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The answer to the question - can God heal Fibromyalgia? - is YES! The Bible says, he forgives all our sins and heals ALL our diseases! (Psalm 103:3) There isn’t one disease or diagnosis that is beyond his ability or desire to heal today. I hope that is a hopeful truth for somebody who is hurting right now.
I’m led to post on this topic today because people very close to me, whom I love dearly, are getting pummeled by Fibromyalgia. We have seen God physically heal people here at Church at the Gate in numbers into the three digits. However, we have only seen what I’d call temporary relief as we pray for healing from Fibromyalgia so far. Also, I’m hearing Fibromyalgia being regularly called out through the Word of Knowledge in healing and revival meetings throughout America - I do believe the Great Physician is giving great and full victory to many people from this devasting infirmity. I have more many more questions than answers - so pardon my ignorance - is this only an American malady? I’ve seen/heard nothing of it in the healing meetings I’ve attended overseas. I want to hear from those of you who have been freed of Fibromyalgia where ever you are.
If you, or anyone you know has been healed by God from Fibromyalgia, please share your story here in the comment section of this post. The Bible says we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the WORD OF OUR TESTIMONY. If you have been healed of Fibromyalgia, please share your testimony for the benefit of others here. If you have experienced any victory from Fibromyalgia through Christian healing prayer, please share that here. If you know of someone who has been supernaturally healed of Fibromyalgia, encourage them to share their testimony here.
Our local newspaper today did a brief story on “Mysterious Fibromyalgia.” (The link is to the original article in the Jackson Clarion Ledger.) The subheading is “Chronic pain brings on insomnia, depression, loss of brain activity and IS INCURABLE.” The last two words paint a hopeless picture. Here’s the opening paragraph of the artcle…
Imagine hurting all over, every day, with a physical exhaustion that never completely subsides, not even with adequate sleep and rest. Add insomnia, brain fog, and depression. The worst part - there’s no cure. Sufferers of fibromyalgia don’t have to imagine that nightmare. They live it. Daily.
The article gives these facts… according to the National Fibromyalgia Association, 3-6% of the population suffers from it. Women are most affected by it. And, there are physicians that don’t believe the disease even exists.
I’ve spoken recently with some of our doctors and it’s a mixed bag - some think it’s a “catch all” diagnosis for something that no one can really explain. One said she never saw these symtoms twenty years ago and now she sees them every day in her office. Others say “its real” and relief can be found in various treatments - acupuncture, chiropractic care, osteopathy, pain meds, etc. but that there is no cure or any real understanding of root causes. I’ve spoken to some of our counselors and mental health people about it - some say they have found it relates to previous trauma or (sexual) abuse. Some of my friends in healing and deliverance ministry also say this is the case, and this is how a demonic spirit of infirmity first gains access - through some trauma or abuse. I was given a Gulf War Vet newsletter minutes ago that says the United States military now lists Fibromyalgia at the top of the list of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder manifestations.
I am no expert, nor am I a doctor. Those of you reading this who suffer from Fibromyagia know light years more about this than I. If you are struggling with Fibromyalgia, I hope you’ll join the conversation here and dialog with others who comment here about their victory. I do welcome you to comment about your journey into supernatural healing and even mentioning how people have prayed for you in not-very-helpful-ways (as long as you stay positive about it). I think there is something to learn from unsuccessful well-intentioned attempts at divine healing.
I seek no controversial debate or attack here, nor do I want to lay a lack-of-faith guilt-trip on those who honestly and desperately desire a touch from God. I have a pastoral heart and desire to see God touch peoples lives. I’ve seen him do amazing things and I know he loves people. I’m throwing this post out there to solicit comments from people who’ve seen God heal Fibromyalgia. The most valuable thing about this post is not in what I have to say, it will be in what these folks share. In fact, I probably won’t offer much in the comments section because again, I’m not an expert and have little more to say. I would welcome comments from people in healing and deliverance ministries who have insights into how to pray for healing for people suffering from Fibromyalgia and more importantly, what are the spiritual dynamics behind this infirmity. The article I quoted above said there is some thought that this is genetic. But even there, I don’t want this to be a medical discussion. I’m asking for testimonies of how God healed people of Fibromyalgia and graceful dialog about the spiritual realities here. I’m hoping hope comes forth.
Here are just a couple “rules” for this post and commenting. I don’t want to hear anything about turning to Buddhism for relief or anything like TM, yoga, Oprah, or anything other than Jesus and Biblical Christianity. If you suggest anything else is our hope, I’ll delete that comment immediately. Jesus is our only hope. If you are among those who’ve given up hope concluding Fibromyalgia is your “lot in life” I’d rather you not share that here either. If you think it’s God’s Will that you are sick, I’d rather that get discussed elsewhere also. Not here. Really, if we are unsure it’s God’s Will we have relief from Fibromyagia we better sort that out before we even go to a doctor seeking relief. With that thinking, taking meds would go against what God wants for you. I don’t like to debate if healing is God’s will and don’t want to open that can of worms here. I just want to pray for the sick and let God be God. I want to hear testimonies of the grace of God. I do know God uses suffering and that there are redemptive purposes for pain but I also know one of the reasons God allows sickness is to reveal himself as Healer.
My sole purpose and hope in bringing this up is to provide a place where one beggar can share with another beggar where they found bread. I’m not the baker. But I know the answer is in the one who multiplies the loaves.
It’s amazing how music connects with the seasons of the heart. There probably hasn’t been one point in my Christian life where I couldn’t quickly point to a song that was really ministering to me at that particular point in time. It’s like jumping from lily pad to lily pad in how I grab on to this song during this season and find myself resting on another one in the next season. Right now, my whole family is “stuck” on the song Beautiful by Phil Wickham (but they tell me Grace Kim does it best). There is a major anointing on this especially when Grace starts singing the ah-ah, a-ah-a -ajhh, ah-a, ah-a-ah, ah - hauntingly beautiful! You don’t get this on Phil’s YouTube version.
The song I’m stuck on right now is Justin Rizzo’s Found Faithful - particularly this line… “I want to be found faithful, I want to be found steady, until the end…“ If you have a few minutes to be quiet, listen to it here from the OneThing conference in KC last December. I think I’ve been singing it in my head since then.
Those who know me know I value steadiness and steady people. Inconsistency in the Body of Christ is stifling Kingdom momentum. People, be steady. So many are tossed to and fro - they are hot one day and cold the next - they are fully committed today but you don’t see them tomorrow - they are rowing with you one moment but then something spooks them and it’s all you can to do keep them in the boat.
Steady people stay put. They are dependable and fixed. You can build something lasting and strong with steady people. Unstable people underneath whatever you are building for God is a disaster waiting to happen. Steady people are not thrown off course by offense. Steady people hold a lot of weight. In Galatians 2:9 Paul referred to James, Peter and John as “pillars” in God’s House. God gave me a word a couple years ago that I was to ask him for pillars.
In the history of architecture, pillars came to be as people got creative about expanding the size of their dwellings. Pillars are essential if you want to go up or out with a structure. Do I need to connect the dots for you? The Kingdom of God expands up and out. Pillars are steady and unmoved and they are essential if we are ever to do the big things God is calling us to do.
Steadiness comes with spiritual maturity. It is evidence of being anchored in God and his Word. God is steady and the more time we have with him the more stable we become. Be one who remains, abides - in the secret place and in public. Be fixed and rooted. Faithfulness is one of the fruit of the Spirit. Let it be said of you that you are steady, stable, consistent, reliable, fixed, unmoved, faithful, and planted.
The Urgency Tour last week was a big success. I was able to connect with 175 pastors total, that number does not include any of our team. Also, in nearly every city, key area pastors took materials and told me they would personally go connect with a few others who weren’t able to be present. The Church in South Dakota is awake. This will soon be the safest state in the nation for the unborn.
While all that was great fun, additional fun was had en-route as we talked in the car. The most fun though came in the evening at the hotel as we got out our laptops and tried to one-up each other by showing our favorite youtube clips.Here are a couple that made me laugh.
Do any of you body language experts know what blinking means? Cheney’s face is hilarious to me - what do you suppose he’s thinking?
Still on a political theme - this too made us laugh - be sure to watch all the way to the end…
In the name of relevance…
YBOR CITY, Fla. - A southwest Florida church issued a challenge for its married members this past Sunday: Hanky-panky every day. Relevant Church head pastor Paul Wirth says the 50 percent divorce rate was the catalyst for The 30-Day Sex Challenge. “And that’s no different for people who attend church,” Wirth said. “Sometimes life gets in the way. Our jobs get in the way.” Oh, and the flip side of the challenge? No rolling in the sheets for the unwed. “It’s going to be tempting and awkward at the same time for sure,” said parishioner Brent Cayson. Single men and women can’t have sex for 30 days, and married couples are urged to have it every day. “If you look at studies, studies say in 30 days you can develop a habit,” said Pastor Paul Wirth. It definitely caught wives in the church by surprise. “Our married people are far more fearful than our single people,” said Wirth. Church member Tim Jones and his fiancée agreed to take on the challenge, though he acknowledges it’ll be a tough month. But he added: “I think it’s worth trying to find out other things about each other.”
It’ll be a tough month?!?! How will we ever stay true under the pressure of the end of the age if 30 days of moral purity is so much to ask. Nothing like setting the bar low, church. What happens at the end of the 30 days… a church-wide party, perhaps rent a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Express… what are your ideas???
Only on rare occasions have I been at a loss for words. My problem lies more in the fact that, more often than not, I don’t feel like talking. This will surprise some because my weekend messages certainly don’t reflect that - especially if you are going by your watch. Or, here on this blog, coming up with content isn’t a problem, my frustration is whether I should start a couple of other blogs so I can focus more specifically on all the topics overflowing in my head.
I’m careful to not be a parrot and repeat what others are saying. Pastor Sunday Adelaja wrote in the foreword to my Momentum book that most America church leaders are simply writing books that quote each other. There isn’t a fresh word from God in the land. That’s what I’m listening for today. Bob Sorge writes about the difference between being a voice and being an echo. He says many seminaries send you out with an echo (as you submerge yourself in what others throughout the centuries have said about God.) Noting John the Baptist, he says we find our voice in the Wilderness with God.
Came back from a North Campus meeting tonight a bit heavy-hearted - we were talking there about how ‘unless a seed falls to the ground and dies…“, only to hear that Amy Stockstill passed away. Suffering from Hodgkins disease, we really ramped up our prayers for her last week when we heard she took a turn for the worse. Her father-in-law Larry pastors Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge and her husband Joel pastors their North Campus.
This comes from Joel’s blog last night…
In Heaven
With both sadness and joy I regret to inform all of you that tonight February 11 at 9:40 pm my lovely wife Amy went to be with Jesus. This is a mighty victory and the half will never be known. With great love and appreciation to all who have joined with us. Joel
This is a pic of Bethany youth praying in front of the hospital the other night. So many love them and I’d ask that you pray for Joel and all the Stockstills right now. Services are Thursday at Bethany.
Yesterday was all about the Super Bowl. Tomorrow will be dominated by Super Tuesday. Here’s a few headlines that grabbed me today.
Sometimes I slow down, step back and prayerfully ponder stuff like this.
Regarding China, why is this headline hidden and how can CATG go online in 08 to reach millions there with the love of Jesus? Regarding the need for a new law outlawing flatulence in NJ schools, maybe someone should fire the school cook. It all starts there. Regarding Microsoft’s 42 billion dollar bid for Yahoo, we are indeed a rich nation to whom much has been given. Regarding, coupons for discounted killing, Lord have mercy on us.
…back home again after my Sioux Falls to Chicago flight got canceled due to the snowstorm. There’s a chance for a later flight to Denver tonight, then a red eye at 12:30 AM to Philadelphia, then on to DC by 9:30 AM - puts me in my meeting about two hours late. No thanks. I outgrew red eye flights fifteen years ago. I’m thanking God I bought trip insurance. It was not meant to be.
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