In Time of Need

Dec 10, 2023 | by The Fellowship

 In the last couple of years, I have experienced the faithfulness of our God on three very challenging occasions.   All glory to Him Who is our very present help in time of need!

In July 2022, while planning my nephew’s graduation party, I began to feel excruciating pain on the right side of my chest.  I thought it was most likely something simple and made an appointment with my doctor.  He ordered a CT scan.

After the results were sent to the doctor, I received a telephone call informing me that something had shown up in my lung.  Further investigation was needed, and I was referred to a pulmonologist.  A series of tests followed. But a clear diagnosis was not evident.  As a result, I ended up seeing several specialists for their opinions. However, none of them could figure it out either, and I was definitely not getting better!

My appetite had disappeared, and I was losing weight.  Every morning, it took all my willpower to crawl out of bed.  The one bright spot was that all the specialists had assured me that this was not cancer. For that, I was immensely thankful to God. But with no suggested treatment and no quality of life, how would I ever be restored to health?

One day, I decided to completely turn my illness over to God. My plan was to use God’s promises in His Word to receive my healing, knowing in the depth of my heart that only God could make me whole again. I carved out a space in one of the rooms in my house as my place of dedicated prayer to my Lord.  There I would worship God, commune, and fellowship with Him, read and claim Scripture, and meditate on His wondrous invitation to come confidently before His throne of grace to receive mercy in my time of need (Heb. 4:16). Gradually, God cured me … and today I am a living witness of His healing and restoration!  Great is His faithfulness!

Several years ago, I discovered a growth on my back, a lump that obviously contained fluid or semi-solid material. Upon seeking medical help, I was told: “It is just a cyst and there is no cause for alarm as long as it does not hurt or has not burst.”  Because it made me uneasy, I had it checked regularly. But when I returned home from the Ladies Retreat in September, everything changed. The cyst began to swell and hurt.  Suddenly it burst, accompanied by pain, discomfort and some sort of pulling feeling.  Immediately, I went to the doctor and surgery was recommended. After I had the operation, the doctor confirmed it was benign. Praise God! Great is His faithfulness!

While healing from the surgery, I went for my yearly breast exam.  What a shock to be told I needed to come back for a biopsy because several masses that looked suspicious had been discovered in my left breast.

I am not going to lie!  It was a very difficult season for me and my family because of the lies the enemy kept on feeding me as I waited for the biopsy and then for the results that followed.

Once again, I had to turn to my Lord in another health crisis.  Where else is there to go for relief from tormenting thoughts and deliverance in time of need.  Clinging to my faith and centering my hope in Him, I searched the Scripture for Bible verses that spoke to my situation. I fasted from TV and every other thing that normally occupied my free time to focus on God alone. I also asked for prayers from our pastors and church friends.

The biopsy came out negative!  I am here to give all the glory and the praise to Him Who never slumbers nor sleeps, never leaves or forsakes!  Great is His faithfulness!

N. A.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
for his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 
Lamentations 3:22-23