
Hello friends and family. Today is January 6th, 2021. Nine years ago today, on January 6th, 2012, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. It is not the kind of anniversary a person typically celebrates, but it is an opportunity for me to give praise to God for His faithfulness in my life.
I don’t typically write a post this late, but I had a dentist appointment today to get two old silver fillings taken out. My face is still numb, which is funny as I type this. There was also a lot going on in our country today, and I spent time preaching the truth on Twitter. The Lord also opened a door to share the Gospel with an unbeliever this morning, which was awesome. Please pray for a girl named Milly. She asked great questions, and it is clear the Lord is drawing her to Himself.
The last nine years has been a huge learning experience for me. I was 33 when I was diagnosed. I am 42 now. There were times that I suffered torturous pain for many years. Many of you may remember a recent time in November when I was suffering badly again, and I appreciate you all praying for me. I am doing much better now, praise God!
All of these years have also been filled with great comfort and healing from the Lord. Through it all, I want you all to know that God has been so very faithful to me, and I give Him praise for all He has done to sustain me and lift me up! Jesus has never left my side, and He has given me great strength to endure this disease. The main truth I have learned is that His grace truly is sufficient for me.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
-2 Corinthians 12:9-10
From the miracle the Lord did to save my life when I stopped breathing on 4-28-2012 to this very moment, God has shown me His great power and love through all my suffering. There were so many times that I wanted to give up, but the Lord would never give up on me. He always strengthens me and lifts me up by the power of His Holy Spirit! Indeed, if it wasn’t for His power in me I would not have made it this far. Truly, just as Paul said, when I am weak, then I am strong!
There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about the day I died. I will never forget Jesus comforting me, telling me “It’s okay,” and putting me back in my body in the powerful wind of the Holy Spirit! It was incredible and amazing, and it gives me great strength to press on! We have nothing to fear in Jesus! He will be right there waiting for us when it’s our time to go, and there will be no more pain! He wipes it all away and we will be in perfect peace with the Lord forever!
I want to encourage all of you who are suffering chronic illness, disease, and pain to give it all to Jesus and rest in Him. I know it is hard and I know how bad it can hurt, but please never give up. There is a purpose in our pain. Sometimes it is to refine us, and sometimes it is to minister to others, and many times we don’t understand, but the Lord will see us through it all. His Word promises that He works everything out for the good of those who love Him. When you believe in Jesus, you can trust that He has your life in the palm of His hand, and He will never leave you nor forsake you. After nine years of suffering, I can testify to that truth with all my heart.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
-Romans 8:28
There is so much I could talk about regarding my suffering, but I want this post to be short and sweet. My eyes are fixed on Jesus, and I give Him praise for all He has done in my life! He has been so gracious and merciful to me, and I am so thankful to have survived this disease! Thank You, Lord, for Your great love and encouragement that You shower me with every day! Thank You for lifting me up and never giving up on me! Through all the pain and even through times I have been angry and difficult to deal with, You just keep on loving me, and I am forever grateful! You deserve all glory and praise forever and ever!
“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are
his;
we are his people, the sheep of his
pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his
name.
For the LORD is good and his love
endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all
generations.”
-Psalm 100:1-5
May my suffering be a testimony of God’s unending love and faithfulness to His people. May He use me for His glory as He sees fit, and may I serve Him in a way that is pleasing to Him! We are only on this earth for a short time, and my prayer is that my life will bring Him praise, honor, and glory. May Your Holy will be done Lord, amen and amen!
I love you all! Thank you for praying for me! Thank you all for the encouragement and love you have shown me during all my suffering. You have blessed me more than I can express in words. God is so very good to us. May we always bless His Holy Name no matter what may come our way! Give it all to the Lord and trust Him for He is good and His love endures forever!
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.”
-Psalm 107:1
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his
name;
make known among the nations what
he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the
LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.”
-Psalm 105:1-4
Keep loving Jesus, trust in Him, rest in Him, and never give up!
Grace and peace to you all!