A Testimony of Healing from Intractable Back Pain
Copyright © 2017 Hilary Ford
Some years ago, something happened that
changed my life dramatically. I went
into hospital for a seemingly simple operation to remove a cyst on my lower
back. A minor operation requiring an
overnight stay. I returned home post-op
to recover. However, unfortunately I
began to experience a great deal of pain, which became progressively worse. I had limited actions; I was unable to walk
very far and sitting was almost impossible.
I returned to the hospital and was given some injections and other pain
control, although the only real relief was lying down.
Having never suffered with back issues
previously this was truly devastating. I
was referred to a neurosurgeon who informed me that what originally they
thought was a cyst was in fact a neuro melanoma nerve tumour, which had not
been removed correctly, that led to nerve endings being exposed and were
continuing to send pain signals to the brain.
The neurosurgeon performed a second
operation and undertook further pain injections which did not make any
difference. I was advised to accept the
situation and adjust my life accordingly, i.e. to simply accept I would have to
deal with the pain! It was at this point
that I was discharged because of my condition.
At this time, the minister from the
military camp where I worked visited me at home and gave me communion. I was a Christian but had never had a
relationship with Jesus. The days seemed
long and painful, and most of the time I was restricted to lying down. I began to read my Bible which made me
concentrate on what I could do and stop grieving what I had lost. I started to pray for others who were ill and
suffering. When the minister visited
again I asked him if he thought God could heal.
He said yes! At last, something
positive.
People would call round and visit me at
home. The minister would often visit me
on Thursday mornings. I hadn’t realised
that my home was becoming a house of prayer.
I loved the Chris Bowater Christian songs that were popular at that
time. My favourite was ‘The Spirit of
the Lord is upon me’ because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor,
which I found in Isaiah 61. Another was
‘Holy Spirit, we welcome you’ and ‘I am a new creation’. God was using the music and words to renew
my mind.
I spent a lot of time praying for people
who were suffering. Faith had begun a
new work in my heart and I really started to believe that I could be
healed. My spirit was being lifted up
and I knew where the battle was; I just knew that somehow I needed to get to
that place where I would be healed.
Often friends would lend me Christian
books and tapes. I was given some by a
gentleman who actually had met Smith Wigglesworth. As a result of this, his life had been changed
around. He lived his whole life in
faith. I listened to those tapes over
and over. The faith message was very
strong and I got to know most of them off by heart! During this time God had put some amazing
people in my life. I wanted to become
like them. I was so hungry for God’s
word that I did Bible studies at home, often lying on the floor! But, unbeknown to me, I was about to leave
that all behind and start walking again.
Norman Walker did a number of visits in
Nuneaton and he came to visit me at home.
How that came to happen must surely have been a miracle. He asked me about how I was changing and
needed God’s word, and I told him that more than anything I wanted to be
well. He told me that when God’s
precious word drops from your head into your heart and spirit, you can
accomplish anything, and he said, “BY HIS STRIPES YOU ARE HEALED” (Isa.
53:5-6).
I took Norman’s word and believed. I declared God’s truth over myself time
and time again.
In the morning, I woke up and told myself
I can do this, and I can do all of the things I need to through Christ who
strengthens me. I was taking
God’s word like medicine. The pain
was receding and I literally felt myself improving.
I kept a diary of my successes and the
failures. God was always on my side,
willing me on. My healing came slowly,
but it was complete. I cannot really
begin to express the freedom and joy of God’s healing. It was rather like being in love with this
guy from Galilee. I should not joke, but I was extremely happy; I was like a mad person telling everyone what God
had done for me. I continue to be amazed
by his love and compassion. My family
are truly amazing; we have truly been blessed.
My church family and pastors are second-to-none. I can only say how much I love my heavenly
Father and how blessed I feel for getting to know Jesus and having a personal
relationship with the Holy Spirit.
HF
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