now.