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In illness, trusting in God

Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.

[Mathew 9:20-22 NIV]

Lisa J. says:

This is a story with the issue of blood and it hits hard, deep into my spirit. The past 9 months I underwent a gastric bypass surgery plus three more surgeries because complications occurred, and i am still having pains.

In Matthew 9:20-22, the woman was so desperate to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment - she knew that one touch would save her from this disease she had. It took tremendous faith and no matter what she had to do she was going to touch the hem of his garment. Even though she was being shunned and pushed away she still pressed through and when she finally touched the hem, Jesus turned and saw her and said, “Take heart daughter, your faith has healed you.”

So many times we lose track of who the great physician is and turn to modern medicine and instead of working our way through the crowd, we turn to the world for the answer instead of the the one who bore our sins and pain.

Even though we may not see the healing right now, God is healing us. Every day we must praise God and thank Him for His loving hand touching us and healing us. God loves us so much. He just wants us to have a child-like faith and know that He is healing us and through Him all things are possible. In the book of Acts, He makes the blind see and the lame walk and I believe He is still performing miracles today and wants to do a miracle in our lives today too.

Whether its healing your body, your marriage, or just putting your mind at peace, He can do it if we have faith and persevere. He will do all things because all things are possible through Him.

Story posted on Monday, January 18th, 2010 and is filed under Hope, Illness, Your Stories, God's Sovereignty. | 1 Comment »

God supplies all my needs!

And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs.

[Philippians 4:19 GNT]

Greg P. writes:

After my two near death experiences with brain and body damage that puzzles the two dozen doctors over this past ten of my 55 years, I have come to the place where I TOTALLY depend on our Lord in every way, shape and form!

With our income 300% less, we still live in a wonderful home, and my wife drives a nice van in her ministry and I stay at home after having driven 6000+ miles per month in my former business and ministry to poor and needy children.

Having read His Word through each year and doing a half dozen devotionals each night in bed (with my sleep and convulsion drugs taking effect) there is nothing to be less than happy for. I thank Him constantly for all my blessings and just being able to “do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Story posted on Friday, January 1st, 2010 and is filed under Hope, Illness, Praise, Your Stories. | No Comments »

Surviving Cancer Through God’s Word

And so my life is safe, and I will live to tell what the LORD has done.

[Psalm118:17 CEV]

Katrena writes:

In March of 2008 I was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 Ovraian cancer, I was given less than a week to live as it had matastized onto my colon and flattened it.

God told me though the Holy Spirit that his word was true and that I was not going to die. Then if felt like he wrapped me into his arms and carried me though everything that followed.

He provided me with an amazing surgeon, only 2 in the state I live in that would even attempt this type of surgery. After the surgery, my lungs quit working properly and filled up with fluids, my husband laid hands on me and they started draining.

I was told later that they were within 24 hours of putting a permanent trach in me. My kidneys quit working and my pastor laid hands on me and they started again. After a month in the hospital I got out and another Oncologist told me I was still going to die from this.

God said all you have to do is believe my word is true and live. I am now cancer free and able to spread the word that Jesus died for us, we do not have to die for something that the devil is the creator of. I shall live and tell anyone who will listen and believe that you do not have to die from any illness.

Jesus paid the price for us.

Story posted on Thursday, May 28th, 2009 and is filed under Illness, Bible, God's Love, Hope, Praise, Your Stories, Grace, God's Sovereignty, Struggles, Evangelization, Life Verse. | 3 Comments »

Finding Faith In the Darkest Storm

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

[James 1:12 NIV]

Marianne writes:

The bible says that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Yet each day brings with it problems and trials that sometime make it difficult to trust in the sovereignty of God. God will reward those who can still trust him in the darkest storm. We were bought at a price by the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross and his unfailing love is strong enough to bring us to victory in every area of our lives if we only believe.

The strength that we need is always near when Christ lives in us. It is by his power that we fight the battles of this world and to even face death without fear. This is a promise of Jesus but there are trials which may make it difficult to believe. But through the faith of a member of my church, Don, many were able to witness how God is able to keep in peace those who put their trust in him.

Don is a wonderful family man and father of four. He volunteers to teach the Royal Ranger boys group at the church and he drives the church bus to pick up children who have no other way to get to church. He is always willing to help as he considers it a joy to reach others with the love of Jesus Christ. He is a true example of faith in action.

That is why our congregation was stunned some months ago when we heard that Don had been diagnosed with terminal, inoperable cancer of the brain. It was a shock not only to us but his wife Kathy and their children were brought to their knees at the thought of losing Don. The doctors told Don and his family that nothing really could be done for him. That diagnosis was backed up by other experts and he was given approximately six months to live. He was in the darkest storm of his life.

Although Don was shaken by the diagnosis, he chose to walk in unwavering trust in Christ. He continued his work with the Royal Rangers and attended church every Sunday, always praying for others. He kept his smile and to look at him, you would never know what he was going through. He professed an unrelenting faith believing that the peace of God would sustain him no matter what the outcome. He knew that death could not destroy him but only release him to be with his Savior. As our church prayed night and day for him, the peace that Don had began to fill us all.

Although we may never understand the ways of God, one thing is perfectly clear. He has a plan for our lives and nothing in this world can stop him from fulfilling all that he has promised. A couple of months ago, Don went to have a scan to check on the status of the cancer. After reviewing the films several times, the doctor was baffled. Not only was the cancer gone, but the doctor had a hard time finding where it had been! This incurable, inoperable cancer was now gone from Don’s body and we knew that the power of God had just been manifested before our very eyes.

For reasons that we do not understand, not everyone is healed on this earth. However, we still have the peace that surpasses understanding knowing that God has promised believers that we can never be destroyed and that his love will bring us through every storm. If you can keep your eyes on Christ and trust that he will not fail you, you also will be filled with the calm assurance that he will provide all that you need to get through the battle you are in. Remember that Christ who lives in you will always be greater than anything that comes against you.

Story posted on Saturday, November 29th, 2008 and is filed under Illness, Hope, Praise, Your Stories, Christian Families, Prayer, Grace. | 1 Comment »

The Doctors Did Not Know My God

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.”

[Daniel 3:17 NIV]

Christopher writes:

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had it right on how to pray to God. They knew God was quite capable of deliverance, yet God’s will is sovereign. Therefore they didn’t anticipate the outcome, but trusted God’s will is good.
In June of 2007, I left for work after a long weekend of sleep. I was too embarrassed to seek medical help thinking I had a severe case of gingivitis. My legs were bruised, yet I did not feel bad. On the way to work, I spun out in a median two times. It just seemed like a clumsy action, and I thought little of it. I arrived at work and my boss looked at me and said, you’re too sick to be here, go home.

I went home unsure if I’d been fired or if my boss really saw something. I called my wife and she rushed home to take me to the doctor. The doctor ran blood tests and confirmed his suspicions. I have Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The doctor made arrangements with the Markey Cancer Center and I was rushed there by ambulance. Apparently I’d lost 2/3rds of my blood, had suffered several strokes which caused a subdural hematoma (bleeding in the brain). Immediate brain surgery was needed, yet my blood was in such poor condition the surgery was a tremendous risk. Doctors placed my survival below 1% and questioned whether surgery was even justified. The doctors told my family to say their final goodbyes, that I most likely would not survive.

In just a few short hours I went from thinking I had gingivitus to what appeared to be the grave. I had maybe 20 minutes alone with my wife, and to be quite honest, I’d already decided I was dead. I asked her to pray with me that ‘God’s will be done’ through this. That God could deliver me if He so choosed, yet if He did not, it changed nothing.
There is so much to tell and so little space to tell it. I underwent the brain surgery, chemotherapy, treatment for blood infections, and any number of things that in themselves could have killed me. It was God’s will that I survived. I am now 1 complete year in remission. The prognosis is good. Life in the furnace was not so bad. I am a better person and my faith is ever so more increased. The doctors counted me dead, they did not know my God.

Story posted on Sunday, October 26th, 2008 and is filed under Illness, God's Love, Hope, Praise, Your Stories, Struggles, Verses, God's Sovereignty. | 2 Comments »

I Can Trust God With My Health

“Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.”

[Psalm 112:1 NIV]

Tina writes:

I have always been happy, healthy, and positive with an always present smile. Laughing for me is like a second language. “Why in the world is my foot not working properly all of a sudden?” I asked myself. It has started very gradually to the point where I had to get rid of all my high heel shoes! I figured that it will all be normal again as soon as this ankle “sprain” would heal. But why was I experiencing an ankle sprain when I never remember hurting myself to begin with? Where did it all start from? One day, out of the blue my whole right side started shaking violently all on its own. I was trying hard to stop it, but my commands went unheard… My boyfriend took me to the emergency room and the Doctor said not to worry – “You’re just experiencing an anxiety attack!” Phew! That was weird, but what a relief! I went home and lived happily ever after — until it happened again, and again and again – for about a year!

I found out October last year that there was a tumor in my brain and it was causing me to have seizures not “anxiety attacks” like the doctor put it! I had the operation on November 3rd 2006.

They operated and took out the tumor –as much as the Doctor could without leaving me a vegetable. …..Soooo, this type of tumor is called Astrocytoma - which means it’s in the form of a “star”. I was in the hospital for 10 days with a couple of them chilling in the ICU drugged up on morphine! Remember, I told you that I like to smile and laugh a lot? Yeah… the morning right before my surgery I was making jokes and laughing with everyone around there… I bet the doctors were like: “what in the world is wrong with her??! We’ll definitely be “fixing” that!”

Even though on the outside I was making jokes and laughing, I was sure scared to death! When they began operating….my brain started to tickle really badly!! Well, they must have cut a few of my nerves though because after it was all said and done, I could not feel or use the right side of my body at all!! And I mean the WHOLE right side. It seemed like I was cut in half! There were juuuuuust a FEW things I couldn’t do all by myself anymore… like feed myself, wash, dress, put make-up on, going on field trips to the bathroom, walk - but who needs these things anyway?! I kind of had to learn from scratch again by retraining my brain to do those things… After all, a piece of my brain is missing! The doctor told me that I will NEVER get my feeling back! Yeah, that sucked to hear, but it was not as bad comparing to hearing for the first time the news that I have terminal cancer…Grade 4 — to be sure! Not sure if you know anything about these cool things… but it’s supposed to be the last stage… Would you think that this may be the WORST type to be bestowed with??

Well, before leaving– after my 10 days vacation in the hospital, I asked my Doctor how much longer do I have until I died? In the middle of my jokes and giggles, He said ONE year!

When I got home, I realized that I was really in trouble! I mean, I couldn’t do jack! My sister had to help me with everything!! And I mean everything. Thank God for such a great sister!!! She even moved to GA for me! She lived in VA Beach and she left the beach for me! I also decided that it was best for both me and my boyfriend to separate ways so I can really concentrate on being closer to my family and getting better… so I moved back to GA to live with her.

Well, all this time I thought I was going to die! But I stayed positive and acted like I didn’t have cancer. I went through the whole radiation…and lost all my hair! I had very thick, long and healthy hair. OHHHHHHH how I miss it! But now I see it’s growing back. Thank God! Don’t worry I don’t go around scaring people with my sexy bold head. My sister tells me all the time that it’s impossible for me to look ugly… “You just can’t hide BEAUTY” she says.

I’ve also been taking chemotherapy which makes me really sick and feel like poop! But now it’s only 5 days out of a month- instead of every day. This will last for one year of pure bliss! After that, we’ll see what the Doctor decides…

Well, a few months have passed since the surgery and now I’m soooooo much better… Looking at me, you’d never believe it – unless I took my wig off and showed you the lovely scar! Now I can thankfully say that I can do everything on my own. There is still a little “pimp walk” left, that I’m trying to improve by exercising it every day. My sister’s house has stairs, and even though I was worried in the beginning, it turned out to be a blessing because it really “forced” me to really use and exercise it!

My right side has improved tremendously even though the Doctors told me I’ll never be able to use it. In fact they said I should have been a veggie and also never be able to talk right! Well, I can still speak both Romanian and English! Ha! I showed them!! They were all amazed!

I went to the doctor 2 weeks ago and had an MRI done. Everything looked alright!!!!!!! The cavity in there looked pretty healed and there was no more swelling. THANK YOU JESUS!

Well, it seems that the world is going to be stuck with me for a lot longer than whatever the crazy Doctors said! And here’s a word to the wise: I wouldn’t “completely” trust them if I were you – just in case you’ll ever have to deal with them… Have faith and believe that God is greater than all of them put together and He can do miracles in your life! May your heart be full of sunshine – today and always!

Story posted on Sunday, September 14th, 2008 and is filed under Hope, Illness, Praise, Your Stories, Life Verse. | 1 Comment »

Superchick: The Bible's Help in Times of Crisis

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

[Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)]

Matt Dally of the Christian band Superchick talks about his mother’s battle with cancer, and how Philippians 4:6-7 helped him through the difficult time.

Story posted on Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 and is filed under Bible, Superchick, Illness, Video Stories, Verses, Struggles. | 1 Comment »

Thank God for Trials

… give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

[1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV]

Jerome T. writes:

Trials are common occurrences, and God’s children are not exempt. Psalms 34:19 tells us, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

There are many times when I cannot change my circumstances, but I have learned two things: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1), and I do have a choice about how I respond.

I can become depressed and angry; I can blame God. There have been many times when I have asked: “God, why is this happening to me; don’t You know I deserve better?”

God got my attention when I was faced with a series of trials, starting with my wife being diagnosed with breast cancer.

I realized my bad attitude was consuming me like cancer was consuming her. I had head knowledge of some Scriptures dealing with trials, but they had not become a heart experience.

After each trial, I could look back and see how it had been a blessing in disguise. All things really had worked together for my good, as stated in Romans 8:28. I was ashamed to keep asking God to forgive me for my initial responses, which were never according to Scripture.

Over a period of months, my loving heavenly Father patiently performed “surgery” on me, removing the cancer in my heart. My bad attitude slowly turned into gratitude as I came to a better understanding of these verses.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4).

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears (Psalms 34:4).

I can now thank God for cancer!

I’ve actually written a book, THANK GOD FOR CANCER!, in which I share how God used the Bible and trials to transform my life and marriage.

Story posted on Monday, March 31st, 2008 and is filed under Bible, Hope, Illness, Praise, Your Stories, Verses. | 2 Comments »

I Refuse Sickness and Disease

And the Lord will take away from you all sickness, and none of the evil diseases of Egypt which you knew will He put upon you, but will lay them upon all who hate you.

[Deuteronomy 7:15 Amplified Bible]

Margaret R. writes:

Though physical ailments may attempt to penetrate my body, the numerous promises in God’s Word proclaim that I do not have to receive the doctor’s report since the Lord, at Calvary, took my sickness and carried my diseases.

In January 2002, a standard mammography revealed a suspicious lump. Though the doctors discussed the possibility of cancer, I clung to the aforementioned scripture with the knowledge that I would never know the evil diseases of Egypt.

Whenever fear would arise, I would speak the Word aloud, and remind the Lord of His promises. Ultimately, a biopsy revealed the lump as completely benign.

Other attacks have come since that time, but as always, I have steadfastly adhered to God’s Word. He is faithful - completely so - and desires for His people to believe Him - literally and without hesitation. That I have done and will do for the rest of my life.

Story posted on Monday, January 21st, 2008 and is filed under Hope, Bible, Illness, Praise, Your Stories. | 2 Comments »

Sean Smith: Cancer God’s Plan? (3:28)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

[Romans 8:28 NIV]

Sean Smith shares about losing his mom to cancer. While he believes in Romans 8:28, he questions whether his mom’s death was part of God’s plan. A good encouragement for anyone dealing with terminal illness.

Story posted on Friday, December 21st, 2007 and is filed under Sean Smith, Illness, Video Stories, Christian Families, God's Sovereignty. | 4 Comments »