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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: DISGUISE (08/12/21)
Oftentimes a combination of grey skies, steady drizzling rain and a soft chilly breeze can produce a gloomy, depressive mood. Sitting by the window, Loretta felt just that. Neither the streaming cup of coffee in her hand, nor the open Bible on her knee seemed to lift her spirits. She had been reading the story about the miraculous healing of the blind man. (Gospel of John.9 : 1-38). Her thoughts went back to a few months ago when she had been diagnosed with cancer. She had prayed on her knees with fasting and tears for a miraculous healing without surgery. She would declare God' s wonderful answer to her prayer and glorify His name. God didn't answer her prayer and she had to undergo that surgery.

Why didn't God answer her prayer ? Was it wrong to desire to praise God for answered prayer ? Was she not a good Christian ? Did she need more faith ? Was she unworthy to be used by God ? Despite all her confusing thoughts Loretta kept her faith - she read her Bible, prayed and went to church regularly. But her feeling of unworthiness never left her. After service she would stay and pray and ask God to use her to serve Him.

One day as she sat praying in church, she heard a muffled sob. The church was almost empty. She looked around and saw her. In the pew behind her she saw a woman sitting. Her head bowed, and her hands covering her face she was silently crying. Loretta hesitated for a moment said a prayer and went over to the woman. She sat beside her and put her arm around the woman's shoulder. The woman stopped crying and looked at her and said,
" That's what a asked for, His healing touch. But, no, I have to have the surgery. I am so scared of the knife. O dear God, where are You ?"
" My dear, I had the same experience. I did pray too, " said Loretta.
"And what happened ? Did God cure you ?".
"Yes, He did. But only after the operation. As I talk to you today I know He was with me all through the operation guiding the surgeon's hands. He has restored my health. And He will do it for you too. Trust Jesus, for He is the divine healer. Come let us pray." And they prayed together and thanked God .

That night as she knelt beside her bed, Loretta thanked God for not curing her without surgery . He had answered her prayer in His own way. His denial to her request was indeed a blessing in disguise. He had found her worthy to be a witness not to the ones who had been healed without surgery, but to the ones who had to go through that experience. That was what was important - to serve God according to His will and not according to ours.





( The name is fiction, but the story is true.)
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This article has been read 279 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Noel Mitaxa 
08/20/21
You have skillfully and sensitively touched on an issue that causes many believers to struggle.
Without moving too far into preacher mode, in Mark 2:17, Jesus says that the sick need a doctor, and Luke is described as the beloved physician in Colossians 4:14 - not as one who didn't have enough faith to let go his medical practice.

Healing takes many forms, with many reasons why it may not come as we expect, but it comes down to trusting in God, and not trusting in how much faith we have.

Time to stop, if I preach any more, I might have to do something religious - like take up an offering ;-)
Holly Westefeld
08/20/21
Thank you for sharing your personal experience of how prayer does not necessarily change our circumstances, but when we persist, how it changes us.
Bea Edwards 
08/22/21
Both Noel and Holly's comments sums up your entry so well, I have nothing to add, except a thank you for sharing your encouraging experience with God's faithfulness.
Laura Manley
08/25/21
This is a very moving entry. You did a wonderful job in presenting to your audience. The only thing I would suggest is that you proof carefully before submitting. You needed to paragraph and there were some punctuation needed. But that doesn't take away from the wonderful job you did on this entry. God bless!