God-Sized Testimony from a Wife and Mother continued

Women's Studies

…continued

… symptoms that my husband experienced when he was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. He is able to take over-the-counter medication to keep his symptoms under control. Though he advised me to go to the doctor, he also suggested I take this same medication to see if it helped. The medication did help, so I did not go to the doctor.

However, even though the medication helped, my symptoms would flare up at certain times and cause great pain. I began to increase my dosage, but did not go to the doctor as my husband had suggested multiple times. My fear of the unknown and discomfort of visiting the doctor was greater than my willingness to obey.

It is very important to note a passage in the Bible that talks about the armor of God.

Ephesians 6:13
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that my disobedience to my husband—refusing to visit the doctor—was giving the enemy a way to attack my physical health. My armor was not in place. I was exposed. As my symptoms intensified, I was afraid to eat because of the pain that was sure to follow. My condition made car trips and eating out miserable. I couldn’t even enjoy a meal during special family occasions. I was at my wit’s end! Finally after more than a year, I gave in and made a doctor’s appointment.

My doctor diagnosed me with gastritis, an inflamed stomach lining. She prescribed a bland diet and medication that would repair my stomach lining and not just treat the symptoms like the medicine I had been taking. I was relieved that this condition didn’t require extensive testing and it was diagnosed easily and also treated easily. My worst fear was put to rest!

I was faithful with my new diet and the medication helped, but the symptoms returned. I became frustrated and fearful again as my husband once again encouraged me to go back to the doctor. The “what if’s” rang loud. I was caught between the misery of my symptoms and the fear of what I would have to face medically. I went back to the doctor.

This time, she was concerned about the considerable weight I had lost and ordered a sonogram on my stomach and abdomen. The results showed that both my kidneys were enlarged, so she ordered a CT scan to find out why.

A Spiritual Test

During this medical testing process I came face-to-face with a spiritual test, as well. An intense fear was wreaking havoc in my mind and emotions —the fear of the unknown, which was the whole reason I avoided going to the doctor in the first place. I felt weak and helpless. I could not overcome the enemy’s forces like I had so many times in the past by using the Word of God or Jesus’ Name with my mind. I was caught in a trap and unable to free myself.

My husband noticed I was struggling and asked me about it. After I told him what I was feeling and we talked about it, I could actually feel the deep darkness of fear depart from me and some semblance of strength and peace came back. The darkness was exposed when it was brought out into the light.

As I spoke about my fear out loud, my husband spoke life into me and strengthened me. It was like my missing piece of armor was being put in place. The devil’s arrows weren’t able to penetrate anymore. It was like a very gradual wave of comfort being poured over me. My peace returned. Praise God!

When my doctor called a couple of days later with the results of my CT scan, she was somewhat baffled because both my kidneys were completely normal, no enlargement whatsoever. She said herself it must be the grace of God and called it a miracle. She suggested no further testing and to follow up with her in a few weeks. Wow!

The Whole Armor of God

When my armor was put in place, not only did it block the devil’s darts toward my mind and emotions, but it also blocked his darts toward my body, my physical health. When I submitted to my husband and faced my fear, God restored what the devil had been stealing from me—peace of mind over my health and my food. The whole armor of God is powerful!

It was no coincidence that the day the doctor called it was Valentine’s Day, further proof that my God is my husband and my husband is my God. What a lovely gift of good news from my Lord! He is good, all the time.

Let us be very careful to put on the whole armor of God, to submit and obey. We mustn’t delay in obeying our husbands, which is actually disobedience and creates an opening for the devil’s fiery darts. The Lord has so many gifts of protection and security in place through our husbands (or the person of authority He has given us in our lives).

Let us receive them with thanksgiving, and surrender our heart, attitude and yes, even our body according to His perfect will. This is how we take up the whole armor of God. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!