Faith-Healing

Excerpt from “The Purpose Driven Life” Day10:

Genuine surrender says, “Father, if this problem, pain, sickness, or circumstances is needed to fulfill your purpose and glory in my life or in another’s, please don’t take it away.” This level of maturity does not come easy. In Jesus case, He agonized so much over God’s plan that He sweats drops of blood. Surrender is hard work. In our case, it is intense warfare against our self-centered nature.


I came across this page kanina lang umaga and while reflecting upon the message of the context I thought, ‘…oo nga no. Everytime I got sick I always pray na mawala na to. Hindi ko naisip na in a deeper sense there could be a reason why God has planned this for me.’ And then this evening natinik ako sa kinain kong fish. Damn. First time ulit sa history ni Tim Tam. I have to eat scoops of rice (which I do not eat btw), 2ripe mangoes, 2bananas (thanks Nanay Kuntsing!) pero nothing seemed to work. Shox I was freaking out kasi sumasakit na ang pagswallow ng saliva.

And then there was Apo (read as A-po). She is both a friend and a faith-healer. Pagkadating she asked me, ‘…anak san ba?’ (The tinik) And I told her na parang somewhere sa gitnang part ng esophagus or whatever. I was guessing. Then sabi niya, ‘..no, nandito..’ (her hand on the right part of her leeg, which locates my left leeg). Right. I remembered kanina yung banana pinapapunta ko sa left side ng leeg ko. And then the healing begins.

Minutes lang then wala na. I asked her why are there scratchy feelings? Parang may residue pa ng trauma. She told me, ‘…yung pinagtusukan lang yan anak sa tinanggal ni Apo.’ (Referring to Apo, which, in Kapampangan means an old person, in this case, the Virgin Mary).

Now I could still feel scratches, pero better than kanina. Kanina I could feel the tinik talaga e. Ngayon parang meron pa rin, pero I am taking away the doubt. I mean, I have faith in God and that Apo is actually called to serve by healing, pero I am a bit concerned. Want proof na she really could heal?

Way back highschool, nagka-appendicitis ako. Konting lakad lang, napapayuko ako sa sakit. Tindi nung experience kasi I couldn’t go anywhere without embarrassing myself (something that happens naturally not intentionally). Tapos ayun, mom took me to Apo. She asked me, ‘…ano gusto mo, karayom, kutsara, tong, o kamay?’ (She was referring to the instrument that she would be using to take the appendix out with). I picked kamay ata. Pero alam mo yun, she was actually kidding lang when she asked me those things kasi she’ll still use her hands eh. And then ayun. Nawala. Pano ko nalaman?

I am still alive.

Kaya I have faith na she really is blessed by Mary. Gifted amongst the rest to serve and live Her life here on earth.

Ngayon I am reflecting upon the excerpt from “The Purpose Driven Life”. Why Lord am I experiencing this? I think it’s because I lack faith. I forgot how important God is and that He is inflicting this pain para marealize ko na nawawala Siya sa landas ko.

I understand now God. Pero diba kinausap pa lang kita kahapon sa chapel sa MegaMall regarding Beda, my mom, my classmates, bestfriend, and my new career. I am leaving everything na in Your hands. Whatever it is that You have planned for us, I am sure its for our welfare naman.

Thank you.