Introduction
Have you ever faced a season when you didn’t know how your needs would be met? Whether those needs were physical, emotional or spiritual, yet somehow, you made it through. Well, here’s the truth: It wasn’t by chance or coincidence. It was God who brought us through. Maybe not in the way we expected or in the timing we hoped for… but nevertheless, it was God! He provided because that’s who He is – Jehovah Jireh, our Provider.
And even knowing that, we still cry out for breakthroughs, for answers, and solutions. And sometimes, in the waiting, we overlook the quiet blessings… the deeper lessons God wants to teach us – lessons of trust, lessons of surrender. That was my story, and today, I want to share that journey with you.
A Season of Suffering
In 2016, I entered into one of the most difficult seasons of my life. Challenges came one after another. And just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, an incurable autoimmune disease. During the flare-up, my rheumatoid factor surged to nearly 300 IU/ml, when the normal value is under 15. It was alarming and truly frightening.
Soon after, I began to lose mobility rapidly. Each step taken was slow and painful. I lost the strength to do even the simplest things – I couldn’t raise my arms, I couldn’t even lift a cup, sit up or move without assistance. My daily life became a struggle. And I was constantly exhausted, heavily medicated, and completely dependent on others. It brought me to the threshold of my endurance.
That season opened my eyes to how much I had taken for granted. Simple acts became unreachable blessings. And I was haunted by this terrifying thought: What if I became bedridden? What if this was my new normal? That fear made it hard for me to fully surrender. I prayed… I prayed earnestly for healing but I struggled to say, “Your will be done” because I was afraid what God’s will might be. What if His will meant remaining in that condition? I just wasn’t ready for that kind of surrender. So, I struggled… I wrestled… until eventually I ran out of words.
From Suffering to Strength
Perhaps some of you know that feeling – when confusion overwhelms, when prayers feel hollow… and all that’s left is a silent cry from a weary heart. It was in those moments I began to turn to God’s Word like never before. And there, I found a lifeline: Psalm 73:26 – “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
You see, when everything fell apart, God’s presence became my anchor. Through His Word, He reminded me of His promises. Through His Spirit, He brought peace in the chaos. And through His grace, He gave me strength for each day. In that valley, God met me… and I began to see not just what I had lost, but how His daily grace was sustaining me. And even in the silence of pain, whispering His name brought comfort and endurance.
Truths Learned in His Provision
That season became a journey of discovering God’s faithfulness in the midst of suffering. He didn’t waste my pain. He used it to teach me lessons I’ll never forget. Let me pause here for a moment to declare God’s miraculous provision. According to medical science, there’s no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. But by the grace of God, I no longer need medication to suppress my immune system which is rare.
Medically, they call it remission. But what truly matters is this: My rheumatoid factor is normal, the symptoms are gone, and I’m completely off medication. That is the provision of God. That is His power at work. Praise the Lord! And now, as I continue, I want to share four powerful truths about how God provides in the darkest moments.
1. His Word Became My Anchor: It was in the midst of confusion and fear that God’s Word became my lifeline. I didn’t just read it – I clung to it. Psalm 119:50 says, “This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your promise gives me life.” That verse became my reality. It didn’t just comfort me – it healed, strengthened and sustained, reminding me of who He is and who I am in Him. When we hold fast to His Word, it becomes an anchor that keeps us steady – no matter how fierce the storm.
2. A Glimpse of Christ’s Suffering: In my pain, God gave me a glimpse of what Jesus endured. The suffering didn’t disappear, but my perspective changed. Philippians 3:10 came alive to me: “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings…” My trials drew me closer to Jesus. What He went through for us is beyond anything we can imagine or comprehend, yet He bore it willingly out of love. That glimpse deepened my worship. I learned to offer sacrificial praise – to worship even when it hurt. Because when we do that, we’re saying: “God, You are still good. You are still worthy.” That kind of worship is sacred – it’s not driven by feelings, but by faith.
3. A Song That Brought Rest: One day, God, in His kindness, led me to a worship song entitled “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.” I didn’t search for it but God knew I needed it. The lyrics that resonated with me were: “Just to take Him at His Word… Just to rest upon His promise.” Those words gave me so much peace, and in that moment, I was reminded that I didn’t need to overthink. I just needed to trust Him. That song echoed Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” And that was what I experienced – a peace that went deep… right into my soul. I found myself surrendering again – laying down the pain, the fear, and my timeline for healing. In that surrender, I simply rested at His feet. Jesus is enough. When everything else is stripped away, He remains.
4. The Gift of People: In my lowest moments, God didn’t leave me alone. He sent people – my beloved children, family and friends to walk with me. They surrounded me with prayer, compassion and quiet strength. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” And that was exactly what they did. Their presence was a tangible sign of God’s provision. They carried me when I couldn’t carry myself. So, church, treasure those who pray… who show up… and who stay.
He is Faithful – He will Provide
In conclusion, let me close with this powerful promise from Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” This reminds us that God does not provide out of scarcity, but from the abundance of Christ. That means every need – spiritual, emotional or physical – is fully met in Him. And often, His greatest provisions aren’t material but spiritual: peace in the storm, strength in weakness, and grace to endure. I’ve experienced this personally – His presence, His peace and His strength, given exactly when I needed them most.
So, if you’re in a season of need today, let me remind you: Go deeper into His Word, Worship even when it hurts. Rest in His presence. Stay connected to His people. Be encouraged: God sees. God knows. And God provides. His promise still stands: “My God will supply all your needs…” So, no matter the season, may we continually trust and glorify the One who provides now and forever.
To Him be the glory! Amen.
(Shared at Sunday service on 10 August 2025)
Dolly's Sharing 