happy

Healing is an amazing thing! It is the process by which something that was once ill, sick, or deficient gets better (immediately or over time) and is restored.

When we cough or sneeze or grab tissues for our runny noses, we want nothing more than to raid the medicine cabinet for Tylenol, or Advil or SOMETHING that will make us feel better. A simple headache is quickly remedied by over-the-counter aspirin, good rest, a good meal, or all of the above.

No one really likes to be sick, for real. Whether it’s a common cold, the flu, or something as serious as cancer or any incurable disease, people just want to feel better.

I was thinking about healing the other day and couldn’t help but thank God for good health, both physical and mental. The interesting thing about sickness is that it can be either in your body or your mind. Some people may be in great shape physically but not well mentally or emotionally.

But I have good news. I know someone who desires above all things that you and I live healthy, productive and happy lives. Just because your life AND my life may get chaotic at times, does not mean that it is supposed to be that way all the time! I heard a young lady say the other day, that her life was FULL of drama and that nothing goes right and that something crazy happens to her every day, literally.

I cringed.

There is no way on God’s green earth that I could live like that, not now, not EVER! Again, that is. There was a time in MY life that I had lots of drama and turmoil and stress and craziness until I decided I could no longer carry the weight of that type of existence. The stress of my BAD choices was trying to kill me and I decided that I was just not ready to die. So I surrendered my heart to God.

I asked the Lord to heal me. I wasn’t sick in my body, I was sick in my mind and emotions. I was terminally ill in my psyche and on the verge of death by way of suicide, when the Lord stepped in and began the amazing process of restoring my mental health. Through the ointment of his word (the Bible), positive speaking, positive music and definitely hanging around positive people, I gradually got better. I had to get away from those life-stealing, leeches and vampires that wanted to drain the very essence of my soul, those NEGATIVE TALKING AND NEGATIVE THINKING PEOPLE!!!

Today I am healed by the stripes of Jesus, physically, mentally, emotionally and yes, even spiritually.
Every area of your life can be restored. God uses several avenues by which to bring healing to our lives. He uses his word, (his son Jesus), he uses positive people, even laughter. Of course there’s medication (over-the-counter or prescribed), but most of all He wants us to experience an abundant life of peace, joy, happiness and love.

For financial, physical and mental health: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou may prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2

For mental health: ”For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (a stable mind).” 2 Timothy 1:7

For physical health: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:3

For overall good health: “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Psalm 107:20

For mental/emotional health: “A merry heart (a happy heart/laughter) doeth good like a medicine” Proverbs 17:22

Love,
Toni

In 2003 I was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy which is a paralysis of the facial nerve, causing muscular weakness in one side of the face. I panicked when I woke up one rainy spring morning, thinking that I was having a stroke. I was taken to the emergency room where the polite (and very handsome AND very short) Asian male doctor diagnosed my condition.

He told me that there was no known cure for Bell’s Palsy but that the nerve would heal itself over time.

Well, it has been ten years and the nerve in the right side of my face has not been restored completely. I still have a slight droop at the corner of my mouth and because of that, I am very self-conscious about smiling.

BUT, my family has been so good to me and their love for me is second to none. My fourteen year old daughter, Erica loves taking pictures with the new Cannon camera her father got her for Christmas. She’s always trying to catch me ‘smiling’ which, the moment I see her handy camera, I usually run away laughing and hiding my face in my hands.

“Stop it Mama,” she’ll demand. “Just let me take one picture without you covering up your mouth, please.”

Well, today I did, and was pleasantly surprised to see the inner reflection of my soul being displayed on my face. It was the look of Happy, which by the grace of God, I AM today.

I may not have everything I want, but I’m Happy. I don’t smile the way I used to but I’m healthy, in love with my husband, raising beautiful and amazing children and I’m Happy! I don’t need a perfectly aligned smile on the outside of my face because the smile I have in my heart and soul is priceless!

Love,
Toni