In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge.
Proverbs 14:26.
February seems to be the month of active mission for Narda Pella. God had opened the doors to varied missionary and business ventures and I was very excited. Phone calls and appoint-
ments, conducting a tour for my first major upcoming Christian event, just a packed experience. Nestled between a collaborative cooking class and a Family Life luncheon was my obligation to conduct a presentation for an online global Mental Health network called PsycheTherapy. I was recommend-
ed to this group by one of my mentors and though a little anxious, I believed God had opened this door for me.
I was prayerfully gathering my thoughts about what I would present to this network of international professionals, their clients, etc. I had an audience of vast experience and intelligence and wondered what could I offer that they already didn't know. What could they take back to impact their communities, families, and loved ones? The Lord had given me a general topic from which to somersault, "Broken Layers", but I was hesitant because that was loaded with tenets that were God-focused. Would this audience be accepting or should I just stick with the more generic brand solution: Mental health stats and N.E.W.S.T.A.R.T? I continued to ask for prayers while I sought God's face.
February 12 loomed nearer and on top of all things I became sick. I felt fine all throughout the weekend, I was dressing warm, covering my head, and eating healthy, but I was also very tired from my long commute and the demands of my job. I began coughing a dry cough. I thought it was allergies because I could feel my throat narrowing and there was absolutely no phlegm, no fever, and no lack of energy. I felt fine except for the cough. I continued to ask for prayers without sharing the reason. I continued to doctor myself. This continued for a few days until the cough began to intensify and by Thursday it was worse but still bearable. I had just reconfirmed the speaking engagement, so I asked God if I should cancel. I felt like this was an attack, but maybe it was just my body rebelling. Friday I felt better and on Sabbath, I went to church. The cough was very controllable and I thought I would be okay if I continued on this trajectory. But it wasn't to be so.
Saturday afternoon my cough renewed with a vengeance unseen throughout the former week. I coughed almost nonstop, to the point where I felt absolutely weak. It felt like I had a fever. I asked some of my friends to pray for me because I knew I had the mental health speaking engagement and a Bible study the next day. The day came and I wondered how in the world was I going to make it through the speaking engagement. I had just finished the Bible studies and had to turn off my camera and mute my mic multiple times within seconds and minutes! I had vamped up my treatment routine but to no avail. There was no way the mental health presentation was going to be successful and I sent out another dove of seeking prayer intervention. I knew people were praying for me and even recommended treatments for which I was grateful, but I was already doing. I got on my knees in renewed humility.
I told the LORD how thankful I was for the opportunity. I said that I was always willing to step away from the task if He didn't truly approve it. I didn't want to cancel because I felt it was a test of my faith, but I was willing to follow His decision no matter the consequences. " I am willing to present Your way and not in any fear of offending my audience. Father, if the enemy is hemming up my path, please "dry up the mucus as you did the Red Sea"( as my mentor prayed for me)." It was now minutes before the speaking engagement. It could be a time of great humiliation... but I was determined to do it for His glory alone. I told God I trust Him and whatever He allowed I was good with it.
No sooner had I gotten up from my knees, I felt the sensation of "virtue" passing through my throat. I felt like someone was applying a peppermint-like balm to the insides of my throat.
At first, I was skeptical but I still felt it. I knew that God had heard me. I arose with exhilaration and strong confidence! I got onto the Mental Health platform via Zoom and I poured out the "water" that God gave me to share. Many people shared how they were thankful for the presentation.
Would you believe that I didn't cough once or had to cut off my camera? I was as energized as if I was 100 % well. God heard my cry for help, and I was satisfied. I was on that Zoom platform from 1:30 P.M. to 2:45 P.M. and I had not one urge to cough. I didn't cough until the session ended. My coughing was also not merciless, and unceasing, but now very very bearable. Why didn't He take it away altogether? I believe it was to provide me with no excuse to think this miracle was a coincidence or attribute it to the natural remedies I had taken earlier that morning. I would have lost the blessing of having renewed confidence in Him.
Do you need to renew your trust in God's love and power? Find hope in God's Word. Proverbs 14:26 reminds us that in the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge. 1 John 14:15, tells us that we should have confidence in God when we ask for anything according to His will. He will grant our requests. Praise the Lord.
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