The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

Twelve years ago today, God miraculously healed me of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. An adventurous walk began.

Pain, brain fog, fatigue, depression, confusion, and many pills filled my fibro days and nights for about 15 years. I asked “Why, Lord? I thought You had plans for me to serve You.”

God did have plans. They just weren’t my plans. Have you been there?

The pain brought me closer to God as I sat on the couch reading the Psalms in the early morning hours.

The pain made me more dependent upon my loving husband and brought me closer to him.

The pain was apparent to my family, coworkers, and doctors. It prepared them for the miracle they would see.

The pain helped me understand others’ pain … physical, mental, and emotional.

The pain was a blessing in disguise.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4 (ESV)

God was testing [proving] me, AND He was equipping me for the next chapter of my life. He was preparing me to walk, sometimes run, and often climb. I couldn’t imagine the adventures He had planned for me.

One month after God healed me, my doctor declared it a miracle.

On January 1, 2011, I attended a kite festival, and a stranger came up to me, “Would you like this kite?”

“You’re giving me your kite?” He nodded.

Unraveling the heavy kite, I wondered how I would be able to get it in the air. Several tries later, the kite rose, and I ran on the beach lifting the kite and praising God.

I was running! God had begun the adventure.

I hadn’t been able to help my husband, Keith, when he took students on study abroad trips because of the fibromyalgia – but that hindrance was gone now.

Six months after the Lord healed, I watched our students climb up the Great Wall of China, and I followed them. I climbed those steep steps. The bus was scheduled to leave, so I only climbed halfway. With fibromyalgia, I would have been able to climb only a few steps.

Numerous study abroad trips followed, along with stairs and miles of walking. With each study abroad trip, the Lord opened the door for us to share Him with the students. Some have become our “adopted sons and daughters.”

This blog was an outgrowth of the Lord’s healing, and God has blessed me with contacts throughout the world. In fact, we returned from Italy a few weeks ago. There we met a missionary couple that I met through the blog. What a blessing to meet them in person, pray with them, and share meals with them.

Steps? Stairs? Yes.

I didn’t take a photo of the 77 stair steps from the B&B to the beach. Steps are so common for us now. Little did we know that our B&B hosts would also become our friends and that we would be able to pray with them.

God is so good! His divine appointments never cease to amaze me.

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Then there are the 140 stair steps from the Sorrento city center to the waterfront. No photo of the stairs, sorry.

The physical adventures have been exhilarating, but the spiritual adventures have surpassed the physical ones.

Twelve years of remembering God’s work in my body and praising Him. I created a tie-dye kite and hung it in the bathroom as a reminder of God’s healing touch. The cross punctuates its very center.

Before the healing, God was working our lives, and I thank Him for the amazing journey we’ve had with Him.

He prepared Keith and me for the 15 years of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue through tough challenges.

He made our marriage when we lived in the Philippines.

He protected us in the midst of terrorism when we lived in Italy.

He moved with us when Keith was assigned to different Air Force bases.

And He opened new opportunities when Keith retired.

Yet, November 21, 2010 was a turning point. It made me bolder to proclaim God’s good works. To family. To coworkers. To neighbors. To strangers.

I’m looking forward to the next adventure God has for us.

Jehovah Rapha, You are the great Healer. You know just what we need and when we need it. I praise You for what You have done in my life and in the lives of Your people. I praise You for what You are doing, and what You have planned to do. You have poured out Your love and blessings upon Your followers. You have walked with us and given us peace. Empower us to bless and honor You in all that we think and do. In Your dear Son’s name, Amen.

Please share how God has worked in your life.

Related Links

Healed – 11 Years Later

9 Years Healed – 9 Lessons Learned

Blue Letter Bible – Karen Roberts’ Story