There have been a few times in my life where I have really felt the Holy Spirit speak to me. Don't get me wrong, I feel God's direction and blessings in my life on a daily basis, but I rarely feel like I can physically hear Him speak. When I do, no words are spoken out loud, yet they are the clearest words that have ever been spoken to me.
Let's back up.
For the past couple of years, I have dealt with back issues. I have lower back pain that comes and goes, and I try not to complain about it because it's just an inconvenience and nothing more. A large part of the reason my back is so messed up is due to the fact that I have been a stomach sleeper my entire life. It's not good for my back, and 24 years of sleeping exclusively on my stomach has finally caught up with me. A few months ago, I decided to try to start sleeping on my side to alleviate the pain. It was so uncomfortable and felt so unnatural, but I knew this was a habit I needed to break, and now was just as good a time as any. After a couple of days, my hip started to hurt. This was around the time the story of Zach Sobiech went viral, a younger guy who found out he had cancer after going to the doctor with pains in his hips. (If you watch the video, prepare to be in tears by the end of it). I can be quite the worst case scenario thinker, a quality I don't admire in myself but that nonetheless is there. I immediately thought the worst and that I had that same cancer. I woke up in the middle of the night with such pain in my hip that I couldn't go back to sleep. I was so scared and just kept thinking that the same thing I saw in the video can't be happening to me. It just can't be. I looked over at the husband sleeping so peacefully beside me and the pup on the floor. I thought of my family and how much they love me. I had to be healthy. My husband needs me. I can't leave him. Tears streaming down my face at some ridiculous hour of the night, I cried out to the Lord. I prayed for my health and asked with all that I am to be okay. And then it happened. The room remained silent, with only the sounds of Parker and Jenny sleeping, but I heard very clearly God's words. I am not going to try to quote God, but these are the words I heard:
Relax, you're fine. Your hip hurts because you have been sleeping on your side and your hips aren't used to supporting your weight. You're fine.
And then, I just felt peace. I felt an overwhelming sense of peace that calmed every bone in my body. I did not spend another minute worrying about the pain in my hip, and sure enough, it was gone within the next week.
I can't say that I vividly hear God speak to me on a daily basis. While I feel his guidance and presence in my life, there is a difference between that and what I experienced that night. God reached out, took me in His arms, and told me everything was going to be okay. There is not a person on this earth that could have brought me the peace I felt that night.
"I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."- Psalms 34:4
11 comments :
Chelsea, I absolutely love stories like this. There have definitely been times in my life that I've felt a bit abandoned by God, but I know for a fact that He never abandons us. He is always there when we need His love and guidance most.
I love this story, Chelsea. I am trying to pay more attention to God speaking to me.
A few weeks ago, I was really worried about something and I prayed for peace when I went to bed that night. I had a dream (which I believe God was speaking to me through) and woke up feeling at peace.
ManI watched that a little bit ago and bawled like a baby through the whole thing! God definitely knows how to comfort us especially when we are listening! Loved this post!
A very wonderful story!!! You may try acupuncture for the pain as silly as that sounds but it helps, also yoga and deep stretches :)
This was truly an inspiring post! Its amazing how far god will go to help us when we seek him!
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That's awesome that God gave you that little bit of assurance right when you needed it most! (And I'm also a stomach sleeper with back pain...maybe I should tough it out and try to change sleep patterns...)
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I deal with stomach pain and all even 10 yrs later after gallbladder surgery. i've prayed and just wish the pain and everything would go away. but i doubt that happens
Zach's story was just so painfully sad, one that makes you just ache... And I tend to be a bit of a health pessimist too. It's hard to think positively when you hear so much negativity all the time! Glad you're feeling better though!
Let me say I've had a similar experience but mine was more so a warning. God was telling not to come home down a dark road that I usually traveled. The oddest thing was that his voice was clear I was alone because my husband was gone and I had just awoken from a nap. I thought I was dreaming but clearly I was sitting up and he kept calling my name until he got my attention. Just like he told me in the dream the events unfolded the next day on real life. I have heard his voice several times since then and I won't say it's something I will ever get used to but the peace is overwhelming and when you hear his voice you certainly know it. Oh and lastly you and I told have the worst scenario thing in common. I am currently working on that because whenever my husband is late home from work all the bad things play in my mind. Now since moving deeper in my faith I pray those thoughts away with the scripture Psalms 112:7. It does completely stop the thoughts but it's a great reminder of not to worry or play out scenarios. I totally play scenarios and self diagnose through google lol!
I've "heard" Him twice. And you described it perfectly. Silent but clear as an audible voice.
Love this post.
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