He Sent His Word

by Trina Hankins

These scriptures seemed to leap up from my spirit like a reviving fountain of life. I was regaining consciousness after suffering a seizure to find myself surrounded by hospital staff and friends. "You're gonna make it ... you're healed by Jesus' stripes," I could hear them say.

Proverbs 4:20-22 says, "My son attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them and health to all their flesh."

All my life I had struggled with my health since allergies and asthma were almost a daily happening. Mama and Daddy were so caring and always prayed for me. Many nights I remember Daddy holding me in the chair and praying until we both fell asleep. In the early seventies the light on faith healing began to shine bright in our lives. We devoured books on the subjects of the authority of the believer, healing, and faith. That's when I found out I have a part to play in receiving healing. I began to see that it is something already purchased for me and through faith I could receive healing.

My faith seemed so small and I struggled so much-but there was hope! Jesus said the Word of God is a seed (Mark 4). If the seed would be planted by believing and watered by acknowledging it out loud through meditation and praise, that seed would grow to produce results.

It was as if the light turned on for me! (Psalm 119:130) I had a collection of healing scriptures and confessions that I would meditate on every day. Some nights I had to sit in a chair to breathe. I would get those scriptures, start at the beginning and go to the end. By then, I would get relief. I would take my medicine and God's medicine because Proverbs 4:22 says, "His words are healing and health, medicine to all our flesh." I praised, I cried, I sang, I laughed, and I did my best to act on the Word. All the time the seed was growing.

Several years later we moved to Louisiana where allergies are irritated more by the molds, etc. But my health began to get stronger. One thing stands out and it is that fear began to be replaced by boldness and confidence in the face of my enemies.

On Sunday evening, July 7, 1991, I left the church service with a headache. A few minutes later I suffered a seizure. I thank God for doctors and others in the medical profession nearby who acted quickly to get help.

My husband noticed people going in and out of the service and then ambulance lights outside the church. No one wanted to disturb the preaching of the Word, so they hesitated to interrupt him. He stopped and inquired as to what was going on and then heard the report.

After tests, MRI's, etc. had been run, the diagnosis was an inoperable brain tumor. It really does make a difference the "company" of people you fellowship with. In times of crisis it will decide if there is victory or defeat. Mark took a stand on the Word and decided not to fear, but only believe. A sign was posted outside the hospital door which said, "No Wavering Allowed." Only a few people were admitted into the room-people of strong faith and loved ones with a spirit of a conqueror. I found that when your body is down, sensitivity to others' attitudes is heightened. Sympathy, though well-meaning, is detrimental. Jesus Himself even had to put certain people out of the room to keep faith in (Mark 5:40).

From Monday through Friday many tests were run, tears cried, battles fought, and praises sung. I'm forever grateful to those dear ones who prayed so very fervently and praised God so confidently. On Friday, I was prepared for surgery, a biopsy to determine if the tumor was malignant. My husband was briefed concerning the complications that could result from this surgery, such as paralysis or other brain damage. The future in the natural was bleak - facing more experimental surgery in Atlanta or Dallas. But God . . . He makes all the difference. I remember lying on the bed, being wheeled down to surgery, laughing at the contraption they had plastered to my head to assist them in the process. I had no fear or dread - only peace.

After hours of waiting through the process, Mark was greeted by a pleased, but puzzled doctor. He said they thoroughly and repeatedly explored for the tumor, but it was no longer there! I returned home after a few days to recover from the effects of the surgery. Each day of recovery had its struggles but I had an assurance that what God had started, He would finish.

Our family took a vacation soon after to Colorado. On the way we stopped to see Bro. Kenneth Hagin, and I remember his giving some invaluable instruction. He said many times healing is lost in a counter attack, and that we need to hold fast to what God had done. Sure enough, symptoms would occur – depression would come. There would be times when I did not want to live. But once again, "He sent His Word."

While reading the story of the woman with the issue of blood, something stood out to me. Mark 5:34 (AMP), "Daughter, your faith . . . has restored you to health. Go in (into) peace and be continually healed and freed from your disease." Healing is a process, supernatural from beginning to end. The peace of God, I found, is not passive, but active. Philippians 4:7 (AMP) says, "It will garrison and mount guard over your heart and mind."

I learned that healing is received into your spirit and affects the body. I found that God's peace is also spiritual and will affect the mind, will, and emotions, fighting the battle for you. To this day I am continually healed and made whole, experiencing more of God's redemption and peace.

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