HIS VICTORY FOR HIS GLORY

It began in June. I awoke unreasonably early to a stinging sensation on my upper eyelids. So strange. Couldn't go back to sleep for the discomfort so I pulled myself up and out to see what this pain was all about….

Hmmm…. Slight redness on my eyelids. I rinsed my face with cold water. It cooled the discomfort. Didn't think anything more of it.

A few days passed. The redness was persistent. It seemed to be creeping into the outer corners of my eye. The stinging sensation had intensified a bit. Hmmmm…..

A few more days passed by. Then I had a good cry about something I can't even remember. I woke up the next morning to extremely red, swollen eyelids that seemed to be on fire. The morning after that, the eyelids were less swollen but with deep lines in the crevices.  A few days later the crevices cracked open in a couple of places and I was bleeding slightly. It was as if someone had taken an Xacto knife to my lids.

Never had this happen before. I was baffled.  And, no matter what I did, this state did not go away. In fact, as the weeks passed on, it grew progressively worse. It spread to other parts of my eyes and face. And, it was accompanied by flakey skin and itching!  Sometimes the itching was so intense that it kept me awake at night.

Luke 9:11


And the people, when they knew it, followed Him: and He received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

I struggled with this condition for weeks. Over four months had gone by since it all began. I was beside myself.  Praying constantly, asking for others to pray.  Doing research to find out exactly what this mystery was that was creeping and spreading around upon my face. Then I found out: eczema. Never had it before! What do I do?!  No topical remedy would work. It provided merely temporary relief; the eczema returned after a day or two.  I dare not cry or have watery eyes for fear of it stinging and spreading. Then I found out more: detox.  It was coming from the inside out. Going to a medical 'expert' was, in my experience, not a viable option. A doctor would treat it topically and/or give medication that would further tax my system and fill me with more toxins. I needed to cleanse, cleanse, cleanse and detoxify myself. 

Matthew 9:35

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

So I cleansed. A juice detox.  And, I prayed. This time I pleaded that He truly, once and for all, would deliver me from this affliction. Just as the Israelites did in the days of Joshua and the judges pleading for Him to deliver them from oppression; however, unlike the Israelites, I reminded Him of my faithfulness to Him over the years especially during times of trial and temptation. Never, even during my darkest times or difficult tests, did I turn away from Him or question His purpose for me.

After this most heartfelt prayer, the eczema seemed to get better. For three days, it was slowly dissipating. It seemed that I was finally experiencing some relief.  Ahhh!  I was tentatively excited! On the fourth day, it returned with a vengeance! I was distraught. Almost six months had passed. Was I going to have to live in this condition forever!  It certainly was a possibility. I resigned myself to the reality that God may not want to clear me of this infection for a purpose I could not yet comprehend. I resigned myself to my Lord and handed my desires to Him.

James 5:14


Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

That week at church services, my husband asked our pastor to anoint me. I had been anointed for a couple of things in past years but not for this current malady.  Yes, during this time, I'd always had complete faith that He could heal me if it was His will. So I was anointed. Within three days, the eczema was COMPLETELY GONE!  The scaly skin, the itchiness, the redness and soreness--GONE! Coincidence?  I think not!  It was truly a miracle. I had my face back! Praise Him from Whom all blessings flow!

I take no credit for this miraculous occurrence nor does my pastor. As I write this memorial to His grace and wonders, my face tingles with remembrance of the discomfort and healing! COMPLETELY GONE!   Yes, I've 'cleaned up my act' somewhat and continue to detox periodically and try not to stress out the adrenal and other filtration systems in my body. The credit and praise, however, all go to our Great Healer…..

He did it not necessarily for me but for HIS GLORY, for His good pleasure, and because He is love. It is HIS VICTORY.  I felt compelled to share it with you!  I did pray over the course of six months and He chose to answer with a resounding 'No, not now....'.  He has His reasons for answering me this way at that time. But, YES, He does care. YES, He does hear you. YES, He can perform miracles--in alignment with His will and in His perfect timing--for those who trust and diligent seek Him.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I do want to share, as well, that I also suffer from a more significant physical disability that I have had since birth. I have prayed continually, since coming to know Him, that He would heal me and remove this thorn from my side. I have also been anointed for it. Our Great God has chosen not to take this affliction from me. I know and am confident that He is able. And, I have not ceased, in fifteen years, in asking Him to do so. Maybe one day His answer will be "Yes"! Until then, I pray I can use it as well for His glory.....

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.