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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Walk by faith, not by sight

My papabuelo handed me a book called "Supernatural Healing" by Sid Roth and Linda Josef and asked that I read it. It's a book that highlights the power of faith and its ability to heal.  The entire book consists of testimonies from people suffering from different ailments (Lupus, cancer, paralysis, etc)  or simply those who had lost their way ( one story told of a wealthy drug lord who one day overdosed and nearly died) and how through faith in God they recovered. Some completely recovered from cancer, and not even doctors could explain how it was possible. It was just a miracle. Even more interesting was how a couple stories revolved around doctors who realized the power of believing (one doctor was told that his unborn daughter would be born without half a brain, rendering her mentally challenged. Through faith and prayer, his daughter came into this world as a healthy child). Not all initially believed in God, but later realized the saving grace of believing.

When I first started reading the book, I was a bit skeptical. Honestly, it wasn't my kind of book. Despite attending 10 years of Catholic school and being raised as a Christian ( even though we never go to church, the faith is in our hearts), I had read plenty enough to know the various interpretations of the bible as well as criticisms. In college I learned more about the bible's  historical background and studied the bible as a piece of literature. I had seen many documentaries that simply led me to alter my perception of the bible and religion in general.

Some believe they are healed through the Holy Spirit. Often I have read of the power of  Qi (Chi) and its healing properties. I have  read about and  seen many miraculous encounters in documentaries, books, and in my life. There is no denying that many miracles have occurred.  Maybe it's the power of the mind, a higher power, our energy, deep faith, but whatever it may be, it intrigues me and it exists.

The book harbors sentimental value to me because after I finished reading it and told my papabuelo, he told me, "That book saved my life." Although I didn't say much in response, I couldn't help but take to heart what he told me.  As someone who suffered from kidney cancer  a couple years ago which left him with one kidney, it terrified the family when this year cysts were found on his remaining kidney. Constantly he told us that he was ready to go "home."  So often I laughed aside what he said, scolded him even. I told him that he was going to be okay (as I always do, because I truly believe so). Looking at the scans with him, I admit that a part of me was fearful, but I wouldn't show it. Someone had to be strong. Prior to visiting the doctor, he read that book.When he visited his doctor, he was told he would have to be monitored for half a year, but that he looked fine. What he said to me clicked once more, "That book saved my life." Those words meant so much to me because it was coming from someone who had lost faith. The one who wanted to give up and go home. The one who told me he was going to heaven. Suddenly, he had regained faith. That's why that book is important to me.

Even more recently, my aunt's friend was diagnosed with cancer. She was undergoing dialysis due to kidney failure. My aunt gave her the book to read. She called my aunt and told her she is cancer free (I found out today that she's cancer free, but I'm not exactly sure when she told me aunt). There's something about faith that keeps us going. When you believe in something, when you have something to live for, then even the impossible is possible.

A cousin of mine shared a very touching story with  me, but which I won't disclose. It was a beautiful story that allowed her daughter a chance to live. Truly there is something beyond complete comprehension at works out in the universe and in us.



Never lose faith...Believe in something...Live for something...but never ever give up

2 comments:

  1. There's a movie called "The Guitar" you should see some day. It's about a woman who is diagnosed with terminal cancer. So she decides to move to into an expensive nyc loft and live in sheer decadence in her last three months to live, never leaving the apartment. I bring this up because the majority of the movie she gives up on faith and believing things will be alright and refuses to suffer and accepts she's going to die and just enjoy what's left. Everything was going so well for her...until the end. And that's basically the best part of the movie: the end. You should see it. Anyway, I'm a romantic for faith and at the same time a cynic. What I notice from your grandpa's story, and this movie, and various other things is that faith manifests itself in different ways and different perspectives not just something religiously based. And when you think your faith in something has run its course, there's always something else to inspire faith. Because all in all, i feel like faith wells up from inside of us. It's something we create, therefore something no one else can truly control. And i admire people who can keep the faith, even staring down the barrel of adversity.

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  2. "faith manifests itself in different ways and different perspectives not just something religiously based. And when you think your faith in something has run its course, there's always something else to inspire faith. Because all in all, i feel like faith wells up from inside of us. It's something we create, therefore something no one else can truly control. And i admire people who can keep the faith, even staring down the barrel of adversity." Well said! I couldn't have phrased it any better!

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