Sunday, August 5, 2012

With God, Nothing Is Impossible

Many, many years ago, I was diagnosed of that dreadful disease, the big C- Cancer. I went under the knife and everything went well after that. But 2 years later, I had a relapse. The cancer came back and it was inflamed! I had to undergo radiation and chemotherapy. I was so depressed. I felt like heaven and earth had closed on me. To have a cancer is like having a death sentence. I cried and cried until there were no more tears to shed. There was fear in my mind that I was going to die soon like my mom who died of breast cancer. I knew very well that cancer has no cure and the therapies I had did no good to me. They just worsened what I felt because of the side effects. Chemo is worst than the cancer itself. It made me very weak and thin and I can't eat and I can't sleep. I can't sit down for straight 5 minutes and when I lie down, I just can't breath. I really felt that I was going to die. My hair fell out and my nails were blackish due to chemo. My immune system was very weak that time. I asked forgiveness of my sins from my family and especially from the Lord because I felt that I would not live any longer. In case the Lord calls me home anytime, then I would be ready to face Him. I knew I was heaven bound because I had accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

During those times that I was battling the big C, I had many prayer warriors. My church family was praying for me. During Sundays and also during prayer meetings, I was the subject of their prayers for one month. Some pastor friends had visited me and prayed for my healing. My family and I prayed very hard because we believe in miracles. Day and night I cried to the Lord for my healing. I believe in my heart that with God there is nothing impossible. That was the time that I exercised my faith in the sovereign power of God. During those nights that I can't sleep, I went down on my knees for many hours, crying, praying and pleading to God for my healing. I said to the Lord that I know all people are going to die and if it's His will to call me home then I'm ready but if it's His will that I will live then He will heal me. With prayer, supplication and thanksgiving, I pleaded to the Lord to extend my life. I made a covenant with Him. I had also claimed His promises in the Bible like "Ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find" Mathew 7:7, "I am the Lord that healeth thee" Exodus 15:26, "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mar 11:24, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" Hebrew 13:5. These verses, I said it back to Him and the Lord honored His WORD. Slowly, I gained back my strength and my health. Jesus has healed me! He is really the God of miracles! He restored me physically. The good Lord had showed me that there is no problem too big for God's intervention and there is no person too small for God's attention. Satan wanted to defeat me and be angry with God and to give up my faith in Jesus but He did not succeed. JESUS CHRIST is my Healer.

Now I am a living testimony of how the good Lord has worked in my life and He really answers the prayers of His children. My prayer warriors and I were victorious. Cancer has a cure and it's faith in Jesus Christ. He is the greatest physician. What happened to me was a test of faith. When everything else failed, I turned to Jesus. I unloaded all my burdens to Him. Man's knowledge is limited, what is impossible to man is possible to God. I didn't get angry with God, instead I considered my affliction as a blessing in disguise because my faith in Jesus Christ became stronger. Maybe if my faith in Him was weak and wavering, cancer would have knocked me down 6 feet under the ground. I believed that God had allowed this thing to happen so I would be closer to Him more than ever and to depend on Him and trust in Him when things become confusing.

The trial in my life didn't end there. Satan tried to defeat me again in another area of my life and that was my love life. My boyfriend of 4 years had joined a cult religion. He was brainwashed just by watching it on TV everyday (Ang Dating Daan). Later he attended their church, studied their doctrines and was baptized. He then wanted me to join him there. I asked what are their doctrines and I got the shock of my life when he told me about it. It was the first time that I heard of a religion that don't believe in the doctrine of original or inherited sin and they don't believe in the Holy Spirit either. They are not allowed to eat during any occasion if the celebrant belongs to another religion. Also their false teacher was very arrogant, cursed on TV, had twisted the meaning of the verses in the Bible. His members were blind followers and that included my boyfriend. I said to myself there's no way that I will join that cult religion. My BF and I began having arguments regarding our opposing beliefs. He said he's the man and I should follow him. Our once smooth relationship became sour. We often had arguments regarding our opposing beliefs. I couldn't give up my faith and religion for a cult religion, neither one of us wanted to give up. I loved my BF but I can't accept his beliefs. I knew that was a ploy of the enemy. I was on spiritual warfare. My BF said he was praying for me so later on I would change my mind and join him in his cult religion (he didn't believe it was a cult, he even said his religion is the true religion founded by God an all other religions are not).

Before this thing happened, we planned to get married on January 2000 but he wanted me to marry him right away at that time but it will be in their church and to be officiated by their false teacher. I prayed to God for direction and guidance. Then the Lord told me that I should give up my BF. It hurt me to do so. It was not easy for me because I love him. Satan had reminded me of how my BF had stuck with me during those trying moments in my life. He had accompanied me to the hospital during my treatments of the big C. We've been through good times and difficult times together and he said no sickness or problem could break us apart. It never came to my mind that it would be our opposing beliefs that would separate us. He was so kind, understanding, caring and sincere. I thought I would never find another man like him. When I broke up with, I felt like I died a thousand deaths. When I was alone in my room that was the time that I released all the heartaches that I felt by crying. I never forget his facial expression when I broke up with him. He was very, very sad, hurt and he went home right away. My heart told me to retract what I said but there was a small voice within me that said I should not. It's the voice of the Holy Spirit.

With the help of God and with lots of prayers I was able to recover from that break up after a few months. A couple of years later, God gave me my life partner that He wanted me to have for the rest of my life. He accepted me inspite of the illness I've been through. I won't trade him for anything else. He loves me unconditionally and spoils me rotten. He is a Texan and a Baptist preacher. He came to the Philippines in 2002 and we got married the first time He came here. We both flew to the US a year after. Now we're doing missionary works in the Philippines. God is good and God is right all the time and I praise God for everything that He has done and He's going to do in my life and in our ministry.

Being a Christian doesn't guarantee that there will be no trials and tribulations in life but the bottom line is how should we respond to those trials. I have proven to myself that God will not give us trials beyond our endurance. I obtained strength to overcome those trials by acknowledging my weakness and relying on God. He gave me the strength to endure circumstances beyond my human capability.

Brokenness characterized my life, my health, my plans my heart and my mind. Yet there is no despair. I bring my broken body, broken dreams and broken heart to God. He is the source of wholeness in life. Whatever our condition, He can touch our mind, heart and soul and heal our inner being when we ask Him sincerely. By His power and His grace I now live with peace that previously seemed unattainable, a joy that is hard to understand and a hope that seems impossible. I am experiencing the best of life in God especially with my hubby in my life now. This relationship becomes meaningful because Jesus makes the difference. He gives purpose to all my endeavors. Everything that happens to me He transforms, making every situation an opportunity for growth.

With God I have found that life even in the midst of problems, turmoil, pain and loss can be satisfying and meaningful. Without Him, a life crowned with success, power, wealth and health would remain lonely and empty- a chasing after the wind.

18 comments:

catsy said...

i almost burst into tears upon reading this post and I thank the Lord for healing you Lisa. I pray for your continuous good health together with your husband.

Right now, my father is also battling this dreaded disease and hope he can find the same strength and strong faith to the Lord like yours.

Carpe Diem

Lisa said...

Catsy, thanks for reading my post and your heartwarming comment. Truly the Lord is so good and has healed me of the big C. Without His mighty healing hand, I believe I would not be here no more. He let me live because He still have plans in my life and that is to win more souls for Him.

I pray that your father will turn to Jesus and commit his life, his health and everything to the One who created his body. Jesus can heal him, he just have to have faith for nothing is too difficult for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Joy said...

He is indeed the great healer. He never forsake you and healed you sis. I cannot imagine the hardships you have gone through, physically and emotionally as well :(

Verns@ Woman Elan Vital said...

Wow, nothing is impossible indeed to those that love God. you're now a manifestation of His healing power! Glory to God! Have a glorious life ahead!

Nova said...

I'm touched with your story, for me i would felt the same way i'm sure having that kind of sickness is something you think that you'll lost hope and faith but God is just testing us giving us a trial that HE knows we will surpass it... I'm glad you share this experience.

betchai said...

A very inspiring post Lisa, you have been through a lot, but you passed them all for our good God was your source of strength.

Anonymous said...

God Bless you more Lisa. God loves you and He will not give you such a test if He knew you won't topple it. Glad to hear you're inspiring story. Keep the Faith.

Juliana said...

You're an inspiration Manang. All I can say is AMEN. Our God is the greatest healer. Nothing is impossible with HIM!

Pinx JL said...

The verses you wrote in your posts are the verses that I always stand on, it's God's promises to me and to everyone who believes in Him. Like you, I've also accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour, but sad to say, my spiritual life is so dry, I am very hungry and thirsty of God's word, I could not find the right church here and it seems that Satan always finds a way to deviate me in following God. I've sinned and I know that I have a lot of faults and have broken God's heart, but I've asked for forgiveness as well, and I know that He has forgiven me.
I am so happy to read your post, my mom is also battling with breast cancer and she has prayer warriors, she has us to pray for her... and then when I think of it, what if it happens to me, I don't have prayer warriors, a church, pastors, friends to pray for me... and that worries me... but I know that with GOD nothing is impossible. Thank you for your post. I wish to do the same thing you are doing now.

MaryJane Tauyan said...

such an inspirational and motivation for me this post is an amazing piece to inspire many people on how God can change us and how God can make miracle and things we didn't really expect. www.tauyanm.com

Lainy said...

AMEN! Praises and glory to our ultimate healer! I never knew you had your own battle with cancer, Ate Lis. I am so glad I have known you virtually. You are a living testimony of God's love and supreme power!

Rcel said...

Being a Christian is not at all happiness for sure! But even then, God has promised that He will be with us every step of the way. Remember the words of the poem/song "Footprints in the Sand"?

Anyway, I am heartbroken today for a friend who just passed away from that dreaded Big C. He is still too young, only in his 30s, with 2 kids below 15 years old. I am so very happy to know of your experience. Your recovery is a sign that you still have great works laid out ahead for you while I am comforted to know that my friend's suffering has now ended. In all these struggles, I trust that God is always there for us. And He will for you especially that your faith is founded so strong and firm.

Unknown said...

Dealing with religious differences is very difficult. I understand why you had to break up with your boyfriend.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Your life experience is very inspiring Ate Lisa. My husband's family lost three family members because of if the big C and unlike you, they were not lucky to survive from it. You are one blessed woman, God is great!

Anne Mary said...

GOD indeed is a great healer, be a cancer or anything he would always finds a way when there seems to be no way.

FX777222999 said...

Your faith's solid for God and that it gave you the happiness through your heart and soul. Keep on believing and you'll find peace.

Carmel said...

Thanks for sharing your beautiful life! I pray that you continue to spread God's love everywhere :-)

Eileen said...

Such a touching post! God blessed you with strength to surpass all those trials. Keep on hanging on to that faith. Sometimes we come to a point where all we have left is faith. God bless you, sis.