When you’re going through a trial, sometimes it feels like you’re in a storm that will last forever and it can be easy to get discouraged. In 2010, I was hospitalized for asthma for three days. I went into the hospital on November 11th and then was released on my birthday, November 14th. Then two years later, I repeated the same thing all over again; I went into the hospital on November 11th and was released again on November 14th. I said Lord, whatever I am supposed to learn from this, please help me to learn it.
I have struggled with feeling very tired for many years. Most of the time, it just felt like too much to do much house work, so I just did the basics and let the rest go. I stayed home most of the time because I didn’t have the energy or desire to even get ready to go to town. Recently, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (it makes you low and slow, can cause depression, etc.). I have started medication, but I feel like I still have a long way to go to get my energy level to where it needs to be.
At the end of May 2021, my husband was having so much pain in his feet and body that we didn’t know if he was going to be able to work any longer. The doctor took x-rays and found out that he had arthritis in his spine, hips and knees and the cushion in his hips was so thin, it was almost bone on bone. After two months of barely being able to walk, we found out he had gout in his feet and through herbal remedies and a change of diet, his feet got much better, so he was able to work again, praise the Lord.
I have prayed for others who have been instantly healed and I have been instantly healed myself a couple of times (from the flu). But, it seems that some things God allows us to walk through, in order to build empathy, compassion and character in us. I remember reading that Smith Wigglesworth (1859-1947), who was a British Evangelist, and a wonderful man of faith that God used to heal many others, suffered from kidney stones. It was reported that he prayed for others, while wearing trousers that were stained with blood. He told the Lord, “You might as well go ahead and heal me, because I’m not going to the doctor.” Eventually, he passed the kidney stones and was okay.
The Apostle Paul recorded that because he was given so many revelations from God, the Lord also allowed him to have a “thorn in the flesh.” II Corinthians 12:7-9 says: 7 And to keep me from being puffed up and too much elated by the exceeding greatness (preeminence) of these revelations, there was given me a thorn (a splinter) in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to rack and buffet and harass me, to keep me from being excessively exalted. 8 Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me; 9 But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! (AMP)
Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that Jesus also suffered and was tempted in order that He might become a faithful and merciful high priest: 15 For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. (AMP)
1 Peter 5:10 tells us that trials don’t last forever, there does come a turning point and a time of restoration: 10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. (New Living Translation)
I know there has been a lot of sickness and death and this has been a hard season for many. I just want to encourage everyone today, if you are going through a trial, God promised He will not allow it to be more than you can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13), it won’t last forever, there will come a time of restoration, and He will be with you through it all. Many times, it seems that the light of God’s presence shines strongest in our lives when we are walking through a dark season. May God bless and keep you all.
In Christ —Kelly Rowe
A Deeper Walk 