In a non-pandemic era, the two leading causes of death in the United States are heart disease and stroke. Of the ten leading causes of death, Heart disease is in the number one position, while stroke is in the number five position. Though there are several types of heart disease, coronary artery disease is the one that causes heart attacks. A heart attack is an emergency condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the heart get clogged and are no longer able to keep the heart alive. A heart attack is, then, the death of heart muscle due to a lack of blood supply. A stroke is similar in that the arteries that supply life-sustaining blood to the brain are clogged or they rupture and are unable to feed the brain.
I graduated from Texas Woman’s University in Dallas/Denton Texas with a Master’s degree in Nursing in 1974 as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Cardiovascular Nursing. Having worked in Coronary Care Units (CCUs) which are intensive care units specifically dedicated to the care of cardiac patients, for several years prior to receiving my Master’s degree, I was very familiar with heart attacks and strokes. At that time, the vast majority of individuals admitted to CCUs were men. It is true that heart attacks generally occur in men earlier (as earlier as 35 yrs. of age), but once women reach the post-menopausal years their chances of experiencing a heart attack approach the rate of men. Yet, we rarely saw women in the CCU. Women often did not survive heart attacks as the men did. They often died before admission, sometimes because they denied their symptoms. Much more is known about heart attacks and strokes in women today, and fortunately, women are afforded opportunities to be successfully treated just as men are. Following is the testimony of a young grandmother who, were it not for the intervention of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, might not be here today to tell her story. The fact that she is alive is an outstanding miracle. God does still intervene in the lives of those who trust Him.
If You Want To Know What a Miracle Looks Like, Look At Me!
By CL
Giving honor to God who is the head of my life. I thank God for being saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost. I thank God for my leaders, Apostle Herman L. Murray, Lady Daniele Murray, and I honor the memory of the Founding Father and Mother of Full Gospel Holy Temple Churches Inc., the Late Apostle Lobias, and Dr. Shirley Murray.
On February 8, 2021, in the middle of the Pandemic, I had a life-threatening experience. I was grocery shopping when suddenly I became weak and my chest started to burn like fire, but I kept shopping. As I proceeded to pick up items in the store, my chest began to burn so badly and I became so weak that a loaf of bread became too heavy for me to pick up and put into my basket. I reached for other items that were usually lightweight but, due to the burning in my chest, I was not able to pick them up.
As I walked from the store my chest continued to burn like fire. I finally made it to my car, but I had to sit and rest for a while due to the burning in my chest. I was able to crank the car and drive home, but I could not lie down due to the severe burning. I didn’t know what it was. I thought it was acid reflux, and since it didn’t stop, I drove myself to the hospital. When I arrived, I told the nurse that I felt like I was about to pass out due to the burning. The nurse told me to wait, but I told her that I couldn’t wait because I was going to fall out.
They immediately took me to the back in a wheelchair where they took my vital signs. My blood pressure was 200/104. They connected me to an EKG machine because I was experiencing a major heart attack. They then started giving me medicine such as Baby aspirin and nitroglycerine. They continued to give me the medicines every five minutes because the pain was so excruciating. The doctor came and said that I needed to be admitted, therefore, they put me in a cardiac room, saying repeatedly that I needed open-heart surgery.
But I began to call on the name of Jesus, asking Him to help me. I continually cried, saying, “Jesus, help me, Jesus, help me.” I said, “Father, I need You to help me in the name of Jesus!” He stopped the pain, but throughout the day, it returned over and over again. I thank God that He anointed my doctors and they came to a good decision. Instead of the open-heart surgery, they decided to place seven stents into my heart. My God came through for me. Instead of the open-heart surgery, I was able to get up and go home.
After I went home, the doctors began to call me, telling me that I had had a stroke on my right side. I began to look for evidence of a stroke but I responded, “No I didn’t have a stroke” because I didn’t feel it. They continued to assess me for a stroke for five months, but I am a miracle. But God! I can walk, run, lift my hands and arms. I stand and I’m working for the Lord as an Usher in the church because He has given me everlasting life. I do believe in miracles. If you want to see one, look at me! God kept me through that horrible experience and I know that He answers prayers. My God loves me and I appreciate what He’s doing in my life. Amen!
God is a prayer-answering God and He does intervene in the lives of His people today. At so many points of this entire experience, this young woman could have died…but God! We’re presenting her story to let you know several things:
1. God is a healer:
26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. Exodus 15:26.
2. God hears and answers the prayers of the righteous:
31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. John 9:31
3. God loves you and He wants you to be His child. Jesus died on a cruel cross so that you can have Him intervene when you need Him. But most of all, He wants to save your soul and deliver you from a burning Hell. Give your heart to Him today. Repent and be saved. To repent you simply say these or similar simple words, but mean them with all of your heart:
Father, forgive me of all my sins. Come into my heart and take control of my life. If you save me today, I will live for you forever. Fill me with the Holy Ghost and give me the power to live the life that you require of me and so that I may be a witness for you. Amen.
May God bless you.
