|
My family and I were called to walk through a deep dark
valley in the second half of 2004.
1 Cor. 4:20 tells “For the Kingdom
of God is not a matter of talk, but power.” When we pray we are asking
God to shine His Light and His Resurrection Power into the situation we
put before Him.
God does not promise we will have a
trouble free life, but He does promise He will never leave us, He will
never forsake us.
Towards the end of August
while I was dressing for Church, I collapsed and had a seizure. While I
was still convulsing, but coming out of the seizure I was aware I was by
myself with two closed doors between my husband and son who were
watching the Olympic Games on the television. I started to panic. In
my mind I called out to the Lord for help. I became aware of the
outline of a figure bending over me supporting my head and shoulders.
Ever so gently He said to me “Don’t be afraid, just go with it, I am
with you.” Psalm 46 begins with “God is our strength and refuge, an
ever present help in time of trouble.”
As from that moment I felt no
anxiety and no fear. I chose to put my trust in the Lord. I looked to
Jesus and believed He was in control of the situation.
The next day I was diagnosed with a
large brain tumour. It was calculated to have been there for anything
up to twenty years.
Later that week I had an
appointment with a Neurosurgeon, a wonderful man, I was medicated so I
would have no more seizures and booked into Hospital for an operation to
remove the tumour.
After I had taken the seizure I
decided to put living under Kingdom Principles into practice in a big
way. I believed Jesus died on the cross for my salvation, for my
forgiveness, for my infirmities, and by His wounds I was healed.
My prayer at that time and still is
taken from Philippians Chapter 4 “Rejoice in the Lord always….” I
continually asked the Lord to guard my heart and my mind with the love
of Christ, so I could not have any negative thoughts, or feel any
negative emotions, but for Him to give me His peace, the peace of God
that passes all understanding. And He did.
2 Thes. 5:16-18 tells us “Be joyful
always. Pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances, for this
is my will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I can truly say I had perfect
peace. I felt no fear, no anxiety. I conducted myself through the
power of the Holy Spirit with such calmness that can only come from Him.
Immediately after the diagnosis we
were obedient to he commands of the Lord in James. We called our Church
leaders so they were aware of the situation we were going through.
Prayer started immediately through the many Bible Study Groups.
Christian friends and family all over Australia were contacted and they
started to pray for me too. The Healing Ministry was contacted and
again prayer was started. Our local Prayer and Healing Team came to our
home and a wonderful, a powerful time was had with The Lord. I was
anointed with oil and given Psalm 103 to comfort and encourage me
throughout the ordeal I was passing through. A beautiful psalm and a
familiar psalm. A psalm given to me by a Christian Doctor many years
ago when I was facing a different surgery. God knew what a comfort that
psalm was to me, and I am so grateful and so thankful. “He forgives all
my sin, and heals all my diseases. He redeems my life from the pit, and
crowns me with love and compassion. He satisfies my desires with good
things, so my youth is renewed like the eagles. The Lord is faithful to
His promises. He has forgiven me, healed me, redeemed me, and given me
strength. Praise God!
That night I asked The Healing Team
to pray for Terry my husband, he was finding it overwhelming knowing his
strength did not lie with hospital visiting. God through the power of
His Holy Spirit did a wonderful thing in Terry. He conquered his fear,
he was more than a conqueror. God is faithful to His promises. “My
grace is sufficient for you.” Terry was so strong, so loving, so
tender, so protective, so supportive throughout the ordeal we were going
through. I thank God for him. I praise the Lord for what He was able
to do in my husband.
I went into hospital in perfect
peace. The operation was successful. The tumour was benign. I was cut
from the right side of my forehead, through the top of my head and down
to my left ear. I was connected to tubes, drains and oxygen. Still the
peace of God that passes all understanding was with me. I gave praise
and thanks to Jesus because He was with me, never leaving me, never
forsaking me.
When I was taken up to the Ward I
had two black eyes, no speech except for a few words. I was very good
answering questions with “yes and no.” I could still think clearly, but
I had difficulty in processing my thoughts into speech. I did not
appreciate the negative talk from the doctors to my family. I knew God
was in control, and all would be well in Jesus. As they were talking I
was aware of a sheer curtain separating me from all that was being
said. God was with me, a very strong presence in times of trouble.
God graced me through His people.
He graced me through my husband, through my two beautiful daughters, one
of whom flew from Wagga where she was living with her family to be with
her father and me in our time of need. He graced me through my two
sons-in-laws who are so loving and supportive of both Terry and me. He
graced me through my grandchildren who were so loving and concerned. He
graced me through my son who is so supportive and concerned. He graced
me through our many friends who sent so many cards and letters of
encouragement. He graced me through my mother, brother and
sisters-in-law. He graced me through the ladies of our Church, who
supplied meals for six weeks. There was always a hot delicious meal, to
nourish us throughout my convalescence.
God graced me through His doctors
and medical staff. I know God could have healed me instantly, but He
chose to use the Medical Profession. I am so thankful and grateful for
modern technology.
He called so many people to pray
for us. He tells us in 2 Chron 7:14 “If my people who are called by my
name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from
their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their
sin and will heal.” He does hear our prayers and He does answer in the
way that He knows is best for us.
While I was in The Intensive Care
Ward He made me realize in a very real way how important our friends
are, and how important loving relationships are. Jesus came into the
World so we can be reconciled to each other, and reconciled to Him.
For a number of years we have been
praying that God would heal an agonising and debilitating pain at the
top of my leg. Immediately after the operation I was amazed to find the
pain there no more. He does answer our prayers.
My speech has been restored.
Praise The Lord!
My last MRI Scan showed no sign of
the tumour. Praise The Lord!
I can begin to drive again at the
end of February, six months after the seizure, not the twelve months as
I was originally told.
The Lord was truly our strength,
our shield, our portion, our strong tower, our deliverer, a very strong
presence in our time of trouble.
We give Him all The Honour, all the
glory, and all the praise. |
