Experiencing God
Through Suffering Lil Albrecht I read Bev Rossin’s “A
Life Changing Experience” in RIM (Nov. 2002) .
It touched my heart, how the Lord worked through all of
her trials; so I thought maybe my experience might be of
help to some of your readers. In the summer of 2000, our daughter
Dawn sent us the study book, “Experiencing God,”
which my husband and I absolutely enjoyed. We
certainly grew in the Lord while we were finishing the
four month course. I was moved to ask the Lord to help me
to REALLY GROW in Him, not knowing how much growing He
would have me do! In the fall of 2000, I was diagnosed
with blepharitis. . . very painful, burning, infected
eyes. After giving me some ointment and eye drops, the
doctor said there was nothing more he could do for me. I
thought, “Lord am I going blind?” We finally
found an eye doctor in St. Paul that helped me through
this infection. I didn’t know this often happens
before you get Sjogrens Syndrome, but the following
spring I was diagnosed with this disease (There is no
cure for S.S.). There are 2-4 million people with this
disease, but very few have heard the name. The easiest way to explain it is the
immune system mistakenly recognizes the body’s own
tissue as antigens (a foreign substance) and it attacks
and destroys it. That’s why I have no tears, am
intolerant to light, and find it difficult to read more
than an hour at a time; some of the salivary glands are
destroyed resulting in a dry throat. My larynx was
affected making singing difficult. Fatigue and infection
are common. Actually, it can affect any part of your body
where there is moisture. Through all of these
difficulties I realized the Lord was allowing me to go
through this to help me grow in Him! There are difficult
days, and also good days, but knowing the Lord is in
control makes it so much easier. Our pastor recently said
“Look at your burdens as blessing.” He
was right! I have grown a lot since 2000 when I studied “Experiencing
God,” but I have also experienced God in my life
through my difficulties. There is MUCH POWER in prayer! If any of you have been diagnosed
with Sjogrens Syndrome and would like someone to share
your concerns with, I would be more than happy to write
to you. Sharing is a great way to lower anxiety and
knowing the Lord is with you makes all the difference! God Bless, Lil Albrecht 24098 White Pine Drive Nisswa, MN 56468 |