Sudden Asthma: A Personal Encounter with God
It was already 1 AM when I suddenly woke up because of the pain in my chest.It was really excruciating and I do not know what to do.I tried to self medicate what I am feeling by drinking lots of water and by putting some cold vaporising ointment (VICKS) to lessen the pain. I also tried to damp some warm cloth into the affected area.After trying all these, the pain still resided in my chest amounting to my right shoulder.The next thing I did was praying.I prayed to God to heal me and I asked Him to remind me that this suffering isn’t an enough reason to give up.[Matthew 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light;and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death,light is sprung up.] Brothers, always be reminded that a light cannot be seen clearly without the darkness.This is the promise of our God! When there’s shadow, there’s light.When there’s death, there’s life. When there’s suffering,there is a God who’s always willing to help.
“Baka Asthma na yan, Pusto.”
3 AM came when I finally decided to ask the help of my Lola. I was about to leave when my father heard the screak of the door and was awakened. I told him, ”Masakit yung dibdib ko,Pa.Kada hinga ko kumikirot.”He got a bit uneasy hearing those words. He asked what I feel and where it comes from. He applied VICKS on my back and massaged it. He also bought my medicine though it is only 3 o’clock in the morning.
To be honest, I am not used to be taken care of especially that it’s my father that does the thing. We’re not close. I do not even know if we’re OK. I was actually praying for him. I am praying that our father-and-son relationship will be good. I am praying that he will stop drinking too much. I also pray that he’ll soon resign his worst habit – illegal drug abuse.It really hits me that my father is a drunkard and an illegal drug user at the same time. I do not know if my mother knows something about it. I do not know if our relatives were aware of it,especially my grandparents. It’s really hard to keep something by yourself particularly that it is a sin, a secret sin.
Sunrise came and I was well. The pain subsided and it was really delighting, knowing that God responded to your prayer.I asked for healing and it was given to me. I prayed for mercy and He gave it,knowing that He is a merciful God of ours.[Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.] If you are tired, come to our Lord and he will give you rest. He can give you the best rest that you desire! He can give you the best refreshment that you can have in your life. Just come to Him if you need so, kapatid.
[Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.]
As I look back on God’s goodness today while I was eating my breakfast, I realized that this day isn’t just a normal day. It is because God answered two prayers in one heavy yet fulfilling day of mine. Would you mind to reread the third paragraph? As you would notice, I said that I am praying for a good father-and-son relationship with him. How amazing that I also realized that that prayer is on the process of its fulfillment! I believe that I had an Asthma – not physically but an Asthma towards family relationship. Maybe I really lack a breath of fresh air. Some warm breeze that comes out of the mouth of my loved ones. Some kind of air that my body would always crave. I am starving for their attention. I am wanting for their love and the way my day started, God provided me that trigger to success into this fight. I have seen that the way my father massaged me and the way he took care of me reflects God’s love for me. He showered so much love on me today. And I thank Him for making me struggle first before having the trophy of success over these. No struggles, no lessons. Sometimes, we do not understand what God is doing in our lives. We tend to be really affected and seem to weep like it’s not gonna be solved. Every problem has its own solution. What only God wants for us is to catch lessons from all the challenges that life throws at us.[Mark 5:36 Be not afraid, only believe. ] If you’re threatened, seek Him. If you’re troubled, seek Him. If you’re afraid, seek Him. Just believe, abide His words and continue to share His gospel so that whatever may come in the road, you know that He is there to guide your way.
[Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.]
Do not lose hope, kapatid! Learn to rejoice in the midst of your weakest points. Though we experience so many hardships and conflicts in our life, though the struggle is indeed real, we should know that these are nothing to the God we have! Let us continually yield and hang on to Him and to His Word and be propelled to consider every fight a stepping stone to develop our character and virtues He had provided inside in each of us. God bless your hearts, brethrens!
- Melvin Cornelio, 15, Langkaan II National High School