Desperately Seeking a Miracle? [Podcast]

“You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.” (John 14:13 NLT).

Following a dental procedure [in December 2021], I began to have problems with my asthma, which did not respond to the prescribed medication. Several visits were made to the hospital emergency department and urgent care for immediate medical intervention for the next month. I was continuously evaluated, treated, and discharged, receiving advice to schedule an appointment with my Primary Care Doctor. My response was, “Yes, I have an appointment with my Dr. on January 25th, 2022.” During my last visit to the emergency room on January 9th, the physician told me to stop worrying because my condition was stable.

While waiting to see my Doctor, I began to diligently pray and ask God for healing. After a few days of silence from God and my condition not improving, discouragement set in. On January 14th, I convinced myself that I had COVID. Yes, that had to be the reason for the change in my condition. I scheduled a test and was in disbelief when the result was negative. I was also relieved when the chest x-ray was normal. But it was then that fear and anxiety began to escalate. A sudden change in my condition for no obvious reason resulted in imagining that my condition had progressed to Chronic Lung Disease.

In desperation, I started a prayer vigil, asking God for answers. Still, God gave me the silent treatment. I began to examine my lifestyle choices. Was I being disobedient? Why wasn’t God healing me? Remembering God’s promises, “The prayers of a righteous man avails much” and “Ask anything in my name, and I will do it,” without an answer left me feeling abandoned.

I began to feel depressed but listened to some familiar gospel songs on YouTube. I received a response from the Holy Spirit while listening to the introduction of a song. The singer stated that often God uses a decline in our health to get our attention that we need to spend time with Him. Still, God increased my understanding by providing a second answer. A suggested sermon showed up in the YouTube feed entitled “When God says No.”

It wasn’t that God did not desire to heal me. I was fixated on my physical health, but God’s focus was on my spiritual health, which had plummeted. Many distractions during the holiday season kept me from daily prayer and studying the scriptures. Instead of strengthening my faith and relationship with Jesus Christ, I enjoyed watching musical programs, videos, and movies.

Once I began to give God the time He deserves by putting Him first, my physical health began to improve. And further diagnostic testing revealed that my asthma has not progressed. Yes, it is stable! Even so, it is the healing of my spiritual condition that received a supernatural miracle! God desires us to live with Him forever in the New Heaven and New Earth. And He will do whatever it takes to turn our focus back to Him.

Desperate for a miracle? Ask God to anoint you with the Holy Spirit as you seek to do His will through continuous prayer. We then understand a thorn in our flesh or an ongoing circumstance may remain, but God uses His ways to get our attention, thus drawing us closer to Him. Remember, our destination is heaven!

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Prayer: God, we thank you for using your ways to draw us closer to You when we lose our way. We ask you to give us strength during our trials and sorrows. We thank you in advance for a victorious outcome. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.