ANSWERING THE CALL
A testimony about faith and healing
By Karen Yip (Sengkang cell)

For a number of years, I have had a fibroid growing outside my uterus.  Because it did not give me any problems, my gynaecologist was happy to do regular reviews with me without having to put me under the knife.  Last year, however, I started developing gastric problems and would periodically experience excruciating pain from severe stomach cramps. Things became worse towards the end of last year when I began suffering from monthly attacks. 

My family was very concerned and insisted that I had the fibroid removed.  I was a little hesitant as I was not totally sure whether the problem was due to the fibroid.  That Sunday, Pastor Gilbert released a word about someone going for or considering an operation in the abdominal area.  I wondered if the word was for me but rationalised that the details were not specific enough.  When I shared this with my cell group, I got a good scolding from them for not responding to the word. 

On New Year’s eve, I had another severe attack, the worst I have had so far.  The following Sunday, Pastor Derek released a word about someone who had very recently experienced excruciating pain from stomach cramps. My heart started beating so fast because I was quite certain that the word was for me.  But for some strange reason, I rationalised again that my attack was not recent enough as it happened 1 week ago, and I missed yet another call to healing!

Throughout the service, I stayed in my seat, but apologised profusely to God and claimed healing from where I sat.  When I shared this with my cell group again, they made me promise that I would go up for prayer the following Sunday regardless of whether my condition was called.

So, the following Sunday, I was among the first to approach the altar during ministry time. Before I could even reach the altar, Pastor Victor released a word that he saw a lady, about 5 ft 1 to 5ft 2 inches tall, with shoulder-length hair and gastric problems.  His description was so apt and had special meaning for me  – I used to be 5 ft 2 inches tall but as I grew older, I “shrank” to 5 ft 1. I had always been sore about this because 1 inch meant a lot to a vertically-challenged person like me.  So whenever I was asked about my height, I would always say “5 ft 1 ½ inches.” 

I was thoroughly awed by the fact that God was so precise and that He gave me not one but three chances to respond to His call.  Not only did He offer healing - which I claimed by faith - but He also showed me that the pain was from a gastric problem and not the fibroid.  I thank God that I have not experienced any excruciating pain since.  

As Smith Wigglesworth wrote, “God is more eager to answer than we are to ask.”  I realised how true that statement is. 

All praise to God!