RYH Chapter 2 “The Potter and the Clay”

Dear Sufferer,

When we are going through any crisis, with our health or anything and everything else, it is so easy to focus on what is happening to us or maybe even on what someone else is “doing” or “has done TO us”— like our doctors or our families who believe they have the answers. However, as long as you focus on this, you will struggle and never come to experience a breakthrough. What’s important is to do your best not to focus on the enemy attacks in whatever form he tries to get to us.

When I say “has done TO us” it may be relatable to you, but more so if what you’re enduring is due in any way to malpractice. Almost all of the ailments I battle daily come from the injustice of a doctor who either ignorantly or accidentally caused me ongoing pain and suffering. The good news is that injustice comes with it’s own set of blessings!

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.”

Even if it was you who chose the doctor or agreed to the surgery or procedure or promised cure that resulted in permanent damage, He’s got that covered too!

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.” 

In this chapter, you’ll learn that God, many times, is not changing our condition because God is using this very thing as the Potter’s wheel while His hands are molding us more into His image. However, if we complain because we would rather He use something or someone else as His wheel—we will find ourselves wandering in the desert land and suffering for years—which is not His plan!

Exodus 15:26 KJV, “And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” 

Quarrel with his Maker? “‘Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker’—an earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’ or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?” (Isa. 45:9). Let God be God. Instead of complaining about “how” or “what” or even “who” He uses to finally get our attention to the point that we begin really seeking and trusting God (so that He can change us spiritually and then physically), I encourage you to instead use this time and energy to praise Him for His faithfulness! He is determined to bring you forth as a beautiful vessel ready for His use.

2 Timothy 2:20-22, “Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” 

But you don’t understand. Many women tell me as I try to comfort them or encourage them that I “just don’t understand!” Well, the truth is, I probably do understand since I have been battling many of my ailments since I was in high school. Yet, you are right because no one except Jesus can really understand or live with you in an understanding way as with a weaker vessel” (1 Peter 3:7) as only a heavenly Husband can do. Once you understand and begin looking at Him as your Husband (Isaiah 54:4-6) then I could say you simply don’t understand what you’re missing . “. . . Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay, that what is made would say to its maker, . . . ‘He has no understanding’?” (Isa. 29:16). Talk to Him about your situation as often as you can, then allow Him to give you the peace you may be lacking. He knows what’s best for you, what to do next, so work with Him.

You are in His hand. “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand . . .” (Jer. 18:6). Isn’t it comforting to know that you are in God’s hands? Though everyone else may not be there for you, He is. Who else do you need? The truth is that your family and friends do care, they simply have no idea how to really help. So relieve them of this burden and turn to the one who can carry you through it.

God’s Prescription

God has a prescription for healing a nation or a family or an individual. He says if “My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14).

God told us that if we would humble ourselves, if we pray, if we seek His face (not His hand) and turn from our wicked ways, then He will hear—hear, forgive, and heal us. Instead, we “walk in the counsel of the wicked” (Ps. 1:1) and “trust in mankind” (Jer. 17:5), so now we suffer the consequences—superficial healing! “The brokenness of His people is healed superficially” (Jer. 8:11). “And they have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14). If there was one principle in the Bible that I believe depicts superficial healing it’s how doctors don’t really or are capable, for the most part, to heal. They may cut something out, or “treat” a symptom, but very few ailments are healed by doctors. So let’s go to the Source and get healed—in His timing and according to His promises.

Habakkuk 2:2-3, “Then the LORD answered me and said, ‘Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that he one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, WAIT for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.’”

Only the Humble

Humble yourself. Self-willed, haughty and angry individuals understand the Word without the Spirit, but to know the mind of God and be led by Him, we need humility! 

Humility will be tested. “. . . He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not” (Deut. 8:2).

Humility will save you. “When you are cast down, you will speak with confidence and the humble person He will save” (Job 22:29).

Humility will strengthen your heart. “O Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear . . .”(Ps. 10:17).

Only the humble will be exalted. “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has exalted those who were humble” (Luke 1:52).

Only the humble will be given the grace that they need. “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, ‘GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.’ Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” (James 4:6, 10). 

Humility is rooted in the spirit. “To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit . . .” (1 Pet. 3:8). And don’t mistake true humility for false humility, which will be manifested in a self-righteous attitude and often becoming a martyr in our illnesses—drawing attention to yourself rather than your life pointing to the goodness of God.

“To the Healer, I Went”

My praise today is not just from this past week, but the entire 4 weeks of the RRR Course: Rebuilding My Life. It all began in the days between Course 1 and 2 that I spent reflecting, reviewing, and SG and His Word. His precious love led me to fast Facebook for the entire course so that I would have more time to spend with Him. Now that's the kind of 'Soulmate' we all desire! I can honestly say, that I have not missed FB for even one minute.

One of the main things that I have been seeking God and His Word for is my health. Although I have lost a significant amount of weight, exercise regularly, and eat a heart-healthy diet, I still struggle with a family history of high blood pressure in women. I have always believed that the Great Physician is able to heal. Meanwhile, the health share portion that I pay monthly jumped up due to my recent birthday. (I don't have traditional health insurance but am part of one of several health care ministries.) I was told there was a 20% healthy discount available, but my previous blood pressure numbers were just outside the range of acceptance.

So to The Healer, I went!

In those extra hours provided by fasting Facebook, My Beloved led me to a very familiar Scripture (Prov. 3:5-6) which is part of a relatively lengthy passage (vs. 5-12). First of all, Proverbs' thoughts are usually only one or two verses in length. My Loving Companion gave me an entire 'message' from Proverbs 3:5-12:

#1 Trust/Obedience leads to Healing (vs. 5-8),
#2 Giving leads to Blessing (vs. 9-10), and
#3 Instruction (discipline) equals Love (vs. 11-12).

The portion I'm praising my HH for today is the healing. Earlier this week, as I was studying Day 25: Wk4: "Medicate or Heal?" I was prompted to re-check my 'numbers'. Praise You, Dear Husband!!! They are now within the acceptable range to qualify for the health discount!! (P.S. I believe this is a direct result of Trusting and Obeying God's Word, fasting FB & other distractions, and faithfully tithing to my storehouse.) My wonderful Heavenly Husband, the Great Physician Himself, is my Healer. All the glory goes to Him!

"Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil. It will be health to your body [your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles—all your inner parts] And refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones." Proverbs 3:7-8 (The Amplified Bible)

Trusting and obedience will lead you to your healing, Dear friend. Turning 'entirely' away from evil in any form.

Seek My face. “If . . . My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face . . .” (2 Chron. 7:14). “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually” (1 Chron. 16:11). “. . . seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me” (Hos. 5:15).

They were radiant. “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed” (Ps. 34:5). Seek His face! So many seek His hand (what He can do for me). Those who seek the face of God will inherit all things—including health and healing!

Turn from your wicked ways. “If . . . My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways . . .” (2 Chron. 7:13). Scriptures are not only for the head; they are for the heart and the will. To get the real impact of Scripture, we must surrender our lives and our wills to the leading of the Spirit. We must be willing to be made over. We must yield to Him.

To obey is better than sacrifice. “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Sam. 15:22). Do you know the right thing to do, yet you do not do it? Obey it! “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).

Walk in the Spirit

Walk in the Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit will enable you to live in the Spirit, not in sin or fleshly desires. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit right now! “And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances” (Ezek. 36:27). “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16). (For more information on being “filled with the Holy Spirit,” watch or listen to the new “Be Encouraged” series. Once you are “filled,” you will have the power that you never had before to make it through to restorative victory!)

Pray. “If . . . My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray . . .” (2 Chron. 7:13–16). We can always trust God to bring about everything for our good because “we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Though you may “feel” that your ailment is a punishment or curse, it’s not. There is a greater purpose and the more we become pure in heart, the closer we become to the Lord, and the more we wash ourselves in His Word, the more we will see the many benefits to what we have been suffering through.

What “Condition” Is Needed to Be Heard?

Conform your desires to His will. Jesus’ promise is based on this condition: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7). When your heart rests in Jesus alone and your will is centered in His will, you are truly making Him Lord. To know His will is to know His Word. It is His will that your health be restored. He clearly said in Exodus 15:26 (ERV) “I am the Lord who heals you.”

The condition for every blessing. Each promise given by God has a condition for that blessing. Many will claim a portion of the Scripture, yet omit the conditions or overlook them.

Condition: “Believe on the Lord Jesus . . .”

Promise: “. . . and you shall be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Condition: “Delight yourself in the Lord . . .”

Promise: “. . . and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Ps. 37:4).

Condition: “Train up a child in the way he should go . . .”

Promise: “. . . even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6).

Condition: First, “to those who love God . . .”

And secondly, “. . . to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Promise: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good . . .” (Rom. 8:28.) 

We just read above “I am the Lord who heals you.” but the entire verse also includes His conditions  “I am the Lord your God. If you listen to me and do what I say is right, and if you obey all my commands and laws, THEN I will not give you any of the sicknesses that I gave the Egyptians. I am the Lord who heals you.” (Exodus 15:26 ERV).

Your Tears Are Precious to Him

To whom do we cry? When we cry very often we make other people uncomfortable or worse, they become indifferent to us. The fact that God is a jealous God and those tears belong to Him could be the reason for our any indifference to us and to our tears. “Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am’” (Isa. 58:9). “Do not cease to cry to the Lord our God for us” (1 Sam. 7:8). It’s not important to fight tears, but if you turn your face to the wall and cry to HIM, He can do so much that anyone and everyone else never could.

Hezekiah’s Illness

“At that time Hezekiah became sick and almost died. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to see him and told him, “The Lord says, ‘You will die soon, so you should tell your family what they should do when you die. You will not get well.’”

“Hezekiah turned his face to the wall that faced the Temple and began crying to the Lord. “Lord, remember that I have sincerely served you with all my heart. I have done what you say is good.” Then Hezekiah cried very hard.

“Before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, he received this message from the Lord,  “Go back and speak to Hezekiah, the leader of my people. Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I heard your prayer and I saw your tears, so I will heal you. On the third day you will go up to the Temple of the Lord. I will add 15 years to your life. I will save you and this city from the king of Assyria. I will protect this city. I will do this for myself and because of the promise I made to my servant David.’” 2 Kings 20 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) 

The victory Hezekiah experienced and what you are trusting God for may take longer to be manifested in the flesh: Remember, we hope for the things that are unseen. It will need our faith in God’s promises and be sure to cry to Him alone, not to your family or caregivers! Only God has the power to change your situation and heal you—first in the spirit granting you peace—then when you are no longer DIS-eased, you will be heal and whole!

My tears. “I am weary with my sighing; every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears” (Ps. 6:6). “My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all day long” (Ps. 42:3). “Put my tears in Thy bottle; are they not in Thy book?” (Ps. 56:8). “Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting” (Ps. 126:5). “‘Yet even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping, and mourning . . .’” (Joel 2:12). To find a greater walk and intimacy with the Lord, sign up for one of our many newsletters, to read our Daily Devotional, Streams in the Desert, Psalms & Proverbs, and many praise reports that will help keep you Encouraged!

Tears, crying out, wailing. You must find and write down Scriptures that will help you understand the heart-felt sincerity needed when we cry out to God (especially for our health). As you read through them, mark those that move your heart and memorize them throughout the day as you continually communion with the Lord. We are told to pray and to cry out to God.

Another Testimony

Good Morning Ladies!

Recently I have been praying for God to give me wisdom, revelation and knowledge. He is so faithful to His word.

I, like many of you, am going through the restoration of my health. I can tell you it has been a very difficult journey! But well worth it. For the last 5 years, I have been struggling with health issues. In June, I underwent major surgery for cancer even though I have no medical insurance.

Due to having the best Husband in the world, not only did He provide me with Christian doctors and nurses, but I also had one of the best surgeons in the state of Washington and all of my medical bills were paid except for $20.00 that I gladly paid. WOW!

The outcome of my surgery was also nothing short of a miracle. The cancer was in stage one (unlike what everyone first feared and what I was told) and it did not spread to any other areas in my body either, which was also predicted. The doctor told me I was in a very small percentage to have this outcome for the type of cancer I had——Praise God!

Even though I am free from cancer, I still have health issues and have had to drastically change my eating habits and take better care of myself. This is where the wisdom and knowledge and understanding come in... I have been struggling for the longest time to make these changes in my life, relying on my flesh to change my flesh. I do well for a while and then fail miserably. What He showed me was that I needed to give it totally to Him and trust Him to change what needs to be changed and expect Him to help me and give me the right desires.

Granted, I am to do my best to eat right and take care of myself, but He also showed me I have been focusing on cutting off the bad fruit instead of getting to the root of the health issues. Even though I don't know all the root causes to my health issues, I have to trust Him with my whole heart and that He has total control of this situation in my life. I have had to fight fear on many levels.

He also impressed on my heart to take my focus off of my health issues and focus on praying and encouraging other people that need healing. God's ways are not our ways and we have to trust Him that He knows what is best for us. I know many of you, like myself, would like instant healing...however, it’s not my will but His will and His will is perfect.

I believe He wants to heal us completely and thoroughly so it is a finished work. Therefore, I realize instant healing isn't always best for us. God wants to go deep inside and get all the junk out. So not only are we healed and walking in divine health, but we are also changed from the inside out and He will get all the Glory!!! Be Blessed!

~ Linda in Washington

Not only did Linda go through cancer, but just prior to that she also watched her own daughter’s mental health come under attack!

Hello everyone,

I am so excited to share this praise report. It might be a little long so bear with me. As some of you remember about a year ago there was a crisis concerning my daughter. For those of you that don't know what happen, to make a long story short, she had a total mental breakdown and went crazy. On four different occasions, she was put into a mental institution. 

During this very difficult time in our lives, one principle I strongly held onto was letting go of my daughter and trusting God with her. She ended up going to Maui, Hawaii to stay with her older brother when she was at her worst. And her brother had not realized the severity of her condition until she got there. He called me extremely upset telling me he didn't know who this person was but it was not his sister! I was also chastised for letting my daughter go to Maui and for not being a good parent because I was not taking action in helping her get better. But I felt at peace in my heart that this was His plan and the one time I did try to get her "help" God blocked it. He showed me I was taking on false guilt that the enemy was trying to put on me for not doing enough.

So I knew I just need to let go and trust Him, regardless of what anyone said to me. I had to walk in faith and not listen to the lies of the enemy. The first four months my daughter was in Maui were really rough. There were many occasions that God intervened and kept her from great harm. I even got a few calls in the middle of the night that were pretty scary. He also put Christian people in my daughter's life who prayed for her and took her to church and loved her for who she was and did not try to change her. I can't really tell you how it happen (only Who did it) because she just started changing little by little and it happened in a short period of time—only about the span of a month and a half. It was nothing short of a miracle!!! She went from being totally crazy to coming back to her right mind. WOW! I didn't "do" anything. I simply trusted God to do it and not allow anything or anyone to get in His way!

Not only that, but she was even better than she was before any of this happened!! One amazing change is that her heart is much softer and more open to the Lord. A few months ago I had surgery for cancer (that we shared above) and her brother bought a plane ticket for her to come home and take care of me while I was recovering!! Not only did she decide to stay in Washington, but she also began living with me—which is an answer to one of my prayers. God is so awesome!!

Not only did He heal my daughter but He also brought her back home to help me. Along with her coming home, one of my biggest prayers has been to be the Godly example to my daughter and to be able to teach her how to be a Godly woman, which like many of you, I failed so miserably as she was growing up. Thank you Jesus for second chances!!! I am hoping to go through A Wise Woman Bible Study Rebuilding my life with my daughter, but, only in His timing and as He leads.

Join me in giving HIM, all the Praise and Glory!!! What a mighty God we serve, amen??

~ Linda in Washington

My Own Family's Testimony!

Soon after I read Linda’s testimony above concerning her cancer, stating that she paid only $20 for her surgery, my own daughter-in-law came over for breakfast with exciting news. She said that it had been over a year since her second son was born, and they still had never gotten a bill for the hospital. She reminded me that they had prepaid for and planned for a midwife to deliver the baby, hoping for a V-Back (vaginal birth after a C-Section). But when complications arose it ended up that she had a second C-Section, which financially they were not prepared for.

When she and my son realized they had never paid anything towards this bill, she said she called to find out how much it was and to set up monthly payments. The shock was, that no matter how much the financial office staff looked, they could find NO outstanding bill! After more than an hour they told my daughter-in-law "as far as the hospital is concerned your birth was paid in full!!!!" My daughter-in-law said that it should have been at least $75,000 based on what they paid at the same hospital for their first son!

They Praised God for what He had done and I reminded them that I knew it was because they tithe faithfully, and on top of this, many times I've witnessed just how honest a couple they are.

As if to confirm what I said, a few hours later my son came over to do some maintenance work on my ministry office. While he was up on a ladder I mentioned to him to "remember to make sure he used my tax-exempt card" for all his purchases. Not understanding what I meant, he said that unless the tools or supplies would clearly be used for something for the ministry, that there is no way he would use the card, “I would never risk missing the ‘favor of God’ on my life for doing something dishonest” he said. Even though that's exactly what I meant, our misunderstanding showed me the truth of this promise from God: “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it”— Proverbs 22:6. As a mother, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth”— 3 John 1:4.

"Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments"—Deuteronomy 7:9

“Then all your people will be righteous;

They will possess the land forever,

The branch of My planting,

The work of My hands,

That I may be glorified.

“The smallest one will become a clan,

And the least one a mighty nation.

I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time.”

Isaiah 60: 21-22

Personal commitment: to allow God to change me. “Based on what I have learned from God’s Word, I commit to allowing God to change and heal me through whatever means or through whomever He chooses. I will focus my attention on changing myself, from the inside out, rather than expecting anyone but the Lord to do it.”

If you have a testimony of how you struggled, then overcame this or any other difficulty PLEASE 

SUBMIT AN “Overcoming a Hurdle” PRAISE REPORT CLICK HERE. 

Please also take time to read these:

Testimonies of Physical Pain & Suffering Healed!  ★★★★★ Testimonies

And since emotional suffering could have led to your physical disease, please also take time to read Testimonies of Emotional Pain & Suffering Healed! ★★★★★ Testimonies