RYH Chapter 1 “My Dearly Beloved”

My Dearly Beloved,

It is not by chance that you are holding this book in your hands; it is by Divine Providence. God has heard your cry for help, as He heard mine countless times, and He has come to rescue you. The pages that follow will guide you as He’s faithfully guided me when I felt and it appeared completely hopeless. "Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved...Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. let your forbearance be known to all men; the Lord is near" (Phil. 4:1, 4-5).

What He asked me to do now and many times in the past was not easy, nor will it be easy for you. But if you want a miracle in your life, it can happen. If you want a testimony to share with others on the faithfulness of God, it will happen. If you really want God to restore health that appears hopeless, read on. You can trust God to restore your health and/or the health of your loved one. He longs to do to allow others to discover the true Physician. “Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you” (Isa. 30:18). “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no Physician there? Why then has not the health of the daughter of my people been restored?” (Jer. 8:22).

The Bible says “the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (2 Chron. 16:9). He has been looking for you to help you. Are you ready?

You will need zealous obedience and complete trust in Him. You must “enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13–14). It is your choice whether to follow His narrow way now or to turn back.

This is the time to choose. “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days . . .” (Deut. 30:19–20).

If you are still reading and have not thrown this book away, then you have chosen to go on. Tears are in my eyes as I think of the glorious resurrection of your health that awaits you and/or your loved one. I pray blessings upon each and every one of the millions of people suffering from illness to find the hope He longs for each person to find. I rejoice that there will come a day when we will meet, either on this side or the other side of heaven, where there are no more tears where we will dance together.

Dearly Beloved, you can trust God to restore your health: you have His Word on it. “And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Truly I say to you, if you have faith, and do not doubt, you shall not only do what was done . . . but even if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and cast into the sea,” it shall happen’” (Matt. 21:21).

Since you are reading this book, I assume that you are in a crisis in your life because of your poor or failing health. No matter what you must believe that “all things [can] work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose” (see Rom. 8:28).

As you go through one health issue after another, if you really want things to work out for good, you must first love God and really want His purpose for your life and why He allowed this.

Right now His purpose is for you to draw closer to Him, to let Him transform you more closely into His image. And take courage, for God has said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). God has not left your side: “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me” (Ps. 23:4 KJV).

I’m sure that the “valley of the shadow of death” describes how you feel, but God has allowed this for your good and for the good of your loved one.

Only afterward will you and/or your loved one shine forth as gold. “In this you greatly rejoice, even though for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold (which is perishable) even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory and honor” (1 Pet. 1:6–7).

The most important thing for you to do right now is “Be still and know that I am God . . .” (Ps. 46:10). Then follow God’s way. Make sure that everything that you do or say follows the Scriptures; be sure that it follows the Bible consistently.

God’s intent is not to destroy you, remember it’s “the thief [the devil] who comes to steal, to kill and destroy; I [Jesus] came that [you] might have life, and might have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Don’t believe the enemy's lies but “take every thought captive” (2 Cor. 10:5).

Don’t allow the enemy to steal your life or your peace. Don’t allow him to destroy your family, your life, or your children and/or your loved one's either. The enemy wants to steal your future and your peace over your health concerns and fears. Believe me and believe others who can tell you from experience that health issues can rob you of joy and make your future, your children’s future and/or your loved one's future appear bleak and not worth living.

Follow God’s way instead. Take the hand of your Beloved as you await the restoration of your health and/or your loved one, while you rest in His arms, “‘For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken,’ says the Lord who has compassion on you” (Isa. 54:10). “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:29).

Pour over the Bible letting Him “wash you with the water of the Word” (Eph. 5:26) to cleans you from fear and disease. Pray and believe what Scripture says, not what you see, since “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). “And without faith it is impossible to please God . . .” (Heb. 11:6).

No one but God knows exactly what you are going through or the answers you need right now. Don’t look to your doctor or anyone else. If you pray (simply talk to God) and listen to Him (read His Word, the Bible), He longs to lead you to the victory over your illness that He has for you. Be very careful when choosing to follow what others may say, even specialists, or suggestions from friends (even friends in the church or pastors) who try to tell you something you have not heard FIRST from the Lord. If you are praying and reading God’s Word, God will speak to you first in your heart or during your Bible reading then someone or something will confirm the direction that you sensed He is guiding you on. It will always be consistent with what He has told, laid on your heart, or shown you first!

Too many people, experts and people think and try to convince you that they know what will help, but most of the time they’re wrong. You will remain on sinking sand. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.” When it is of God, it usually sounds crazy and it always needs the help of the Holy Spirit to carry it out.

Don’t act impulsively or be quick to do “something.” God usually says, “Wait!” and so many times during the wait, He changes everything. God is an amazing Physician waiting just to heal you. Don’t you want the best? Wouldn’t you want a Physician who can see inside of you? One who can actually heal you? There is only One who can show you what’s really going on and also be the One who can heal, not just “treat” your condition. Trust Him and Him alone! Don’t make the mistake like when “Asa became diseased in his feet. His disease was severe, yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians” (2 Chron. 16:12).

Sadly, even Christian physicians use their medical knowledge above or rather than trusting God and seeking Him for wisdom.

Doctors often use fear to get you to take test after test after test. Then they will tell you all the horrible possibilities that will keep you in fear. And once they’ve tried everything, and your condition is the same, or often worse, is then they tell you your condition is hopeless! Some never say it’s hopeless, as long as you continue to pay, but it’s how you will end up feeling.

Yet, this can be turned around for good. As soon as someone, anyone tells you that your condition is hopeless, (even if it’s you saying it to yourself) then —start to praise the Lord. Hopeless situations are exactly where the Lord chooses to show His power! “With people this is impossible but with God, all things are possible!” (Matt. 19:26).

Work with God. And don’t believe that without everyone behind you it’s impossible to continue to seek and find that narrow road that leads to life and good health! Our ministry was founded by and for those who had hopeless marriages! We witnessed first hand that all that was needed is a person’s heart and the Lord’s strength to accomplish impossibilities in marriage, finances, health—in everything! “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth that He may support those whose heart is completely His . . .” (2 Chron. 16:9).

I have had the privilege of being “counseled” by the Best Counselor and healed time and again by the most Competent and Compassionate Physician. And my greatest desire is to share everything He has revealed me through His Word. No, you're right, no two situations or conditions are exactly alike; nevertheless, His Word applies to all and His power works no matter what. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor. 1:3–4). Comforting you is the first step to your healing. As long as you are distressed, you will remain dis-eased.

Search His Word every time you face anything. “Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find . . .” (Matt. 7:7 KJV). “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:5–8).

You must have faith! And where do you get faith? From Him! Ask Him for faith, since “all good things come from above” (James 1:17).

God’s Word, His Principles

Beloved, whether you know the Bible well or even if you have never read it before, the Bible alone must be your guide to restore your health. This book that you are now reading consists of all the verses that the Lord used to guide me through the fires of trial to my first restoration, and everyone after that.

The Lord restored my marriage by showing me that I was ignorant of so many of the principles for marriage—that led to the destruction of my marriage.

Many years later, so many of these same verses, these same principles helped me find my way through restoring my health time and again. It’s the same with all who find their marriages or finances or health in shambles or completely destroyed, including anything and everything you are going through. You will soon find, if you are not aware of it yet, that it is not just me who was ignorant to God’s principles and promises. You may also find, as I did, that you may have contributed to the destruction of your own health—almost always due to ignorance. Embracing this will be the turning point as you accept and look at your life and what led you to this point in your life. If, however, you are believing for a loved one, this is none of your concern. God will reveal this in His own timing and He doesn't need you to make them aware of it.

The wisdom that I learned, from reading and rereading the verses of Scripture that the Lord led me to, helped me to understand what the Bible really was and is what I needed it to be in my life—my guide. The Bible is filled with the spiritual laws of His creation. When God created the world, He not only made it with physical laws, like the law of gravity, but He created it with spiritual laws as well.

Just as violating the physical law of gravity will result in the consequences of us stumbling or an object falling, in the same way, violating the principles in Scripture regarding your health will ultimately result in your health failing. We all know that smoking or eating junk food or living an immoral lifestyle will result in poor health. Finding your way out of this spiritually, is the first step towards the light and out of darkness.

Another amazing discovery is that the ways of the world are almost always opposite to the ways of God and His Word. The way you have been dealing with your health issues is usually the exact same way that anyone in the world would have dealt with them. What you will find, as I did, is that this is the exact opposite of the way that God intended each crisis or concern to be dealt IF we want victory over it. “. . . This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4).

When I began to follow God’s way, which was the opposite of the way everyone else was dealing with their health issues, I started to see my health turnaround—starting with running to the doctor or an emergency room rather than running to and trusting God. The ways of the world always result in destruction, but the ways of God always bring about healing and restoration. “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Gal. 6:8).

To help you get a quick start I have put together a helpful reference in this chapter to guide you to immediately get your health out of crisis and dis-ease. These principles, if followed to the letter with a sincere and humble heart, will result in an immediate or future restoration of your health—it is guaranteed, not by me, but by God in His Word.

The more a person or family or loved one follows these principles, the more restoration will be seen by everyone, all as a direct result of trust in His Word. Those who stay in crisis, remain in dis-ease, or who may never see their health fully restored, are those who refuse to believe and trust the spiritual laws of God or erroneously believe that they are above the laws of God. Or, they feel they can keep one foot (or portion of their heart) seeking their doctor’s advice and trusting them with their health. While at the same time saying they are trusting God alone. You must choose and remain free from double-mindedness. “But he must ask [God] in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways”  (James 1:6-8).

If you are one of those who believe strongly that you are not “under the law” and are therefore free to violate God’s laws, “may it never be!”

“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!” (Rom. 6:15).

“Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law” (Rom. 3:31).

“May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” (Rom. 6:2).

Those who understood the law of gravity learned to rise above it, which resulted in man being able to fly. The Christian who studies the Word of God will rise above the world and astonish the unbeliever who will then seek God for themselves (this is true “witnessing”). However, a person who believes that he is above the law of gravity, and violates that law by jumping out of a plane without a parachute, will fall to his death. This is why so many Christians live lives full of destruction.

Believe and Obey

If you are like many people who want to restore their health, not only must you believe that God can restore your health, but you also must obey His Word as you begin to learn the right thing to do. When you read this book, it might help you to remember that the book you are reading was written by someone who was desperate—desperate to follow God’s Word no matter what!! How about you? Are you willing to follow God’s Word, no matter what it costs? No matter how much the pain continues? The question you must ask yourself is “How important is restoring my health fully?”

Receive anything. If you don’t obey God with zealous obedience, you should expect nothing from Him because, as you read above, you are double-minded. “For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being double-minded, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:7–8). “I hate those who are double-minded, but I love Your law” (Ps. 119:113).

Faith by my works. If you say you have the faith to trust God for your health, act on it. “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? . . . But someone may well say, ‘You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works’” (James 2:14, 18). There are so many testimonies of those who chose to say they “believed” instead of walking in that faith. Every one of them is still “believing” but they are not healed.

Tear it out, and throw it from you. Again, how important is your desire to have a restored health? Are you desperate enough to do whatever it takes? If you don’t believe God calls us to that kind of obedience, look at what Jesus said in Matt. 5:29–30: “If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out, and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.”

Through the entire fifth chapter of Matthew, Jesus calls us to a higher obedience than what had been written in the Old Testament. Read it to motivate yourself to obey to the point of looking like a fanatic, if you don’t already. If what you are doing right now does not seem crazy to others, you need to become more radical in your commitment to your health and healing, because that’s what it takes!

We all must be like Peter in our obedience. Each time he was asked to do something, like allowing Jesus to wash his feet, he went overboard! He even went overboard when Jesus asked him to get out of the boat. He was the only one who followed Jesus with such a zealous commitment. Even so, Jesus rebuked Peter for his “little” faith (Matt. 14:31). Are you lukewarm? “So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth” (Rev. 3:16).

Trust and believe that God is able and wants to restore and rebuild your health. And through it all, your family will also be changed. God does not have any other doctor out there for you, nor does he think you’ve picked the wrong doctor. Instead of looking for someone else who you believe has all the answers, “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord” (Ps. 27:14; see also Isa. 35:4). “O give us help against the adversary [disease or affliction], for deliverance by man [or doctor] is in vain. Through God we shall do valiantly, and it is He who will tread down our adversaries [and every ailment]” (Ps. 60:11; see also Ps. 108:12)

Don’t run to one more doctor about your condition. First talk to God; search His Word for your answer. “. . . Seek and you will find” (Matt. 7:7, Luke 11:9). “He is the Mighty Counselor” (Isa. 9:6). “Do not walk in the counsel of the ungodly” (Ps. 1:1). Don’t tell others about your condition because you will find just as many solutions, which leads to confusion. Seek God for wisdom, for “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge” [Hos. 4:6].)

Also ask God for a female prayer partner who will believe God with you for your health. If you want your life and health restored, stay away from support groups!! You do not belong there if it is your desire to have God restore your health! Support groups, by in large are usually nothing more than “pity parties” or “positive thinking” or some other form of mysticism. If you want a fully restored life you have to choose now whether you want to find hope and true healing or if you want to settle for superficial healing. “They heal the brokenness of the daughter of My people superficially, Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace”—Jeremiah 8:11. “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has not the health of the daughter of my people been restored?” Jeremiah 8:22. “If medicine and doctors are plentiful, why aren’t my people healed?” Jeremiah 8:22 CEV

Instead of joining any type of group, we strongly suggest that you pray and ask the Lord for just one other woman who will walk this Restoration Journey with you. All I’ve ever had during any one of my Restoration Journey’s was one other woman and the Lord. All you need is one other person and the Lord! You can find an Encouragement Partner who understands what you are going through on our website.

Keep this promise in mind, “Then an abundance of spoils will be divided and even the lame will carry off the plunder.” Isaiah 33:23 NIV.

Stop all arguing or disputing with everyone. This one principle is powerful and can often mean the difference in health being restored. There are so many Scriptures on this topic, pages and pages I could type out for you. Here are just a few: “Agree with your adversary quickly”! (Matt. 5:25 KJV). And if He says to agree with people who are opposed to what you believe or say, it means just being an “agreeable” person.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov. 15:1). “The beginning of strife is like letting out of water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out” (Prov. 17:14). “Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise . . .” (Prov. 17:28).

“She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue” (Prov. 31:26). “Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel” (Prov. 20:3). And, “He who separates himself seeks his own desire, he quarrels against all sound wisdom” (Prov. 18:1). Have you been a contentious or argumentative woman? (We would encourage you to read chapter 6, “A Contentious Woman,” and chapter 8, “Won Without a Word,” in A Wise Woman book or our Rebuilder’s Course to learn more that is causing you to perish. Go to RMIEW.COM)

Remove any hate or hurt and look lovingly into everyone’s eyes. “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed” (Ps. 34:5). “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Matt. 23:12, Luke 14:11, Luke 18:14). Peter asked how many times he should forgive his brother who had sinned against him. “Seven times?” he suggested. But Jesus replied, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matt. 18:22). That’s 490 times!

Have you decided not to forgive someone for what that person has done to you or to your children? The lack of forgiveness is very dangerous to you and your future restoration. It could be why you are DISeased or some other cancer has been allowed to grow. (For more knowledge, read the section entitled “Forgiveness” in chapter 9, “A Gentle and Quiet Spirit” that is also in A Wise Woman or the Rebuilder’s Course.)

You must begin to see your future as God sees it. But before you can see your future, you need to first forgive everyone you hold anything against—family, friends, co-workers, neighbors or your boss—anyone and everyone! (Again, see the section entitled “Forgiveness” in chapter 9, “A Gentle and Quiet Spirit,” to learn more about the dangers of not forgiving.)

Once you have, you can then begin to look at all the good things God is doing. Stop looking at all the bad things that are happening and replace it with asking God to show you all the good that He is doing, which may good He has done for you in the past that you never appreciated or praise Him or thanked Him for.

Thank God for everything and take the time to thank others who the Lord shows you. Many times it’s not just getting your heart right with God, but getting things right with others that has allowed this illness to wreak havoc in your life. Go to others and repent before you do anything else just as it says in Matthew 5:22-24 “But I [Jesus] say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”

And don’t be fooled to think you need to wait until the other person offers their apologies first. This arrogance originates from the enemy who is out to “steal, kill and destroy you.” By waiting you are allowing bitterness to take root in your heart—which affects your health: physically and spiritually! Instead, “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord [show up]. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled by it”— Hebrews 12:14-15. Like the Amplified Bible explains, “Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God’s grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it.”

Once you have repented, do not keep repenting to someone. This can be counterproductive and can keep you from moving on in your Restoration Journey. Also, whether or someone accepts your apology is not the issue. As long as you are doing it with a heart of humility and obedience to God and nothing more—He sees it and will reward you accordingly.

Speak kindly and lovingly to everyone, always. “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Prov. 16:24). “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones” (Prov. 17:22, Prov. 18:14). Inside the bone is life-giving marrow and is where the blood originates from. “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart”—Hebrews 4:12.

You don’t have to be joyful about your failing health— just be joyful that God has everything under His control. “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12:11).

Don’t listen to unfavorable reports from anyone who tries to give you bad report about your condition. Love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails” (1 Cor. 13:7–8). Maybe your tests says you're not improving, yet in your heart, you know you are. This is when you can hope against all hope just as Abraham did. “In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken”—Romans 4:18.

Sometimes it is your family or closest friends who try to persuade you to look for another doctor or try something that helped them. It’s difficult when you are desperate not to try something for fear you might miss God, just as you will read in an upcoming testimony from Linda.

You must separate yourself from those who attempt to lead you astray from His ability to heal you. “Leave the presence of a fool or you will not discern words of knowledge” (Prov. 14:7).  And because you will receive much advice that is contrary to the will and the Word of God with people who are eager to offer advice, don’t share your situation with anyone! Ultimately it can bring about self-pity or fear! These emotions are of the flesh and will war against your spirit and faith. God says in Galatians 5:17, “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” Listening, discussing, or seeking help for your symptoms will also bring in confusion, since most Christians do not really know the Word of God or trust His ability to heal. Even pastors who may pray for you are quick to advise you not to trust God but seek a reliable physician. Unless someone has “walked on the same water” and experienced supernatural healing, will disregard or minimize God’s promises for us as believers— when you desperately need the entire uncompromised Word of God to restore your health. So again, keep your concerns and needs close to your heart so you can ponder them often.

Do not try to find out what your symptoms mean. That means using a search engine like everyone else who lives in the world. Instead, do what God says to do: “Let your eyes look directly in front of you. Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be established” (Prov. 4:25). “Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught” (Prov. 3:25–26). Again, remember that love “believes all things” (1 Cor. 13:7). So believe that He loves you enough and wants to heal you.

Do not argue with anyone over your health issues. So often we desperately want others to agree with what we’re doing, but due to a lack of their faith or even simply due to them being very concerned about us, we can’t expect anyone to really understand. Again, remember, love “believes all things . . .” (1 Cor. 13:7) so think the best of anyone who tries to oppose you.

You must remember at all times that this is a spiritual war. As in all wars, it is foolish and dangerous to let the enemy know your plans. No battle in the Bible was ever won by revealing inside information from the Lord! Nor does it tell us to reveal enemy movements. Instead, the Bible warns us to fight this as a spiritual war! First Timothy 1:18 says to “fight the good fight.” “We do not war according to the flesh” (2 Cor. 10:3). We are told instead to “be of sober spirit [which literally means wake up], be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).

Your family, friends (or others) who appear to be working with the enemy, in order to enslave you to this disease you have, are not the enemy, so again, don’t allow this to discourage or anger you. It’s important that you stay in an environment of peace.

Don’t act hastily in any decision. At this difficult time in your life, often you are not thinking clearly and are most certainly acting on emotion (like fear) rather than wisdom. “And he who makes haste with his feet errs” (Prov. 19:2). “The prudent man considers his steps” (Prov. 14:15). “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 16:25, Prov. 14:12).

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord” (Prov. 16:33). “A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil” (Prov. 14:16). Don’t be in a hurry to make decisions like having surgery or doing more tests since there are just as many errors as there are successes.

Have you gone to others with your needs, your fears, or your problems—only to have everyone let you down or even reject you? Memorize these promises: “My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory” (Phil. 4:19). “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, yes, wait on the Lord” (Ps. 27:13).

“When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Prov. 16:7). “Strength and dignity are her clothing and she smiles at the future” (Prov. 31:25). Instead of pleading for help, take this opportunity to thank everyone and especially spend a lot of time praising the Lord. This is God’s way of dealing with difficulties; it’s called contentment.

Part of your problem may have been your stressful career outside the home. Since God said to wait for things, we instead move ahead and change things, so very soon you have “needed to go to work” and are now in debt, which caused the stress and disease. Satan is a thief!

Don’t allow your children to see your pain or know all the details of your suffering. Do all that you can to shield your children from what is going on. Sharing with them about your health problems will only cause them to fear. Instead, continue to build your life and your children’s future. “A wise woman builds her house but the foolish tears it down with her own hands” (Prov. 14:1). The Lord has allowed these trials in your life, and your children’s lives, for a time, in order to draw you all closer to Him, accomplish His work in all of you, and then draw you together as a stronger family for His glory! “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed” (Ps. 34:5).

Don’t allow your children to become unruly. “A child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother” (Prov. 29:15). Instead of allowing them to vent, use this time to teach them to trust and pray for you in faith. When they’re struggling with, use this opportunity to teach them to rely on God for comfort and faith. “For He has said ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Heb. 13:5). Your children are confused and frightened right now, so give them clear directions. (For more knowledge, see “Your Mother’s Teachings,” in A Wise Woman.) Again, you will have trouble enforcing this if you exhibit a lack of control over your ever-changing emotions.

Be careful not to choose the “easiest” road. So many cures or treatments may seem like the easiest road, but in the end, it is the road to even more pain, difficulties, and suffering than you are now experiencing. We, who have gone through difficult health issues, want to warn you against following the “experts” who will lead you astray, which always ends in disaster! If the world is pushing it, as Christians, we know it is the wide road to destruction.

Narrow is the way that leads to life, and few are those who find it! “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13–14). You must look for that narrow way in all your decisions and in the way you handle the trials that will come your way now and in the future due to you trusting the Lord.

Please be careful what you read. Again, searching on the internet or finding a book on the condition you were given as a diagnosis can fill your mind with solutions that are not from Him. These destructive hopes that are contrary to God’s principles of simply following Him will cause the restoration of your health to go backward, not forward. We have learned the hard way that when we looked to anything in our desperation it was disastrous. So, instead, renew your mind with God’s Word. If you meditate on His Word, God promises in Psalm 1 that you will prosper in everything that you do!!

Look to God and to those of “like mind” to encourage you to believe God for your health. Please go to the Counselor (God’s Word), which is free, and save your money and your health. God wants you to Himself! Stay away from all the “professionals” unless God leads you to someone. Every professional has his or her ways and beliefs of what will cure you—when in fact they are simply “treating” the symptoms. There are thousands of physicians and everyone claims to know the answers. If they knew all the answers, why is there an epidemic of diseases that are not cured but are just masked by dulling the pain?

Where do you begin? What should you do? Begin to move your demolished life onto the rock. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock” (Matt. 7:24–25). “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands” (Prov. 14:1). “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches” (Prov. 24:3–4).

Praise God in all things. “Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15). “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4).

Take every thought captive. “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).

Begin to renew your mind to be like Christ’s and to look down at your situation like God does, from above. Get A Wise Woman and work through it with a friend to rebuild your life that He plans to help you live!! Get a “Bible Promise Book” from your local Christian bookstore (very inexpensive) and put it in your bathroom. Many women use this as their prayer closet when they have children or a husband in the home and need a place to be alone. It is a place of refuge and you can pour over His promises to you.

Get 3x5 cards and write down different Bible verses that you can use to renew your mind, to fight in the Spirit (the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God), or to run to when you experience an attack of fear, doubt, or lies. Keep these with you and read them over and over again. Stop talking so much about your problems; listen to God and read His Word. Psalm 1 gives you a promise: “His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” Practically speaking, if you read and reread this book to the point of wearing it out or take the time to make 3x5 cards with the Scriptures you need, you can’t help but meditate on His Word. Almost every woman I have met who has experienced restored health did one or both of these things.

No one’s health is too far gone!

Matthew 19:26—
And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Mark 10:27—
Looking at them, Jesus said, "With people it is impossible, but not with God ; for all things are possible with God."

Luke 1:37—
"For nothing will be impossible with God."

Luke 18:27—
But He said, "The things that are impossible with people are possible with God."

Psalm 37:4—
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

Isaiah 30:18—
“Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for Him.”

Matthew 6:33—
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Isaiah 40:2—
“Speak kindly . . . And call out to her, that her warfare has ended, that her iniquity has been removed, that she has received of the LORD'S hand DOUBLE for all her sins.”

Isaiah 61:7-8—
“Instead of your shame you will have a DOUBLE portion, and instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion Therefore they will possess a DOUBLE portion in their land, Everlasting joy will be theirs. For I, the LORD, love justice, I hate robbery . . . And I will faithfully give them their recompense And make an everlasting covenant with them.”

How long? Many women have asked me “how long” they will suffer with poor health or battle a disease. It may help you if you think about it as a journey. How long it takes often depends on you. As the Lord shows you an area that He is working on, work with Him. Do not become sidetracked with everyday life or get absorbed with thinking of each of your symptoms or what the prognosis is.

Many times God is not healing you physically now because He wants you to lie down and rest in order to restore your soul.

Psalm 23: 1-3—
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He MAKES ME lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.”

If there is one scripture that will calm you, is this one that you need to read each and every time you are impatient for Him to move on your behalf:

Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV

The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.