Pain is inevitable, which we all experience at some point in our lives. Whether its the loss of a loved one, losing our job, or even a health crisis, pain can even be mentally and physically and is oftentimes sudden and unexpected. In case one suddenly minor accident changed my life drastically in ways no one can begin to fathom, let’s not act too hastily. I was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia which is an inherited blood disorder where red blood cells become sickle crescent-shaped causing frequent infections, swelling in the hands and legs, severe pain and tiredness, and delayed growth or puberty.
Ergo, I firmly believe that I am a miracle because doctors stated, “I wouldn’t live past age 20 “, but with God’s grace upon my life, I am almost 29, and if that ain’t a miracle, I don’t know what is. Piggybacking on the accident, at first the tiny cut on my ankle seemed harmless, but weeks later I found myself in the hospital all drugged and strung up on pain medications, and my right ankle bandage—what I reckoned will take weeks turned into years to heal. Growing up, I faced a lot of ridicule and was labeled as abnormal, and that was when it dawned on me that the enemy had his snakily gaze on me. Before the accident, I was very active in church and school; I was in the choir; on the dance and sign language team; and I dabbled in sports and cheerleading. Those were the best three years of my high school experience, and despite my frequent trips and overnight stays at the hospital, I managed to graduate.
Unfortunately, my health spiral turns out my blood decided to misbehave, causing not one but all sides of my ankle to break out into what doctors called chronic leg ulcers. I was later sentenced to bed rest for a month and more in the hospital, which was like my second home because when it wasn’t my ankle, it was some blood transfusion; my oxygen levels or my blood count were lowered.
What can I say? I am a doctor’s pet with the ultimate doctor, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I was indeed lucky. In the year 2019, the Holy Spirit prompted me to write and share my story, for if my story only touched one person, all the pain would be worth it. That was one of my favorite lines from the movie I Still Believe.
Nothing catches our Heavenly Father off guard, only us, and in all honesty, it’s not easy enduring daily pain and discomfort, but I say all this to say that pain chose me for a reason, and it thought it had me at hello, but God always had me first. It brings tears to my eyes. How recklessly God loves runs deep for all of us. We just need to open our eyes and see through His lens, and I am learning that there is a purpose behind my pain, as well as that suffering and pain don’t destroy one’s faith; they only refine it. When we face advertisements, it is not God punishing us but building us to bring glory to His name, so above all else, if someone is suffering in silence or openly through pain of any kind, be strong in faith and stay encouraged in the Lord.
Final words: you are not alone, and always remember no season is wasted; God will restore all those years lost abundantly, so don’t lose hope. Delay is really preparation—a chapter in God’s book, not the whole story.