1.17.2013

Looking Back In Wonder - 2012 Praise Review

Last January 17th, I stumbled into my doctor's office feeling worse than I could remember feeling in years. I knew I was ill but I didn't know how ill. All I wanted was something for the bad cold and sinus infection I had but after taking a look at my vitals and quite honestly my face, my doctor insisted that I be taken immediately to the hospital. I refused but she insisted and also refused to let me drive myself because not only  were my sinuses badly infected, but I had a respiratory infection, I was dehydrated, had a bad fever and my blood pressure was so high it was only by the grace of God that I didn't  stroke out. I tried to argue with her but she wouldn't let me go.  She asked me to just lie down for a minute, gave me additional BP meds to see if she could bring my BP down. I felt too bad to keep arguing so I agreed to lie down in the dimmed examining room planning to leave soon afterwards. I was determined NOT to go to the hospital
.
While I was lying there I started praying and very quickly the Lord spoke to my heart just as clear as a bell and said, "I give the doctors wisdom for a reason. You need to listen to her."  That shook me because it was quick and it felt like a warning. I had to admit to myself that I was feeling very terrible and that I was very sick. My doctor came back in a bit later, flanked by a nurse, and insisted again that she be allowed to call an ambulance to send me to the hospital. I think it surprised her when I agreed to go.

They kept me in emergency for over 8 hours because I refused to let them admit me. (I had agreed to go, I didn't agree to stay.) After a course of antibiotics, fluids, multiple tests and constant monitoring they agreed that I could go home and finish recuperating there. I went home, climbed into bed and stayed there for four months. I had had it. I was done. I was worn out, I was exhausted, and I was depressed. I had quit. I told the Lord that the only way I was getting up was if HE got me up. I was through.

Needless to say, God is faithful. Over a long, long, long year He did get me up out of bed and on the road to physical and emotional healing. With the care of His Holy Spirit, the care, support and prayer of family, church and friends the Lord has brought me back from a mighty long way. My first day back at church last April after months being away, I had to cling to the arm of one of my dearest friends to make it into the church. It took me a long time to have the strength to walk from one room to another in my house without resting, but slowly, bit by bit, step by step, the Lord renewed my strength and renewed my life.

One year later, with the Lord's help, I am healthier than I have been in years. I'm over 50 pounds lighter, the meds I was taking have been decreased by more than 50%. I am able to walk briskly for over 30 minutes at a time without over taxing my heart and running out of breath. Today, even with a cold, I got out this afternoon and took a victory lap around my neighborhood and didn't break a sweat.

God is faithful, God is gracious, God is REAL good and I will sing His praises as long as I live!

Hallelujah!
How did God bless you  in 2012? We'd love to hear your praise report!

11 comments:

  1. AMEN!!! So happy for God's faithfulness to you over the last year. This last year has been a roller coaster ride. I have had to look at God's small blessings in our lives rather than the big blessings. My daughter making a few good friends since moving here. My older son being understood by most people who talk to him. My younger son getting funding for services to assist him. (both my sons have ASD). Good friends and good coffee.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Michelle!

      Praise God for His blessings to you and your family. These are not small thing to God because He cares for each one of your children with His whole heart. One of the things I know from last year is that God is faithful and He does not forget His promises. He promised to be with us and He has been to both of us this year. That's why I will never cease to praise Him!

      Glad you can by! Have a good weekend!

      ~ Cassandra

      Delete
  2. Praise God for His faithfulness to bring you to excellent health! I had a terrible bout with anxiety and depression in November that put me on the couch for a week. If it were not for a new dr., the support of my friends and family, and lots and lots of prayers and Bible verses, I don't know what would have happened. I had lost my sense of taste, my sense of pleasure, and did not feel like myself. I had very real physical pain from it in my back and arms. But I knew that God would not leave me in that state. Slowly, each day I began to get better. I printed scriptures about fear and put them around the house where I would see them. I made myself eat healthy and forced myself to get out in the sunshine and go for walks up and down my street. I reduced some of the responsibilities and stress that I had. I practiced bringing every negative thought captive. And the Lord restored me to full health! I have so much more compassion for others who are going through mental and physical difficulties. But greater is HE! Thanks for sharing your journey back to good health. It is an encouragement to others.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. P.S. I am stopping by from the Home Sanctuary blog hop. :0 )

      Delete
    2. How well I recognize those symptoms Anna Marie.

      Depression affects every area of our being. You do feel aches and pains and it's not in your head. Thank goodness I had a doctor who recognized it and helped me through that as well as the other health issues I had. Praise God I'm through it and Praise God you are too!

      God Bless!

      ~ Cassandra

      Delete
  3. Praise the Lord for His healing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes and Amen Susannah!

      I will bless the Lord at all times and His Praise shall continually be in my mouth!

      Thanks for stopping by!

      ~ Cassandra

      Delete
  4. My husband went through something similar several years ago and we had to make major changes. I will never underestimate the debilitating power of fatigue and depression, nor the amazing power of God to restore and renew! Thank God for friends, medical assistance, the Body of Christ...and hope. He who has called you is faithful, and He will do it. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I look at the world and at my fellow human beings with different eyes after having been through last year. I didn't write about the half of it and it's something I really want to emphasis in ministry going forward. Not only that depression is a real thing, a real illness but also that God can restore and renew through it. That's why Praise is my word this year. With my whole heart I will Praise The Lord all the days of my life!

      Delete
  5. So glad you are feeling better! Yes, a good idea to reach out knowing we need all need support, rest and caring people. When you have a chance visit my blog, which I started as an outlet for emotional overload and with the thought to spend some time on the magic of everyday life regardless of the realities of worry... So nice to find blogs such as yours when feeling the need for a friend. www.PatriciasMagicalSanctuaryBlog.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Patricia and Welcome!

      We all do need each other, we really really do. We need to reach out and reach back. SO glad you came by and I did visit your blog. Loved the photos! :) Please come by anytime!

      ~ Cassandra

      Delete

Thank you for coming by! Your visit to Renaissance Women means so much. I appreciate and do my best to acknowledge each and every comment. Please enjoy your visit, come back soon and consider following us via bloglovin' or email.

God Bless and Have a Great Day!

Cassandra from Renaissance Women