A routine trip to the grocery store turned out to be anything but routine for me one day years ago.  I had been fighting a lot of fear during that season of my life, especially that day.  I knew I needed to go to the grocery store to buy food for our family.  But I was feeling swamped by fear and doubt.  As a young Christian, I was totally sold out to Jesus. I aspired to be a strong woman of faith, but I was unsure how to do it.

Pray first

Calling my Sunday school teacher for advice, he encouraged me to go out and minister to someone else.  Pray first.  Then go for it.  Even though I did not feel strong enough that day to help myself, much less anyone else, I prayed and asked God to make me a blessing to someone in need.   Whoever that might be.  Whatever their need might be.  So I prayed and left it up to God.  He did not disappoint.

I drove to the supermarket and began to shop.  I placed my order at the deli counter for sliced meat and cheese.  Moments later there was a flurry of alarm, as my server had cut her hand severely on the big slicing machine behind the counter.  Another server quickly went to her aid, backing her away from the machine, squeezing her hand tightly, trying unsuccessfully to stop the bleeding.  The wounded server was suffering extreme pain and appeared faint.  The department manager offered to take my order for me.  But I ignored her offer.  For this emergency, I knew that God’s help was needed.

Compassion rose up in me.  Faith came alive.  The Holy Spirit literally took over the situation.   I boldly proclaimed, “I am a Christian.  Bring her to me.  I will pray for her and God will stop the bleeding, take away all her pain and heal her hand!”

Radical faith

The three women looked at me with surprise.  The injured worker appeared that she might pass out at any moment.  I did not know if she could even walk the several steps over to me where I stood.  But she tearfully made it to the counter.  With God-given compassion, I told her to give me her hand, I would not touch the cut.  Gently, I touched her injured hand.  I prayed a simple prayer asking God to take away the pain, stop the bleeding  and heal her hand.  And no infection to be allowed.  In Jesus’ Name. 

Miraculously, her hand was healed immediately before our eyes.  All pain ceased.  All bleeding stopped.  Her flesh was knitted back together as if nothing had happened.  All three workers were amazed!  I just expected God would do it.  We all thanked God for His healing power. I was too stunned to say more.

Then as I walked away to continue my shopping, the deli department manager hurried after me. “I have a cold,” she said.  “Will you pray for me?”  Gratefully, gladly, I prayed for her as well.  She returned to work, praising the Lord for both healings.

Step up.  Speak out.

No one was more surprised than me at the pair of healings which the Lord gave through me that day.  I was super blessed beyond words.  God had answered my prayer to bless someone that day—twice over.   I was so honored to be His chosen vessel to help these women in need.  I had not been feeling strong or gifted that day.  Quite the opposite.  But God does not wait until we are feeling strong and anointed to use us.  He loves it when we are feeling weak, totally dependent on Him to empower us.  He knew my heart was to heal.  And He answered with LOVE and grace.

            As He is, so are we now in this world.

                                                                        1 John 4:17

Since that day I have prayed for many people in many places.  It is the joy of my life.  I have been privileged to see Jesus heal many—some instantly, some over time. Some people need to forgive themselves first before they can receive healing.  Some need to stop worrying and turn their problems over to Jesus.   Whatever the need, He always supplies.

But I am not unique or special to participate in God’s healing miracles.  The Lord invites all believers to join with Him in His healing ministry.  The Lord invites YOU to heal the sick.

And these signs shall follow those who believe…they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

                                                           Mark 16:17-18

Don’t wait until you are feeling strong and holy.  Step out today—no matter how you are feeling.  Pray first.  Ask God for the opportunity to bless someone.  Ask the Holy Spirit to be in charge.  Then step up and speak out in faith.  God will use you in miraculous ways.  Glory to God!

Christ in you—the hope of glory.

                                                            Colossians 1:27

God chose those whom the world considers foolish to shame those who think they are wise, and God chose the puny and powerless to shame the high and mighty. He chose the lowly, the laughable in the world’s eyes—nobodies—so that he would shame the somebodies.  For he chose what is regarded as insignificant in order to supersede what is regarded as prominent, so that there would be no prideful boasting in God’s presence.

                                                            1 Corinthians 1:27-29 

Are you feeling weak, forgotten or rejected by the world today?  God does not choose the strong but the weak, the foolish, the rejected.  God chooses you!

Pray first.  Then step out!

Share your story

Do you have an experience of God’s breakthrough in your own life or someone else’s which you wish to share?  A miraculous healing or escape from peril?  Go to the comment page and share with other readers.  To God be the glory!