Do not lose heart!

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. …” 2 Corinthians 4:16-17.

I want to share with you what the Lord has been teaching me and a special prayer request.  I was diagnosed with lupus when I was 15 years old. I have been on steroid treatments for the last 15 years. Around my sophomore year in college I started having chronic hip pain. This was around the same time I heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ and became a Christian. This began my long road of learning to trust Jesus with all my suffering.

The steroid I have to take can cause vascular necrosis, which means it can destroy bone tissue, especially in the hip joint. Last week I went to see the doctor for a check up on my Lupus disease and also x-ray my hipbones because it hurt on my left side when I walk. When the doctor saw the results of the x-ray film, she suggested for me to get an operation on my hip bones or replace them. This was very scary. She gave me time to think about it and referred me to an orthopedic specialist.

From this situation I felt nervous and scared about operating. How many days that I have to be in the hospital? How many days will it take to recover after the operation? Will the insurance will cover all expenses? I tried to stop what I was thinking and tell myself to calm down. After that, I prayed and thanked God for this situation. I asked myself, “Who is God? God is sovereign. God knows everything and He will prepare me for everything too. He reminded me of His promises and how He had always been faithful to me in the past.

Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth!”

Isaiah 12:2

“Behold, God is my salvation;
 I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song,
 and he has become my salvation.”

A few days later I went to see the orthopedic doctor. After he looked at the x-ray film he said that I  didn’t have to have a hip replacement but he suggested that we drill instead both the left and right side. Drilling holes in the femural head will allow increased blood flow so that the area can heal a bit and hopefully aleviate some pain. After this procedure, I will be able to walk normally but must be very careful in the first 14 days. Drilling is a much better option for me than operating. Because if I operate now and get a new hip, I will need to operate every 10-15 years! I’m too young for a new hip! J

God has continued to show me that He will always take care of me and that I don’t have to worry about the future. He is my Good Shepherd! I’m thankful for the ways that God has used this disease to change me to be more like Jesus. God has work for me to do, to tell Thai people about Jesus and to serve Him with my whole heart! God is allowing me to be used for His glory and by His strength. I am a weak person, but when I am weak, I am strong- because of HIM!

Please pray for :

-       I will have the drilling procedure on November 2, about 8 pm. Please pray that God will give wisdom and strength to the doctor. Also, please pray that I will heal quickly afterwards and that God will provide for all the medical expenses.

-       Please pray that God will give me strength and that my heart will rest in Him. I believe He is always with me, He holds my hands and will lead me through this time.

-       Pray for many opportunities that I can give Him glory through this situation.

Thank you so much.

Love,  

Honey