I just got back from my 10 day training camp in Georgia and all I have to say is …wow. In the next few weeks, you’ll get to hear numerous stories of the miraculous ways that God has worked through me and the other World Racers. But to start off, I want to share with you the story of how God healed me.
As some of you know, I’ve struggled with heart issues for about 4 years now. Despite numerous doctor visits, more heart monitors than I can count, and surgery, there hasn’t been a resolution to this problem. My heart has continued to beat irregularly and at a super high rate (up to 220 BPM). This typically happens at least of 5 times a day. I tend to have more episodes during exercise, high heat, high humidity, and times of intense adrenaline. So, naturally, training camp in Georgia in July made me very nervous.
Our family decided to take a mini vacation to the Wisconsin Dells before I headed down to Georgia. At one point, I had decided for myself that the Lord was going to heal me at Training camp. That there would be this awesome moment where everybody laid hands on me and I was miraculously healed. In reality, the Lord had different plans for me. While out kayaking on Lake Delton, I realized that this didn’t have to be a big ordeal. I didn’t have to have this huge crying moment in order to be healed because the God that works in those big moments is the same God that works in the stillness of my quiet times.
While out on that kayak, I just prayed over and over, “Lord, I truly believe that you can and that you will heal my heart”. That became my daily prayer. I entrusted this situation to God instead of trying to keep it in my own hands or look to doctors for help.
The weeks went on and I didn’t feel anything. Anything, guys. Prior to this, I would often be paranoid of my heart issues during times that my heart rate was increased, but I didn’t even think about it. It was no longer something on my mind because it was no longer an issue.
At training camp, there’s a fitness hike that is required for every Racer. Its 2.2 miles in 38 minutes while wearing our 50 pound backpacks. In the 100° degree. Up and down hills. Running. Yeah. Intense.
As the hike approached, I felt myself getting more and more worked up. I knew that this hike had all of the factors of a typical heart issue. Adrenaline, heat, elevation change, humidity. Just before we started, I broke down crying because I was so nervous for it. My squadmates came around me and prayed over me. The whole time I was hiking there were leaders and trainers praying over safety and healing for me.
Let me tell you, I didn’t have a single issue with my heart.
I say with full confidence that I’ve been healed though the power of prayer. My God loves me enough to take care of my physical needs as well as my spiritual ones.
As I reflected on this situation, a song by Mercy Me popped into my head. The lyrics say:
“I know You’re able and I know You can. Save through the fire with Your mighty hand. But even if You don’t, my hope is You alone.”
My question to you is: What’s holding you back from trusting in the Lord? What’s that thing that you’ve been holding on to because you don’t think that the Lord can free you from it?
Release it to Him because He’s able and because He loves you.
