In this WFTW I will share a personal experience that relates to what many are going through to prepare for these times. 

         A couple years ago, the Lord spoke to me about a major problem I had that was costing me much by causing me to miss the Lord in many ways, such as divine connections and even miracles He wanted to do in and through me. The problem was my impatience.

         I asked the Lord to help me with this, and He was faithful to do so. It seemed everything I set out to do involved a major delay. I could not go around the corner to a store without running into an accident or some other major roadblock. I embraced this and thanked Him for each one. I thought I was making good progress. Then I recently had a stroke that resulted in my left side being paralyzed. I approached this like every other trial or challenge—embracing it as a good thing, since this is the biblical promise we are given in Romans 8:28-30:

         And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 

         For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 

         and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. 

         First, we are told, “all things” work together for our good. Even a stroke must be included in “all things.” So, God at least allowed this for my good, and I want to embrace everything from Him.  

         Then, in verse 29 of this text, it says we are to be conformed to His image. So, this will help me conform to His image. Jesus went through the worst thing He ever experienced, the cross, resolutely and without complaining. So, I wanted to do the same with this stroke, which was by no means as difficult as what He faced, but difficult, nonetheless.

          Since I had seen how a stroke had incapacitated my father and finally killed him after years of being in a vegetative state, this was probably my worst fear. Then the same thing happened to my father-in-law. What a terrible grief to see them both so incapacitated. As I lay on the floor after my stroke, I realized my worst fear had come upon me, then I realized how foolish it was to fear this any longer. So, I resolved to face whatever came with faith, not fear. The fear that had dogged me since my father’s demise left and a profound peace took over in its place.

         As I began to thank the Lord for this trial, a joy came over me that has stayed with me since. We are instructed in I Thessalonians 5:18-19: “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Even a stroke is included in “everything.” So, I resolved to thank the Lord for this and be thankful. Psalm 100 says, “We enter His gates with thanksgiving,” so thanksgiving is a way to get closer to Him, which I have since tried to make my main purpose every day. We are also told that in His presence is “fullness of joy” (see Psalm 16:11). So, being a thankful person instead of a complaining one is key to having the joy of the Lord as our strength.

         Again, when my worst fear came upon me and I resolved to face it with faith and thanksgiving, fear departed, and the joy of the Lord took its place. When they ran all their tests on me and could find no cause for the stroke, I knew this was a God-thing. Though it may have been an attack of the devil, he could not have done this without God allowing it, so I wanted to make the most of the opportunity. 

         Hospitals are my least favorite place, second only to funeral homes. However, as I resolved to be thankful for people who help other people in their afflictions, I started to enjoy it. Every day was filled with good times, even with all the pain, problems, inconveniences, and indignities of being in a helpless state. Since I had to experience them, I wanted to make the most of them, especially since God gives grace to the humble. The place I so disliked soon became so filled with His presence, I felt it had become His temple. That is what we are all called to do—abide in Him so we carry His presence everywhere we go.

         Next week, the Lord’s hospital visitation…

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