05/11/10  —  "RA is a progressive, crippling and incurable disease…"

First, I want you to know how much I appreciate your teaching. Because of my religious background, it’s taking time for much of it to sink in. Some years ago, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of rheumatoid arthritis. After I sat down, I dreaded getting up because I would be so sore and stiff. Irritating burning in my joints would often wake me in the night, and some days, the inflammation was so bad, I would be exhausted, as though I had the flu. RA is a progressive, crippling and incurable disease, so the rheumatologist warned me that I must take the drugs that sometimes slow down the disease. The drugs can cause other very serious health problems, so I didn’t take them. I then ran into a woman who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. After three or four years and an up-and-down struggle, she is now completely well. This woman suggested I watch your series God Wants You Well. I did just that and was incredibly encouraged. It has been an ongoing healing, but I now lift what I want, walk as much as I want, and no longer feel that exhaustion. I thank God for what He has done for me. I now pray that He will give me a “creative” miracle, healing the deformity that had begun to reshape my joints, so I can show the rheumatologist what God has done and hopefully encourage her.

I’d also like you to know that some weeks ago, I called your Helpline because I had had a sinus infection, and the symptoms would not go away. A very kind person prayed with me, and the next day, the symptoms were completely gone.

One more thing: The subject of predestination has always discouraged me about my own possible standing in God’s eyes and, more recently, about the standing of my husband and son—not even knowing if it did any good to pray for them. Your Sacred Cows teaching on predestination makes sense to me and is so liberating. Thanks so much.

J. I. Fitchburg, MA