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The Thorn in the Flesh can also be God’s Grace
Hello, I’m a preacher of the True Jesus Church, and I have a testimony to share with you, which is about a health issue—deafness. Let me share how this health issue has made me serve the Lord with a more dedicated attitude.
“and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” (2 Corinthians 5:15)
This incident occurred after I had served the Lord as a preacher for over twenty years. I was driving home after a general assembly meeting for the church, my left ear suddenly lost its hearing, leaving only a sharp, metallic sound. It happened just three days before a pastoral trip that required a five-and-a-half-hour flight. I couldn’t help but worry that my ear condition would worsen due to the changes in air pressure during the flight.
I was scheduled to deliver three sermons on the following Friday and Sabbath. I became increasingly anxious about the accuracy of the interpretation because I was struggling to hear, even though the person speaking was right next to me. A Deaconess noticed my abnormal behavior and asked about my condition. Realizing the severity of the situation, she took me to a nearby clinic immediately. The diagnosis was an ear infection. The doctor tried some temporary treatments, but they didn’t seem to work. During the closing prayer of the Sabbath afternoon service, I prayed earnestly, asking for God’s help. Thank God, I distinctly felt His comfort and peace in my heart after the prayer.
That same night, my ninety-two-year-old father-in-law, who is a Deacon of our church, made the trip to my house after learning of my ear infection. He came specifically to lay hands on me and pray for me. It is indeed a rare grace for a preacher to receive the laying on of hands. After the prayer, he gave me solemn instructions: “Go ahead with your trip; you will get better gradually, and your ear will fully recover.” I truly admired his faith. I left behind the struggle of whether to delay or cancel the pastoral trip and decided to take a leap of faith.
Thanks to the prayers of my family and the church members, and, of course, thanks to God’s mercy, my flight was peaceful. I felt no pain from the pressure in my ear. However, my ear condition hadn’t improved much, even though I had completed the course of medication before the trip.
The dormitory I stayed in during the trip faced a busy and noisy street, but because my hearing was still muffled, I was able to enjoy good-quality sleep at night. It was truly God’s grace that this thorn in the flesh gave me peace at night so that I could concentrate on my pastoral work even better!
As my father-in-law predicted, my ear infection gradually improved, and the sharp metallic sound faded during the trip. Four days after arrival, I could faintly hear the sounds of the busy street when I covered my right ear. A few more days later, I received a call from a church brother. After talking to him for a few minutes, I suddenly realized that I was holding my phone to my left ear, the one with the infection — and I could hear every word! I couldn’t suppress my emotion and crying out, “Thank God!” The entire pastoral trip lasted for about a month. By the end of the trip, my hearing had fully recovered, and the ringing had disappeared.
This experience further solidified my commitment as a servant of God. I can now relate to and empathize with those who have hearing impairments. Deafness could have been a stumbling block, but it is because of God’s grace that I am resolved to serve the Lord with a more dedicated attitude, and to listen to Him more attentively, so that I won’t miss any of His whispering.
“Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways, And how small a whisper we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26:14)
Come join us to learn how to capture the whisper of God. We look forward to seeing you and worshiping our true God together. Join us in the upcoming Fall Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation (ESSC) in September.
Thursday, September 26, 2024 6:50PM to 8:10PM
Friday and Saturday, September 27-28, 2024 9:00AM to 8:10PM
Sunday, September 29, 2024 9:00AM to 1:00PM
Complimentary lunch and dinner will be served.
Our church address is as follows:
True Jesus Church
4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
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In the meantime, please feel free to join us for our regular Sabbath (Friday evening and Saturday) services online or in-person.
Friday Evening Service: 7:50PM – 9:00PM
Saturday Morning Service: 10:50AM – 12:00Noon
Saturday Afternoon Service: 1:30PM – 2:40PM
Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org