In Sickness and in Health, God Will Never Leave Us

"God, You can heal me.  You have the power.  I will keep praying for Your healing and pleading upon Your power."  This has been my prayer, especially in the past couple of years.  I know He will heal me someday, but I think I still assume it will be when I leave this life to be with Him forever.  So do I really believe His power?  Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!

It's a good thing God's power does not rest upon my faith.  God is showing me His power lately, regardless of my lack of faith.  You can read more about the results of a second opinion on my health condition here.

My life has taken a dramatic turn and I must begin from an entirely different perspective.  I am still struggling with the same symptoms, but I trust God will give the physicians wisdom to find the solution. My blood tested positive for CMV infection, so now I will be returning to Kansas City for more extensive testing of my immune system, etc.

I don't know what the future will hold, but I know God has all power in His hands.  He can and will heal, but it will be in His time and way.  Whether or not He heals me sooner or later, He has given me this promise: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

So often in my life I have forgotten this promise, but thank God, He never forgets.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Whether in sickness or in health, He will never leave me or forsake me.  No matter what happens in my life, He will turn it to His glory and my welfare.

Why does God choose to physically heal some and not others?

What lessons have you learned through sickness?  Through healing?

Life is Full of Surprises

Life is full of surprises. We never know what is around the corner, do we?

Only seconds after I posted last week, I received a phone call from my husband's workplace. "Your husband has been in an accident."

My breathing froze as my heart thundered to my head. I pictured a mangled body and a smashed up truck until the man burst out, "But don't worry. He is ok except for his arm."

Whew! My husband took a tumble from the back of his truck trailer and ended up with a badly broken arm that required surgery and a plate. Though bad, we thank God it wasn't worse.

Next week we plan to travel to a pulmonary specialist for some appointments to get a second opinion concerning my chronic lung condition.

Life is overwhelming right now, but we will make it. God remains faithful and He will carry us through whatever comes our way.

Praising God in the Darkness

“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.’”  Job 1:21b NIV


When we give our hearts to God, Satan stamps with rage.  He never wants us to trust God and His purposes, let alone praise Him in the midst of devastating circumstances.

Satan stripped Job’s life to the marrow of the bone.  His possessions and livelihood down the drain.  Every one of his precious children, seven sons and three daughters, swept from this life with a whirlwind and a collapsed roof. 

Bowing down in his grief, Job tore his robe and shaved his head.  It hurt, oh so much.  But what did he do?  He acknowledged all he had was in God’s hands to give and to take.  He even went a step further and said, “May the name of the Lord be praised.”  

Job was further tested, and he lost his health.  Some of his friends arrogantly told him he must have some hidden sins that God is punishing him for.  But sitting in the ashes with painful sores, he cried, “I know my Redeemer lives.” 

Because our Redeemer lives, Satan was forced to retreat.  Because our Redeemer lives, Satan will never have the final victory with us either.  Because our Redeemer lives, we can learn to praise God even in the darkness.

© 2011 - Trudy Den Hoed

What losses have you experienced?

What was your lowest point of darkness?

What gave you hope?