A stranger walked up to me and gave me this heavy kite.
Do you not know? Have you not heard?The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earthDoes not become weary or tired.His understanding is inscrutable.He gives strength to the weary,And to him who lacks might He increases power.Though youths grow weary and tired,And vigorous young men stumble badly,Yet those who wait for the LORDWill gain new strength;They will mount up with wings like eagles,They will run and not get tired,They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:28-31
When I was 19 and in the hospital, a Methodist minister blessed me by introducing me to Isaiah 40:31. It soon became my life verse. It became God’s promise to me as I struggled with an unknown disease. In 2001, I learned that it was celiac, and I am able to control it through diet.
Unlike the celiac, when fibromyalgia was triggered in my body around 1995, I was unable to control the symptoms. Fibromyalgia is a savage condition. It zapped my energy, stole my memory, and smacked me with pain.
I went from one doctor to another, from pills to injections, from diet cures to supplement cures. I was sustained for awhile, but in 2010, I deteriorated to the point where my doctor wanted me to go on disability, but I refused. He then reduced my work week. I continued to get worse.
I prayed, I cried, I questioned, I read.
Father, I thought You had work for me to do in my job! I can’t do the work like I am.
Silence.
Okay, Father, I’ll resign myself to bed. You must want me to suffer graciously and be a testimony that way.
On Saturday, November 20, 2010, I gave up. I decided to resign from work.
On Sunday, Keith drove us to church. Head on the headrest, I turned my face toward him.
There’s that healing service tonight. Want to go?Sure.
No discussions followed.
Our church and another church sponsored the event; we were church leaders, so we went.
The praise music was incredible, and the Holy Spirit blessed the people tremendously.
The minister called for those with hearing problems to come forward for prayer. One of our friends came back crying … his deaf ear now heard.
The minister called for those with sight problems to come forward for prayer. One of our church members returned seeing perfectly, although she was scheduled for cataract surgery the following Tuesday.
When the minister called for those with chronic pain to go forward, Keith grabbed my arm and marched me right up to the front.
God used that man’s touch to pour His peace, His healing into me and onto Keith.
Five years ago today, the Lord worked a mighty miracle in my body and my spirit, confirmed a miracle by my doctor.
Five years ago today, I received a new life, a new freedom, a new peace, and new strength.
Four gifts God gave me on November 21, 2010
- New life. I told someone yesterday that I was always “pretty puny … until now.” I was limited by my sicknesses. Today, I am only limited by self-inflicted limitations. My God is limitless.
- New freedom. Since I was healed, God gave me the freedom to be bold about proclaiming His goodness, His works, and His promises. He has given me the freedom to recognize the works He is doing in others and the opportunities to point them to Jesus. My God frees me to be bold.
- New peace. The Lord’s healing filled me with His peace, a peace beyond understanding, a peace in the midst of the storm. My God pours out His peace.
- New strength. On January 1, 2011, just five weeks after the Lord’s healing, I ran on the beach flying a heavy kite that a stranger walked up to me and gave me a kite. Six months after the Lord’s healing, I climbed half-way up the Great Wall of China (half-way due to lack of time). My God restores strength.
God answers prayer in His timing. Wait upon the Lord expecting Him to act, and He will work wonders beyond your imagination in and through you.
My prayer
Father, thank You for answering the prayers of Your children. Thank You for working in our lives, for restoring our strength, pouring out Your peace, freeing us to be bold, and showing us our self-limiting attitudes. Bless these readers with Your healing touch that strengthens their lives, their dreams, and their intimacy with You. We love You, Lord.
This week, ask God to free you to be bold for Him.
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