Intentional 21 Devotional: Day 12 - Chris Dalton

Walking out healing

Pondering what exactly the Lord wants to do in and through me. I found myself in a place I had never thought of- or even prepared for, being so young.

One day at my job, merchandising the store I was currently working at, I was walking up the stairs, barely having enough air in my lungs to say What is this?

Waking up the next morning by the grace of Christ alone, my heart racing, then slowly sinking in.

The moment that fear gripped me, silencing God’s voice as I wrestled with Am I dying?

How do I say goodbye? To my family, my wife, and my church friends.

Then a trauma from my past arose- I was taken back to a memory of my grandma being sent to a hospital facility where she didn’t make it out of.

Attached to this were my prayers, pleading to God for my grandma’s healing.

I was stuck in fear, afraid that I too wouldn’t make it out of the hospital.

As my wife looked on with concern, we made our way to the ER.

I entered the door full of peace that I could not explain, a hope that filled my heart. Understanding about my grandma came to me (while I was waiting for a physical healing for her, she received spiritual healing as she was sent home to be with the Lord).

The overwhelming peace [Philippians 4:7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.] I was experiencing overflowed as doctors and nurses were examining me.

My doctor came in telling my wife and me that my heart rate was going from 40 all the way to 160 beats per minute, we could need to shock you with the paddles, you could have passed out at any moment.

A huge smile plastered over my face, thinking the doctor was kidding (I laughed)- he said I’m serious.

I realized during this time I had truly surrendered to Jesus, ready if he was willing to take me home. The medical team told me I have A-fib.

A condition mostly older adults have- sometimes it goes away, but most live with it controlled by medicine.

I was far from a medicine taker, but I did take it because I knew the Lord was teaching me to trust.

Being told not to drink caffeine (not so bad), watch my heart as I wore a heart monitor, and not to exercise- a big part of my life (sports, running, the gym) stripped away in the blink of an eye.

This was not the End of the story; it was the beginning of a new one. My biggest strength has always been God heals.

After six long months of seeking God with this, I walked to a nearby park near my house. There, I blasted worship music, finally being outside for the first time in what seemed like an eternity.

I began walking around the track at this park, thinking, Will I ever be able to run again? Then blasting through my super loud noise-canceling headphones, I heard “Run my child, Run.” knowing it was the Lord, I started running feeling the wind on my face, tears, and excitement I ran for 2 hours with no heart issues. I felt God nudge me to stop the medicine; I was healed! I drove to get a diagnosis from different doctors, so I could fully say God healed me. Doctors were in shock that I needed medicine in the first place. The Doctor asked, "Why did they have you on this medicine?" (with such a high dosage as well.) We see nothing wrong with your heart.

This was the miracle God walked with me through. I’m A-fib free!

Psalms 103:2-3 states:

Let all that I am praise the LORD;

May I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins

and heals all my diseases.

Suppose you find yourself seeking the Lord for healing. Whether physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual.

Trust God to walk you all the way through- however quick or slow.

Psalms 37:5 KJV

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.

Let God build your faith and shape your character as you fully surrender to Him.

What God has done for me, He continues to do for those who diligently seek His touch.

Then, on occasion, the Lord uses healing as the catalyst to bring out faith, trust, and a son or daughter lost in the world back to the knowledge of His Son, Jesus, because of what Christ did for all.

It is written in 2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think." No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

I have no idea who will read this devotional, but I do know that our God wants a deeper intimacy and a stronger relationship with you.

My prayer is that you would recall what the Lord has done. Then you will see what hasn’t come to pass yet, with the expectation that it will.

God’s timing is perfect every time!

Engagement:

Here are some questions for you to take some time outdoors in the Lord's creation, and write down with your Heavenly Father answers to:

What challenges or difficulties has God walked me through?

How am I trusting Jesus with my life?

Do I believe God can do the miraculous?

Is there a lesson to be learned?

My prayer is that as you continue walking out your fast, you will be mindful to ask God again for those things not yet answered, and to watch God move you through the processing.

Hope to hear the testimony of how the Lord did it!