God at work!
A serious illness at an inconvenient time gave the author a chance to see God’s great goodness to her
It all began with some uncomfortable feelings inside. Although not too serious initially, I gradually became more concerned and a colleague suggested a check-up. After the physical examination, the doctor explained that I needed major surgery. What? Surely I must have misunderstood. But no, that’s what the doctor was saying, and she wanted an MRI, which fortunately (because this is Japan) I was able to have that same day.
At that point, it was just one month until we were supposed to be leaving Japan for one year of home assignment. I went home and began frantically packing everything we could manage without because if I needed major abdominal surgery, I knew I wouldn’t be able to pack afterwards.
The results a week later showed that an even bigger operation was needed than the doctor had first thought. Amazingly, the surgery could take place the following week, but I needed more time to think about it. This was huge: major surgery, packing up the rest of the apartment, moving out, going to our missionary conference, and then going on home assignment. On top of all that, I was supposed to begin a new course of study within a week of arriving in Britain. How could it all work together?
However, after thinking, praying, and talking with doctors and others, I decided to go ahead. Within two weeks of the initial diagnosis, the surgery was done and I was struggling with post-operative pain and discomfort. Wow! We never know what’s coming next in life, do we?
How God was at work
What I’ve told you so far are the facts of what happened, but what I want to tell you next is how God was at work in and through my life in all this.
The day I was admitted to hospital—nervous, frightened, and overwhelmed—God gave me this verse: “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way” (2 Thess. 3:16 NIV). The Lord of peace, Jesus, really could give me peace at all times and in every way, and that meant he could give me peace on that day.
The following morning—operation day—God told me what he told Isaiah: “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13). I repeated that verse to myself as I waited for the operation, walked down to the theatre, and as they put me under anaesthetic. God was holding my right hand—I had nothing to fear.
Some time before, we’d been given a helpful devotional book by Sarah Young called Jesus Calling where the readings are written as if God is speaking. On the day of my operation, it said:
“I am involved in each moment of your life. I have carefully mapped out every inch of your journey through this day.”1
It continued: “Because the world is in a fallen condition, things always seem to be unraveling around the edges. Expect to find trouble in this day. At the same time, trust that My way is perfect, even in the midst of such messy imperfection . . . As you trudge through the sludge of this fallen world, keep your mind in heavenly places with Me.”2
The following day, waking up from a night of pain, sickness, indignity, and having lain flat for 24 hours with pressure stockings on, God gave me the phrase, “Relax in my healing.”3 I felt God’s reassuring promise that he was healing me.
During day two post-operation when I was slightly better but still in pain and tempted to worry, my reading said, “When your focus is firmly on me, my peace displaces fears and worries. They will encircle you seeking entrance, so you must stay alert.”4
On day three post-op, I read:
“You have Me beside you and My Spirit within you, so no set of circumstances is too much for you to handle. When the path before you is dotted with difficulties, beware of measuring your strength against those challenges.”5
Young’s words from Jesus Calling continued to speak to me: “That calculation is certain to riddle you with anxiety. Without me, you wouldn’t make it past the first hurdle! The way to walk through demanding days is to grip My hand tightly and stay in close communication with Me.”6
Day five post-op was a Sunday, so I listened to one of my favourite sermons. Based on the storm on the Sea of Galilee, it struck home when the preacher asked, “Is there a storm in your life?” Yes! I screamed inside. The preacher reassured his listeners that in the same way that the disciples and Jesus survived the storm, so would we. I felt God’s assurance that I would recover; I would go to the UK, and I would begin my course of study on time as planned.
On day seven post-op, I read:
“My Presence with you is a promise, independent of your awareness of Me. Many things can block this awareness, but the major culprit is worry.“7
Her words continued to hit hard: “Who is in charge of your life? If it is you, then you have good reason to worry. But if it is I, then worry is both unnecessary and counterproductive. When you start to feel anxious about something, relinquish the situation to Me.”8
While I was in hospital, God was consistently at work in my mind and heart. He was at work through his Word, through my Bible reading notes, through my husband, my missionary colleagues, and Japanese church members. God also used the Japanese doctors and nurses to minister to me. The hospital’s name was Tenshi Hospital (“Angel” Hospital). God sent his angels to minister to me with real hands and feet and compassionate hearts. Not only that but God himself ministered to me. I am so grateful that while I couldn’t do much of anything, God met me in comforting and profound ways.
However, not only did I experience God’s work in me and for me in this unexpected and unwanted situation, but he also used me to show his love and witness to others while I was in hospital.
Also in my ward was elderly and very talkative Mrs Suzuki. She proudly showed me the enormous gallstone that she had had removed and told me that she belonged to Tenrikyo (“Heavenly Truth”, a Japanese “new religion”). I’d noticed the priest who came twice a day to pray over her. Although she overwhelmed me with the speed of her words and the intensity of her story, I prayed throughout our conversation and had the opportunity to tell Mrs Suzuki about Jesus and why I was a Christian. Before she left hospital, I gave her some Christian literature, and she assured me we would meet again one day. I don’t know whether we will meet again or whether Mrs Suzuki read the information I gave her, but I pray she will meet Jesus.
Likewise, I was able to speak to one of my nursing “angels”—Ms Takahashi, a graduate of the college attached to this Catholic training hospital. She told me trainees attended Mass and had graduation in the church building, but when I asked if she still went to church, she replied that she had no time now that she was working. It wasn’t much, but it was a small opportunity to speak for Jesus and encourage her to return to church.
The reality is that if I had not needed that operation, I would not have experienced God’s direct care and comfort through his Word and through his people. Neither would I have met either of these ladies or any of the other doctors, nurses, and patients in Angel Hospital. Maybe God not only wanted to show me his love and care but also wanted to use me to show his love and care to those around me.
As a postscript, by God’s grace I did fly to Britain and began my course of study as planned. I write this now three years on. I thank God for his work in my life and in the lives of those I met during my time in hospital.
What did I learn?
What lessons might I draw from this experience? God allows his people to struggle with sickness—he doesn’t always choose to protect us from ill health. God’s timing is perfect—even when we don’t think it is. God can heal people—though he doesn’t always choose to. God will meet his people in dark times and places—through his Word and the spiritual and practical concern of others. God can use his people as his witnesses—even in the most unlikely or unwanted situations.
1. Sarah Young, Jesus Calling (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2004), 160.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid., 161.
4. Ibid., 162.
5. Ibid., 163.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid., 166.
8. Ibid.