I was sick for a prolonged season. It seemed like no matter what I tried to do, nothing worked. I felt awful. Over time with no solution, I grew afraid, constantly thinking, I cannot continue to live like this. What’s wrong with me? Why don’t I feel better? Why is nothing working? Will I ever feel better again? I didn’t know how to start healing. Anxiety had begun its work in me and I had no solutions.
I turned to the Lord, but I didn’t realize until I read Proverbs 12:25, that in my mind, the anxiety, and sickness had become stronger and more powerful than my God. Many times, without even realizing it, we place our hope in something besides God. You might have placed your hope in a medicine, an essential oil, or in a person—but whatever we place before God is an idol. I’m not saying we shouldn’t use doctors and medicine! I’m just saying they are not where we find our true hope. I realized that I had become a slave to my expectations and my words—complaining, negative, and sick words.
Countless death-words had poured out of my lips (Proverbs 18:21). I felt like death, so I spoke death. I didn’t feel like speaking life, but one day, I decided to start. I committed to speak life regardless of the doctor’s words or how I felt. I resolved to use only the Bible as my weapon.
After a short while, peace reentered my life and began to guard my heart. To my surprise, I started to believe that eventually I would overcome; that I was an overcomer! After six months of steadfastly speaking life-giving words and with the power of Jesus, I am thrilled to report that I am 100% restored!
Is God the one you run to or have you placed your hope in something or someone else? God lives in you and He is for you! His promises are true! His will is for you to have life and life abundantly! God doesn’t promise us a trouble-free life, but peace in Him. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
The secret I discovered for how to start healing—how to persevere—was to start speaking life. Speak His truth and life-filled words until you believe them, and then repeat. Regardless of your circumstances, never give up. Even if your body isn’t healed, never stop speaking life-giving, truth-filled words. Never give up your hope in God! It’s incredible what we can overcome when we set our hope and our words on the truth. You are an overcomer!
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 NIV
