After three years, 14 doctors and medical doctors not believing her, my daughter, Sarah, was finally seen by a naturopathic doctor who diagnosed her with Chronic Neurological Lyme disease. Unfortunately, her diagnosis comes with 6 chronic viruses such as mono, a form of pneumonia, a tick borne virus, etc. Sarah is tough and managed to go to and graduate with her Master's degree while working. Most of her medical bills are not covered by insurance and none of her supplements are covered, which cost hundreds each month and causes stress. This seems so unfair and hurts me greatly. Sarah gave me her blessing to share this and wanted me to share* how much better she is doing.
Today I was trying to write her that nothing about what she is going through is easy and I wish she did not have to go through it. My daily and sometime hourly prayer is that during this time she will feel God's presence with her and trust Him with her life. I am praying this knowing that I certainly did not have that kind of faith at that age! As I was writing I literally ran across
Isaiah 61: 7, "Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt, your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy go on forever." I love this verse and had forgotten about it. I am claiming it on Sarah! I told her, "I do not know what God is going to do with you but I believe He is going to use you in a mighty way! You have quite a story to share and help others." God’s people were going through a tough time. They were being held captive and being mistreated by other nations. God sent this word to encourage them and give them hope for their future. And, of course, God was faithful to His Word!
I look back on my time of trouble and I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that God gave me double for my trouble and He continues to. The blessings far outweigh the bad times. Even facing death, made me appreciate the gift of life every day. Not everyone gets that blessing to take with them through life! Our God is not unfair. He will never let us go through tests, fire or the valley without experiencing His goodness in an unbelievable, outweighed measure! Job 42: 10, "After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before." The sun always rises. Ecclesiastes 1: 5, "The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises."
Our God is a God of restoration. He is not going to just repay us for our trouble, He is going to do above and beyond making things better than they were! Psalm 126: 1-3, "When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them.' The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."
Other's see us when we are in captivity and they will witness God blessing us. Our tough times are temporary. And when the time is right, God will bless us in a wonderful way to advance His Kingdom! We just have to trust Him! Which is easier for me to do with myself than my children. But God helps me with my unbelief. I thank Him for taking me to His Word that I needed and helping me to find comfort in it.
Our days are destined to shine brighter because God is faithful. If we stay faithful and obedient to His Word, we will receive double for our trouble! The time will come when Sarah's mouth will be filled with laughter and her tongue with joy and people will say, "The Lord has done great things for her!" Psalm 23: 6, "Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life..." Thank You, God, for comforting a Mom!
*Around 70% of lyme cases do NOT have a bullseye rash. You should seek a lyme literate doctor immediately if you find a tick. Tick removal information can be found on the Global Lyme Alliance website.
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