A gentleman by the name of Ray called me last evening to see how I was doing after undergoing surgery to close a small hole in the soft pallet of my mouth. He attends the same church as me. The hole was the result of surgery years ago to remove a cancer in this area. Liquid often entered the hole and food would become lodged, making it very uncomfortable and difficult to remove.
In my anxious moments of wanting complete healing sooner than later, my disappointment quickly turned to discouragement and a feeling of doubt were knocking at the door. I call these obstacles the 3Ds. I was in this state of mind when my friend called.
We need to guard against the 3Ds by sharing our disappointments with God in prayer, confiding with the church pastor, or going to someone that knows God’s Word. These people can help open our eyes to truth before disappointment breeds discouragement and doubt.
I should have shared my concerns with my pastor or a friend, but didn’t. By holding them inside, my emotions plummeted to low ebb. It didn’t happen over night, but allowing it to engulf me over a period of time was my downfall. I thought that I would rise above these feelings, but my anxieties sunk even lower each day. Soon I wanting to make decisions that I knew were wrong, but didn’t care, because of my state of mind.
When times get bad, Christian’s need those of like faith to come to their aid. As members in the body of Christ reach out to those needing help, restoration takes place. Rehabilitation and soundness of mind is renewed, and determination to serve the Lord is rekindled. Communion with God the Father is re-established. In this way, Christians can walk in victory and maintain an abundant life in Christ.
Ray, a godly man, prayed intently for me prior to the reconstructive surgery and has been praying that God would bring complete and total healing to my mouth. He is a walking miracle for he too is a cancer survivor. His great inspiration to me and others speaks loudly the healing power of God Almighty.
This man involves himself in the lives of others. He lends a helping hand where he can, while endeavoring to stay sensitive to the voice of God, ready to share with those around him the wonders that Jesus has done in his life. This precious saint of God is a true testimony of God’s amazing grace. He believes in what he preaches and lives life accordingly. I am blessed to know such a man.
I shared with him some of the concerns that I had regarding the surgery. I was struggling with post surgery nervousness; becoming a bit timid and conservative when attempting to sing, now that I had re-joined the church choir. My zeal and compassion to sing solos had lost momentum from what it was prior to surgery. I was contemplating dropping out of choir altogether even though I knew my ministry was that of singing.
Solo work had been deeply gratifying and rewarding in past years serving God. Though I was aware that my singing blessed others, I was still pondering and mulling over in my mind to give it all up; to throw in the towel of defeat. Doubts had crept into my mind, because things were not going exactly the way I thought they should go after reconstructive surgery, although it had only been four months since the surgery.
After sharing with Ray all that was bothering me, he immediately said, “I’m going to pray for you right now!” The prayer that he prayed was dynamic and powerful. I could feel the Spirit of God all over me. It was as if God was speaking healing into my body and mind the moment he prayed. I felt like an open vessel that God was pouring strength and potency into.
(James 5:16), “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
The depression lifted and my aching spirit became revived again. The power of prayer touched my clouded soul and raised me above the shadows of despair. Hope was renewed, because God’s Spirit flowed through this man’s prayer. It allowed me to climb out of the hole that I had dug for myself, and to once again feel a kindred connection with the Lord.
God knew the flame was growing dim in my soul, so He called upon a man that He could trust; a man that was ready to be used—God’s hand extended. He was ready to encourage and to be a conduit that the Lord could flow through to impart grace where grace was needed. How beautiful and remarkable this is! God is amazing and magnificent! He is an awesome God who loves us with an everlasting love!
Whether a person has been walking with the Lord for a few days or many years, trials find us where we are. Our faith though tested at times; God doesn’t leave us to fight the battles alone. He sends other believers our way to come along side us to provide a shoulder to lean on and a bosom to cry upon.
As men and women of faith share their stories of victories, with arms of compassion tightly wrapped around hurting people, tear filled eyes look into the face of the one sincerely praying for God’s deliverance and they see the beauty of God’s love in them. With strength now flowing and peace descending, they realize how much God truly cares, and they bask in His presence once again.
To lend a helping hand and to be used of God should be every Christian’s desire. Being His hands and arms outstretched to embrace others in need is what I want to do—to be someone that God can call upon when hope is needed to be shared.
I want to be God’s mouthpiece and vocal cords; ready to share God’s Word either in song or through God inspired conversation. By doing so, this will not only enable others to find happiness and fulfillment in their walk with God, it will help me to maintain and keep strong my relationship with the Father.
As in my situation, when faith was waning and waxing cold, God sent a person my way to minister strength to me. When a notion or relentless feeling to pick up the telephone to call someone, or to drop a line of encouragement in the mail does not subside, perhaps it is the voice of God trying to get your attention on behalf of someone in need. He may be prompting you to give of your time; to minister to the person He has lain on your heart.
Never quench the prodding of the Holy Spirit when He beckons you to do something, because encouragement may be needed somewhere. You could be the means of a person rising above a troublesome time in their walk of faith. Be available, sensitive, and quick to respond to the voice of God. Lend a helping hand. Allow God to flow through you.
My friend said that he felt the urge to call me for three days. I’m glad he listened to God. I’m grateful that the Holy Spirit kept dealing with him to do so. His prayer not only brought encouragement and hope to my soul, his act of love strengthened my faith in the knowledge that God was still on the throne and that He cared about me.
Through this man lending a helping hand to God, I was made to realize that my Father in heaven would bring complete restoration to the area of surgery and that He was not through using my singing talent.
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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