Hello, I am Ara Ambayec, 24 years old, from Young Adults Ministry. I am here to proclaim God’s goodness in my life.
Last October 2016, i noticed my feet became swollen and blood clots were starting to appear too. On my first consultation, the diagnosis was cellulitis. I took the prescribed medicines but had no effect. I sought second opinion from another doctor, he diagnosed me to have kidney stones. I took the medicines but again, nothing changed. I went for a third consultation, he run some tests then finally, he found out that I have Lupus Nephritis. Little did I know, these symptoms were just the beginning of my journey in battling this illness.
Lupus Nephiritis is an inflammation of the kidneys that is caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or Lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease wherein the body’s immune system targets its own body tissues resulting to damaged organs.
My kidneys started to swell and my joints suffered from continuous pain. I always feel fatigued and had difficulty of breathing. One of the tests showed that my heart had enlarged which caused one of my heart valves to not function well. Another test showed water in my lungs. I’ve also experienced hair fall everytime I take a bath, even my eyes had a silver lining all throughout because of the medicine I am taking. Back then, it felt like I’ve acquired all the diseases existing in the world.
I talked to God and said, “Lord, take my life instead” for the longer I live the harder my situations gets, and I cant afford to see my family suffer aswell. I am only 23 that time. I was just starting to build my dreams and this happened. With this kind of unpredictable disease, I dont even know what lies behind me.
That is when I realized that fears and doubts were taking hold of me. I forgot how powerful He is. I forgot that He was always thinking of me while I was just thinking about my problems. I almost forgot how faithful my God is, that He will never leave me even if I give up on Him.
I wouldnt have known Excel service if not because of my situation,This illness led me to ExCEL service. During one service, the Lord spoke to me, “Ara, this is not My plan for your life, this is just a part of it but this is not your dead end. I am not done with you yet. You have to trust Me and surrender all your worries.” After several months, the pain started to lessen.
My laboratory tests were never normal ever since. Then last January, I decided not to take my maintenance medicines which no one knew, even my family and my doctor. After two months of not taking medications, I had no idea on what could be the result but by the grace of God, the results were now normal! Without taking any medicines, my laboratory tests finally normalized! I do not know how it happened; all I know is that God has made me well!
Brothers and sisters, I know that God is also doing something in your life today. Whatever you are going through, God will never leave you.
Let me leave this qoute “Struggle is real, and so is God. He is indeed listening. He is right there, protecting us. All we need is to keep on trusting on Him.”
Thank you! To God be all the glory!
