FROM THE BOOK'S CONCLUSION:

You have come to the last unit of this faith-building, ministry booklet. You have read the reports and personal testimonies of a number of folks so it would be surprising if you have reached this point and have not yet had all of your questions answered, and your spirit revived and settled. Yet, it is likely that some are still pondering the question of whether they can know for sure whether their life-threatening, major illness or condition, and/or required surgery or regimen of ‘treatments’ are in the will of God, even after reading Unit #2 which challenged readers to see God’s ‘purpose’ in certain situations, and Unit #3 which indicated that adversities and illnesses are often means through which hand-picked persons are able to perform special ‘divine assignments’.

In closing, this booklet offers four (4) definite ways to know for sure that what is happening or about to happen to you is in the will of God; but first, here is a brief word of explanation before we get to them.

Let’s clear the air, once again, by confirming that God is sovereign. He is almighty. He is in complete control of everything and all situations—past, present and future. Nothing happens that is outside His jurisdiction—He spoke the world into existence! We cannot know God’s mind or His purposes in absolute terms. We are human. Yet we perceive (with the assistance of the Holy Spirit) that God does, on occasion, allow or use sicknesses to bring about His sovereign purpose, to glorify Himself and ‘exalt His holy name among the heathens’ (i.e., the nations). So here we have ‘purpose’ and ‘reason’. ‘Reason’ is usually not as mysterious as ‘purpose.’ Frankly, the reason behind sicknesses may be nothing more than a result of our own poor lifestyle choices, dietary habits, or sinful choices! It may simply be as a result of living in this sin-cursed world, or it may be the result of a 'demonic attack’ (see Job 1:12) or ‘demonic assignment’ targeting our bodies (including Obeah: someone “fixed” you); or else, it may be a means of God’s loving discipline upon our lives (See Hebrews 12:6-8, Psalm 119: 67, 71). Whatever the reason, God has the power to “turn things around” on His own or as a result of the fervent prayers of one or more of His born-again sons and daughters—even an evil thing intended for our destruction or death, God can turn it around so that it brings glory to Him and not to Satan! (See an example of this in Jonah 3: 4-10).

So, here are four (4) ways you can know for sure that your upcoming major surgery is in the will of God.

1. READ THE “HANDWRITING ON THE
WALL,” (a.k.a. ‘God’s Will’), IN WRITTEN FORM: THE ANSWERS ARE IN THE HOLY BIBLE.

In the Word of God (said to be a more sure word than prophecy) God says that he wants everyone to come to the knowledge of the truth. For those who know that they presently do not have a loving relationship with Jesus Christ, who is Truth, God wants to save you. In fact, He also wants all of mankind to be saved. (See 1st Timothy 2:4) The first way then is to commit to reading The Holy Bible, God’s Word, because that move will shed light on many things! (See Psalm 119:105).

2. PRAY. GO TO THE SOURCE AND TALK TO GOD DIRECTLY.

Ask God the reason behind your illness and exactly what His purpose is for it. Someone said that prayer is like the opening of one’s heart toward a friend. You don’t need training to be able to pray! (See Romans 8:28 and review Unit #1 about the purposes of God). God will tell you when He sees that you are ready—this is not a ‘once-off’ prayer! Persistence is necessary—for your benefit! (See St. John 16:23 and James 1:5-6) Ask a couple of hand-picked ‘prayer lieutenants’ to help you to pray about this. (Colossians 1:9). When the time is right, the Holy Spirit of God will fill your spirit with the knowledge of the perfect will of God concerning your illness or upcoming, major surgery. No doubt, at that point, you will be ready and willing to align your personal will and agenda with what the Holy Spirit is revealing as God’s Will and agenda!

3. TAKE STOCK OF THE GIFTS AND TALENTS GOD HAS LOANED YOU.

Assess the extent to which you have been using your gifts and talents to promote the purposes and work of God, and not just for your own economic and self-satisfying/ self-gratifying purposes and benefits.
Do you know that God will take your life before He removes from it the gifts and talents which He gave you to further His work and to improve the lot of humanity on this earth? (See Romans 11:29).
Use this season to prayerfully re-evaluate the priorities and motivations in your life. Adversities often come to bring about a change in our focus and/or to open our minds to what God wants from us. (See Romans 12: 1-2). Then, renew your pledge to use your gifts and talents (perhaps more fully) for God, after your surgery, recuperation or restoration.