"POP" goes the ear drum!

That's supposed to be like, "pop goes the weasel".... that's about as creative of a title as I could get. LOL!  I had something really crazy and wonderful happen to me yesterday.  I'm not sure really how to explain it, but I felt compelled to share to encourage others that anything is possible and that if something is big enough to matter to you, than it matters to God! 

I know everyone can relate or has had a time of pain or illness in your life when man has done everything in his power, and you turn to the Lord for a miracle in healing, finance, or whatever the case may be.  I've heard lots of stories from friends and acquaintances about answered prayer, but honestly I've never had an example I can put my finger on where God clearly stepped in and healed a situation at an exact moment that I asked and it was for the result that I had hoped and prayed for.  Don't get me wrong, stick with me on this... this experience was very powerful for me, so I'm going to do my best to describe it in the best way possible.  So please, please, do not take offense ... just hear me out.  It was very hard for me when my dad was sick and months of prayer by hundreds of people were answered with the Lord calling him home.  Yesterday I was reminded that prayer can be answered in more than one way.  God can choose to deliver you from a situation, or He can give you the endurance to work through it so that He can create something greater from it.  In the case of my dad's passing, I can see that the Lord in His grace gave me the endurance.  I have been blessed in so many ways from that experience and I know although He did not bring that pain and suffering to my dad, He is going to use his life and our loss for His greater good.  That being said, here's what happened yesterday. 

My right ear has been causing me pain for over 2 years.  I started to notice it when I would exercise, and then it progressively got worse.  Basically it was like it was under pressure and just wouldn't pop.  Sometimes it would hurt worse than others, but for the most part it was just a dull ache.  When I had my tonsils removed a few months after it started hurting the ENT  said it looked ok, but he wasn't too concerned and basically he didn't really investigate it much further nor did he seem too concerned and he thought it would just go away.  After over a year went by I asked my regular doctor about it.  He said it looked compressed and acknowledged that something wasn't right.  He tried putting me on antibiotics, and then just this past December he put me on steriods because the pain had gotten so bad he thought maybe it was an infection that was unseen.  Nothing worked and I was left to "deal with it".  With all the cold air and moisture we've been having it was really getting to me and I've been complaining of it daily to Jarred.  (He'll gladly confirm this! LOL!) 

Anyway, on to the good part... our church just finished doing a study on developing a para-normal realtionship with God.  Not in a creepy way, but just that acknowledging that when we were baptized the Holy Spirit was brought to life inside us and the purpose of the study was just to encourage us to stay in step with the Spirit (Galations 5).  The book that accompanied the study was, Surprised by the Power of the Spirit by Jack Deere (no relation to John Deere... LOL!).  This Sunday concluded the study and Jack Deere came to speak at our church.  During his sermon he was talking about how when he was in London he felt led to pray for healing for people with ear problems, and he proceeded to tell a wonderful story of how a family with a hereditery hearing problem was healed (even those not present at the conference!).  I found myself instantly jealous and praying that he would felt led to do the same at our church that day.  And, wouldn't you know, at the close of his sermon he said he wanted to see if the Lord would heal anyone today.  He started right out of the box praying for those with ear pain and I was so moved I could hardly stand it.  I was nervous, overwhelmed, and excited!  After the service they asked for those who wanted to be prayed over to come to the front.  Now keep in mind the whole concept of laying on hands is somewhat new to me.  Jarred looked at me and without me telling him how I was feeling, he said, "Baby, do you want to go up front?"  My pride and fear took hold of me and I just shook my head and said, "No, I'm good."  We left church and I felt defeated.  I instantly had agreements come to my head saying, "Well, if God wanted to heal me, he doesn't need me to go to stand at the front of the church to do it."  Regardless I was sad.

When we were leaving, we were driving in the parking lot and had to go over some bumpy road (they are in the process of expanding the church and parking lot).  Anyway, when we did I happened to be yawning, and I felt it!  My ear popped!!!!  It hasn't done that in YEARS!!!!  It just felt warm and I felt so much releif!  I again let my fear and pride take hold of me (although I was cautiously excited!) and didn't say anything to Jarred.  All day long I kept stretching my jaw to see if what I thought had happened was real, and FINALLY at life group last night I felt overwhelmed and compelled to share!!!  I can honestly say I can't remember when I've felt this good!  How amazing is that!!!???!!!  Yet, I wasn't about to "test" if I could pop my ear on my own.  I was on such a high I was afraid if I couldn't pop it, my newly restored faith of answered prayer would once again be broken and I would feel silly for thinking I had been healed.

However, curiousity got the best of me last night, and I did it... I tested to see if I could pop my right ear.  So holding my nose I did it!!!  It worked and I just am so thankful!!!  I AM HEALED!

At first I felt silly and was struggling to acknowledge that God would care enough about my ear pain to heal me, but then I remembered from the sermon.... if it matters enough to me, it matters to Him!!!

I hope this encourages you if you are struggling with something in your life.  The other message that really hit home for me this week is if you want something you have to and need to ASK for it... SPECIFICALLY!  James 4:1-3.

Have a blessed week!