My story of recovery from an incurable disease

"Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." Jesus said to the bleeding woman who was instantly healed as she touched the fringe of His cloak.
(Mark 5:34)

For many years, I identified with this woman for bleeding was one of the symptoms I had been living with. I had been picturing that I would be restored just the way this woman above was: encounter Jesus somewhere, get healed instantly, and then Jesus would say to me, "Hey Rita! Your faith has healed you!"

Recently, I realized that He has a different, yet astounding, plan for me.

The bleeding woman

For over 20 years, I had been battling a disease called Ulcerative Colitis (UC), meaning that my colon was inflamed, developed ulcers, and caused intestinal bleeding. I have been told that there is no medical cure for UC, and the best I could do is manage or suppress the symptoms by taking medication for the rest of my life.

The thief

UC came with a range of symptoms associated with the digestive system, some of them were immensely unpleasant, and some were awfully embarrassing and detrimental to my social life and my career. It also led to serious emotional problems, triggering even more physical symptoms. I was hamstrung by this vicious cycle. UC was like the thief (mentioned in John 10:10) who came to "kill, steal, and destroy" my well-being and my normal life.

The question

A few months ago, I enrolled in a ministry training course at church. During one of the classes, I asked Steve, my pastor, a question about healing prayers. It took him less than a minute to give me the answer, but he cared enough to go far deeper. He went on to ask questions about my health condition; it turned out I had the privilege of having the whole group of anointed and loving leaders and students praying just for my recovery. I thought to myself; this might be the time for my long-anticipated healing miracle! The reality is, I wasn't healed instantly. However, I believe a major shift in the invisible realm began to take place.

The journey

In the following weeks and months, God took me on an utterly unexpected journey. He pointed me to some mind-blowing resources that included courses and docuseries that I never knew existed and never searched for. I finished one course, then another came to me, and so on—these resources centered around digestive health and covered concepts that my specialists never mentioned. I gained an understanding of the root cause of UC, of the biologies of the gut microbiome, and the immune system. I discovered that natural food is medicine, and most importantly, I learned the steps to restore my gut health.

The healing

Just three weeks after I began implementing my newly gained knowledge through making simple dietary changes, the awful symptoms that firmly entrenched in my life and seemed inseparable from me were all GONE. This never happened even when doctors put me on steroids. It felt surreal, and it still does. The truth is, I am HEALED.

The wonders

It amazes me that my health can be restored by getting food from the grocery stores and not by getting drugs from the pharmacy. It amazes me that my digestive health in my 40s can be way better than it was in my 20s. It amazes me that instead of granting me the instant miracle that I asked for, God guided me to understand His miraculous design of the human body and the healing power of natural foods He gives us.

The new normal

I am now living my unprecedented new normal, meaning I am feeling absolutely great every day, and I am “freed from suffering”, just like what Jesus told the bleeding woman. I consider it my new mission to share my experience and health tips with those who are struggling with UC.

My gratitude

My eternal gratitude to God, the Healer, who has chosen me to testify of His love and healing power in such a visible way. My heartfelt thanks to my husband and family for their tireless dedication. I would like to extend my appreciation to those who have ever cared for me and/or prayed for me. You know who you are.

If you are struggling with UC, please feel free to contact me. I have put together great resources for you, and I would love to pray for you.

Rita

Not an Instant Miracle