----- Original Message -----
From: "Carol Pearson" >
A testomony from Carol.
>
> I recently suffered yet another ear infection and found myself with
> awful pain in both ears.  I said:  "Lord, I've been here before . . .
> but this time I want it to be different!"  After all, if I had to go
> through this pain again then it had to be purposeful.
>
> What I meant by that statement was that I wanted God to be glorified and
> that meant His moving in my life and I had to be prepared to say and to
> do whatever He said to me.  In simple terms I had to "trust and obey"
> Him.  I needed to hear His voice and to do whatever He wanted me to do.
>
> After the first visit to the hospital outpatients I was told to report
> back on Saturday morning to the ward where further treatment would be
> given.  (I knew from past experience that this meant also that a
> decision would be made as to whether I had to stay there or not and on
> Friday night it certainly looked as though I would have to go into the
> hospital.)
>
> Late on Friday evening I found myself again with much pain at bedtime
> and I knew that there was no improvement in my condition.  My face was
> swollen and the pain continued . . ..  I was so weary though that I
> couldn't face packing a bag.  I called on the Lord and asked Him simply,
> "What shall I do now?"  He said to me, "Just go to bed . . .."  As I
> responded by preparing for bed, I knew in my heart that this meant I was
> to trust Him and not to pack the bag at least on Friday night.  On
> Saturday, I knew, I would again know what to do.
>
> I woke on Saturday morning feeling somewhat better and knew that the
> infection was beginning to work its way out and my body was fighting it.
> As I prepared to go to the hospital, again I asked the Lord:  "What
> shall I do?  I don't have much energy but shall I pack that bag?"  I
> felt a peace in my heart and heard Him say:  "No.  You won't need it."
>
> My friend arrived very early for me and off we went.  As we travelled I
> had one little moment when Satan tried to destroy that peace by
> whispering that I'd got it all wrong;  but quickly I found the comfort
> of the Holy Spirit as He gently brought peace again to my heart.  I was
> confident that I would not stay in the hospital and that God was in
> control.
>
> OK, this was a simple enough, day-to-day occurrence - but it was special
> to me as I knew that He had spoken and I had followed His lead.  I had
> agreed not to pack that bag and also had testified to my husband and
> friend that I had heard the Lord say I wouldn't need to stay in the
> hospital.
>
> Our faith and obedience to Him in those little matters is so very
> important.  We read in the Bible, in Hebrews 11:6:
>
> ". . . without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that
> cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of
> them that diligently seek him."
>
> His reward to me was that peace which passes all understanding which
> flows in my heart, with that awareness that He is IN CONTROL whatever I
> am facing!
>
> There was something else which God did as I obeyed Him.  He told me to
> open my mouth and tell others I would not be staying in the hospital.
> This was important as I testified by mouth what He had said to me in my
> heart.  When God has spoken, met us and/or healed and freed us, He
> always looks for a response in our hearts which, so often, is
> transferred into testimony which, in turn, is spoken to others.  God is
> then truly glorified!
>
>