I decided to continue my story of healing with one that was physical. Read Part 1 to get the full scope of God’s amazing ability to heal in all aspects.
I’ve always believed in healing. I’ve taken people at their word when they’ve told me their stories of miraculous healing. I’ve just never experienced it myself. I think it’s easier to believe those things happen to other people. Well, God wanted to change that mentality.
A week before we were going to leave Swaziland, I woke up on a Saturday morning with a pounding headache and a tickling soreness in my throat. It was similar to an experience I had in Nepal where my sore throat lasted over a week before it cleared with antibiotics. Other people in my squad had experienced cold-like symptoms throughout the month in Swaziland but I hadn’t thought to take any preventative measures against getting sick myself. It progressed over the next two days to a boulder-sized swelling in my throat. Swallowing felt like shards of glass and knives in the back of my throat. My whole body ached. I took some vitamins and lots of cold medicine, but nothing changed. I asked God to heal me with the expectation that he would, but got discouraged Monday night when swallowing became an act of torture.
I cried to one of my teammates that I’m tired of the enemy attacking me and soon found myself hyperventilating, which only made my throat swell more. For a few minutes, I struggled to catch my breath while my teammate and I prayed against the attack. But it was more than a physical attack. The enemy invaded my mind with thoughts like “If you only had more faith, God would heal you right now.” I rebuked the thoughts and my teammate prayed that Holy Spirit would calm me. Soon, peace came over me – that peace that surpasses all understanding – and I could finally breathe.
I prayed and asked God why I was being attacked in such a way. He said that my body was reacting to my fear of change. I was anxious about team changes, which was inevitably going to happen after the month during debrief. I had fallen in love with everyone on my team and I was scared of leaving them. I had become comfortable. In that place, growth can become stagnate. While I wanted growth, I still fought against it. He told me this new team would help route out those things I despised in myself.
Then he reassured me that I do not have little faith. “Don’t believe the enemy’s lies,” He said. “You have so much faith! How else did you follow me on this race, giving up your job and home and comfort? That took faith!”
He went on to tell me how to seek healing:
“Beloved, call out your healing every minute, every time you think about the pain. Call it out! That’s how faith builds. That’s how I hear your prayers. Sometimes there are obstacles in the way of your prayers. Sometimes the enemy wants to keep you in pain so he sends his demons to fight against your prayers. Why else is he telling you that you have no faith? Because he wants you to think that it’s all your fault when it’s entirely his. Keep asking for healing. Claim it. You are already healed by my blood! Don’t let the enemy fool you. All it takes is a few words “I am healed by the blood of Jesus Christ.” Over and over. Let that be your meditation today. Let me show you how mighty my hand is. I can and will heal you, my beloved. You’ve already planted that seed of faith. Keep watering it with your prayers. Cast the devil out of your head. Cast his evil lies out of your mind. He’s the one keeping you from your healing.”
From that point on, I did as He said. Every time I swallowed, I thanked Him for healing me even when it felt like I was swallowing shards of glass. I shut down the enemy every time he tried to distract me with his lies. I meditated on Psalm 107:20, “He sent out his word and healed [me], and delivered [me]…”
I woke up Wednesday morning and my sore throat was completely gone! No more. I couldn’t believe it. I almost didn’t want to tell anyone because I was afraid it would come back for being too optimistic. But once I recognized that as another of the enemy’s lies, I rejoiced with my team. God had come through for me! Healing was not only for others and not only for the big things. Healing was for me and my sore throats.
God taught me that faith doesn’t look the same and that comparing your faith to another’s is futile. I lived out 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and experienced the fruit of it:
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (ESV)
What are you praying for? Post your prayer request in the comments or send an email to [email protected].
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