Through the Fire- My Testimony

I hope I am allowed to share this here. I love to share my testimony to the glory of God. I hope it is not too long for you to read. I am a single parent and got sick with Chronic Fatigue about 4 years ago. People had to move me back home with my mom. I was even too sick to do that. For the 1st 3 of those years I slept 16 hours a day every day. My son would often come to my door and say are you going to get up today mom? Also, sometimes it was 2-3 days before I got a shower. I also had frontal lobe demntia. Because of that I was unable to get into the Word and sleeping all the time I was not able to go to church. I knew God was with me and knew He could heal me at any time because He had done that several times in the past. I have always had a lot of surgeries and illnesses but was able to work fulltime up to that point. I have received no disability or any other money during this time. God has been faithful however. He has made things last like my car and clothes. He started to heal my body last December. I stopped sleeping that much but still struggle with insomnia and my immune system. This summer my nose ran nonstop for 2 months due to my immune system. I was on all kinds of medicines. Nothing worked. I believe God is gong to heal my body at some point in time so I can say I remember when and He loves you so much that He will do the same thing for you to whomever I may be sharing with. I believe He is calling me to a disability/ chronic illness ministry. I have spoken to my pastor recently about this and am waiting on him to get back with me. The Bible says Though He slay me yet will I praise Him. I mention that verse to share this- before I got sick I prayed Lord I want to grow in You. I felt like He said to me do you really? - I heard a great cost involved. I quit praying, got up and came back 2 days later and told Him yes. That is about the time I started to get sick. This is not a popular theology. It is not get rich quick. But I have learned He is more interested in our holiness than in our comfort. He has always beeen there. He has never left me or forsaken me. The few material possessions I do have are in a shed and my mom has paid many times over for them. We are thinking about getting rid of them and setting aside the money for when I do move I will have a small fund to replace things with. I am still having problems with energy levels and that is why I don't work. Also, part of Chronic Fatigue, as strange as it seems is insomnia. I usually take 1 and a half hour nap at night and am up for hours on end. The good thing is I have used all that time since January when it started happening at the feet of Jesus because I didn't want to wake people up. After spending hours with Him every night He has given me riches I never could have bought with money. I look forward to one day returning to work but until then I seek the completion of my healing which I believe is on the way. In March the Lord visited me through way of a book I was reading. The words became very, very bold and almost jumped off the page. What was spoken to me was this- that the wilderness is a place to which God takes His people. It is a difficult survival place of solitude, loneliness and testing. There He works to bring about brokenness and prepare us for usefulness. We have to go deeper into God, possess His promises and realize our destiny. It is a place to prepare His people. It is a time of testing to know what is in our hearts. It is also a life changing opportunity. He leads us there to perfect His character in us. The sweetness and quality of gold comes out of the fire. We don't choose seasons of wilderness. God does. You find yourself in a new and unwanted place trying to find your footing to get back to normal. Returning to normal isn't the key but being transformed into His image. It is Gods preparation for restoration. I would not have choosen this path to walk if I knew all the things it entailed but I am thankful I have because of the spiritual things that have happened in my life because of it. I also know I would not have been able to walk through some of the things that others have. God has a way of putting us in the furnace without burning us. He knows the perfect temperature and conditions to get His character formed in all of us. There is a wonderful song on youtube that may minister to some of you called Through the Fire by the Crabb Family. I pray that God sends His richest blessings to all.

Beautiful testimony of God's faithfulness.

The wilderness experience can be quite varied.

2 Cor 11v23-33, Paul speaks about the things he went through for the sake of the gospel.

In vs30 he speaks of his infirmity.

No doubt, you can identify with this, and others with something else in this particular scripture.

Also, God promises that He is able to keep us from falling, Jude 24. And He is.

God bless.

Thank you for sharing the testimony of The Lord in your life, not only you have touched others heart and blessed, you also shared hope to those who read this. It does some times do make things difficult to see when we are in the midst of the storm. To read or heear Testimony of God to other believers ... God Bless you sister

Thank you for sharing this with us sister.

That is about the time I started to get sick. This is not a popular theology. It is not get rich quick. But I have learned He is more interested in our holiness than in our comfort. He has always beeen there. He has never left me or forsaken me.

He leads us there to perfect His character in us.

Addition by subtraction ... Indeed the perfecting of character, [i]His character[/i] and I do not know of a better example than what you are showing forth by your own experience and even greater, your great patience. What an example of faith and trust ...

Am unsure if this is the proper place for it but going on a number of weeks now the real root of this verse has been drawing off my concentration;

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

For all the years and all the possible extrapolations, all the times I have tried to assimilate this into a reality that sticks ... For some reason the sheer simplicity and core truth of it all is finally ... sinking in? It does seem almost strange to put it that way but it is as if the subtle background and the more focused times of concentration have somehow passed the dullness of fleshly efforts and assaulted that most diabolical sin of all, unbelief.

What began to occur even as early as this morning is a brewing excitement, an '[i]but of course[/i]'! to it all.

[i]it shall be given him[/i]

He is faithful, has never once failed ... Will He not deliver on what He promises? God forbid. Keith Daniel has an excellent message here on the book of James, I can hear his voice echoing the continuation of this subsection;

"[i]Don't you doubt it now, don't you doubt it[/i]"

The substance of this is coming straight through your testimony her sister, it is a tremendous, wonderful, Lord honoring proclamation. Lest it is also overlooked, the preceding verses have been just as much part and parcel to gaining if I may use that word, wisdom;

[i]Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.[/i] Jas 1:3,4

Rich words, [i]trying ... worketh ... patience ... let[/i] ... 'knowing this'.

Certainly you know a great deal of this, what a great encouragement and a humbling for us who may have better health and yet ... lack these very dimensions of character borne out such experience as yours. "This is not a popular theology" ... sadly not, what a tremendous loss of far greater riches.

So glad you have found this treasure trove, thanks for adding to it sister.

I recently recvd. a prophecy that said I was like Moses on the backside of the desert. They even mentioned the burning bush. It said not to despise this time or even try to explain it. The more I tried to explain it the less sense it would make. That it was a time of solidarity between just me and God and I thought how true. They didn't know I had ben up every night for hours on end at His feet since January receiving His instruction. They also said it was a time of getting the word into me. Praise God!

Donna, what a blessing you are to us! HE is pouring through you and great is your reward in HIS service! Amen!

Donna,
This is a very moving testimony.
Just points to Christ.
Thank-you for sharing, and being so honest.
May God Bless you, abundantly.

HE-Reigns,
You have been through a lot. I seen this on Dave Draveckys website. It encouraged me when I read it. It said if God has an impossible task He takes an impossible man and crushes him. May our God of compassion and love wrap His arms around you!

I am humbled by what the Lord did here today. I pray blessings and encouragement upon each one of you who blessed me by sharing your experiences. I appreciate it. May our WONDERFUL GOD continue to do much in your lives as well. Donna

I heard this song this morning on the way to church and had to add it to my testimony. I hope this is an encouragement for those who are struggling with lifes many different problems. May God blees you.

He's Been Good Ron Kenoly
I have known the Fathers care for me
He's been good, He's been good
Through it all He's always there for me
God's been good to me
Through the storms
Through the night
Come what may
Everything will be alright
I have known the Fathers care for me
God's been good to me
God's so good
God's been good to me
God's so good
God's been good to me
God's been good
I've known the Fathers care
He's been good
He's been good
He's always there for me
God's been good to me

I want to fall on my face in worship for all the blessings my wonderful LORD has given me through this illness. Job 23:10 says But HE knows the way I take when HE has tested me I shall come forth as gold. I am still waiting for my total healing but Isaiah 53:5 says But HE was wounded for our transgressions, HE was bruised for our iniquities,the chastisement for our peace was upon HIM and by HIS stripes we are healed. I believe HIS promise because He has proven HIMSELF faithful. HE knows the perfect time to release us from the fire not a minute too soon or too late. Not a single hair on our head will be singed because HE carefully watches over us while HE has in the furnace. Praise HIS name! There is a song I like that says why shouldnt I praise HIM HE's been so good to me. Why shouldnt I praise HIM and with my soul I'm gonna sing. HE is my rock and fortress a friend in time of need. Why shouldnt I praise HIM. Amen

I am so glad you responded to my message. I pray all the time that I am reaching people through my illness so that experiencing it will have been worth it. As you know, GOD isnt interested in us having fun or being comfortable but in having HIS character revealed in us so we might be made holy. I pray for holiness to be part of my life all the time because I am an intercessor. We cant come into GODS presence unless we are holy so it pays to have a pure heart and live that way before HIM. I believe HE takes us through trials to burn off dross, teach us things and so we are able to reach out to others better. Right now HE is trying to teach me how to have a meek and quiet spirit which the Bible says is precious in HIS sight. HE is teaching me to be still and know that HE is GOD. I feel like I am failing this more than learning it right now but I praise GOD for HIS patience with me. The hard part is when we have to keep experiencing the same thing over and over because we arent obedient or learn from it the first time. I like this song about holiness.

Holiness, holiness is what I long for
Holiness is what I need
Holiness, holiness is what You want from me

Faithfulness, faithfulness is what I long for
Faithfulness is what I need
Faithfulness, faithfulness is what You want from me

Take my heart and form it
Take my mind and transform it
Take my will and conform it
To Yours, to Yours, Oh Lord

Righteousness, righteousness is what I long for
Righteousness is what I need
Righteousness, righteousness is what You want from me
(Chorus)