By: Melba
Have you ever thought that one day could change your life forever? Or even the statement “I promise you trials and tribulations” would be just what it say’s it is? Have you ever experienced or did you know you could feel content in the midst of such enormous pain and suffering as it touches your world? Does suffering really develop “strong” character and “deep” wisdom? Can you imagine having peace in the midst of the storm? Does “joy” really come in the morning? Can we actually “rejoice” even when everything around us seems to be falling apart?
What a Difference a Day Makes
Well, I am here to tell you that I have personally witnessed all the above and all that God said to be true. I would love to share a testimony that I was blessed; yes, I was blessed to walk through with my husband of 35 years.
Approximately eight years ago, my husband had a 6-hour surgery called a Femoral Popliteal Bypass-Fempop for short (his main arteries in both legs had to be replaced) because he could barely walk, he had intense pain, and had very little blood flow in both legs. However, his Doctor at the time failed to tell us that the bypass would only last three years.
One Saturday night, I’ll never forget, my husband started screaming, stating that “his right leg was hurting really bad.” He was taken to the emergency room, where he was diagnosed with a nerve condition. Three days later, I received a phone call that would change my life. A friend informed me that he was at another hospital with my husband, who had been taken into emergency surgery. This was in an attempt to save his right leg because it had no blood flow.
I immediately started praying as I drove to the hospital, praying the entire time. Remembering Isaiah 41:10, fear not, for the Lord our God is with us, “seeking first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, knowing all these things shall be added unto us,” as Matthew 6:33 says. I knew no matter what I saw with my natural eyes; I needed to look through spiritual eyes (Isaiah 55:8 states, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord”); I also needed to remember 1 Corinthians 15:57 “we have victory through Christ” and Ephesians 6:10-20 “to suit up in the whole armor of God.
When I finally got to see my husband, God told me to anoint him with oil. He told me that I was to “stand” on and read “His word” over my husband. I was to “trust” Him and have “faith” in Him alone, to “stay” by my husband’s side. To call and put my husband on the “prayer list,” and have the elders of our church come and lay hands on him, that I was to touch and agree with the “prayer warriors” God so graciously placed in my life, that I was to “praise God,” sing songs over my husband” and to know that “God wouldn’t leave us nor would He forsake us.”
The first surgery failed, so my husband’s right leg was amputated below the knee, which didn’t heal because he has type 2 diabetes. A week later, it was cut off above the knee, which lasted only a year, but then the stump began to deteriorate/rot. The Doctors in our city had never seen anything like it, so he was transported to another state where he underwent tests that left even these Doctors baffled. The only solution was to cut his stump off up to his hip. This resulted in numerous hospitalizations (another trip out of state) and various rehabs, which went on for almost a year because he would not heal. His wound became infected for so long that it appeared my husband would surely die. I refused to buy the lies of the enemy; I had to remember “he’s healed by Jesus’ stripes,” and I was told to speak life into my husband, not death. So that is what I did!
I really can’t get into the gory details or show you all the pictures I took of what my husband went through, but I am a witness that God is who He says He is and more. That through God’s word, through obedience to his word, through His guidance and His wisdom, “my husband lives.”
Therefore, I encourage you that whatever you are facing, whatever you are going through, you have an ever-present God who will be with you as He was with me. So when you are facing “trials of many kinds,” as James 1:2 tells us.
First, you need to pray. We must allow God to guide us; there’s no way you can enter the spiritual realm without Him. This is that life-or-death kind of praying. “To seek first His Kingdom,” Matthew 6:33 tells us to get our eyes off the circumstance and on our ever-present God. Not only will it bring us peace, as Philippians 4:6 tells us. But there is a promise connected to Matthew 6:33 “all these things shall be added unto you.” What are “all these things?” Going up from where that scripture is in Matthew 6 begins in verse 25 with the title “Do Not Worry.” “All these things” are the exact things you need, they will be provided for you! Great News for us both!
Second, while facing these trials, we must read the Bible and do what God leads us to do. He provides in many ways, but one of them is through His Word. Isaiah 55:11 states, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: It shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it”. His word is what changes us if we let it. It is what tells us everything is going to be “okay” when the doctors are scratching at their heads. It brings peace, strength, endurance, hope, and the ability to stand for the miracles in our lives.
The third may seem easy, but you will know where you stand when your feet hit that flame. You got to have faith. You must believe that God will do what God says He will do through His word: Hebrews 11 states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.” And call upon the One that can do all things. Throughout that season, I called upon Jehovah Rapha “The physician and healer.”
I said all that to say I thought the day my husband lost his leg was the day that changed everything. But I am here to tell you it wasn’t. The day that changed everything was the day (October 5, 1986) when I received Christ as my Lord and Savior over 35 years ago. It has been one of the greatest choices I have ever made in my life to know that He loved me so much that He gave His one and only son to save “me,” giving “me” the power and authority for such a time as this. How awesome is that! And that He was going to walk this all out right beside me, giving me everything I needed along the way. I would have never been able to tell you this testimony with such victory if it wasn’t for the relationship I have with Jesus!
If you’re hurting, confused, or don’t believe you have anything to live for, please call out to Him today, and He will be your hope. He is waiting on you with open arms.
What a Difference a Day Makes
This can be your day!
What a Difference a Day Makes
If you need scriptures today that will help you walk this out with Jesus, I have provided a list below! They are in the KJV, read them, pray them over your life, memorize them, whatever you need!
Scripture God Blessed Me with to Heal My Husband
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Matthew 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is; and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait unto the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 54:17: No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.
2 Timothy 1:14: With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard what has been entrusted to you.
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Mark 11:24 says “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches and glory through Christ Jesus.”
Jeremiah 32:17 Nothing is too difficult for Thee.
Psalms 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalms 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
Philippians 4:6-7 To be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
2 Chronicles 20 (15 ½ & 17) Thus saith the Lord into you, Be not afraid nor dismayed; by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle, set yourselves, stand ye still; and see the salvation of the Lord with you. O’Judah and Jerusalem; fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out, against them; for the Lord will be with you.
If we ever needed a reminder of our Lord’s goodness and mercy, this it. Thank you sister for sharing
You’re so very welcome Ms. Linda!
Mrs.Melba I appreciate you so much, you always bring positive word on how “GREAT GOD” is. I Thank you. May God continue to Bless you and Rick. Love always..
Mrs. Melba, thank you so much for everything you have done for me. You are an angel!! May the Lord continue to bless you and your family and I can’t wait until we meet!! Love Amanda