God is always in control!
“Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city” – Psalm 31:21. This psalm proclaims a personal truth for me, for God has surely revealed his marvellous kindness in my life! This is what the Lord has done for me.
Just over two months ago I began experiencing severe and seemingly unexplainable abdominal pains. I had experienced similar pains prior, however they were never as prominent or recurring as what I was now experiencing. Due to the nature of the pain, I was frequently in hospital where efforts were taken to try and diagnose the cause. I was finally referred by our family doctor for an ultrasound were I was diagnosed with multiple gallstones. This discovery shocked everyone, including various medical staff, as there was no logical explanation for why I could have them; however, that was the case, and now we needed to focus on what was to be done next. I was in conflict as to whether or not I should use natural remedies or undergo surgery as recommended, as there were a number of various factors involved that I needed to consider. I immediately changed my diet and decided to have surgery. Looking back at this decision, I praise the Lord for His guidance, as unbeknown to me and other medical staff, my gallbladder had become inflamed and infected.
The next challenge we were to face was finding a surgeon. The Lord knew our situation, and we prayed that He would provide and He did. He provided in such a way that we didn’t even need to search for a surgeon. My surgery was scheduled for the 13th of June. This was still quite a wait; however, I knew that it was the earliest surgery I could obtain. I was informed that I would be notified if an earlier operation was made available. During the weeks that followed I experienced a number of severe gallbladder attacks that took me at least one week to recover from each time. This was devastating as I was unable to work, attend university or work on my assignments. At this point I was really praying that God would provide me with an earlier surgery, and He did. Continuously, prayers were being answered! I was now scheduled for surgery on the 20th of May.
The day of my surgery finally came around, and all appeared to go well. However, during the night that followed my surgery, I was experiencing a lot of pain, more than usual for the type of surgery I had. The following morning, I was unable to stand or walk as I was constantly feeling dizzy and fainting. I was then assessed by the medical team at Bentley hospital and was immediately transferred to Fiona Stanley hospital for another emergency operation as I was discovered to be bleeding internally. Again I want to praise the Lord for His dealing in this situation. The day of my operation, I met with a particular nurse for a pre-assessment before entering surgery. The nurse, however, had finished her shift when I came out of surgery, and I did not see her again. I praise God that the following morning this nurse was working again as she was the nurse who suspected that something was very wrong because she had seen me before the operation and could notice the drastic change. I believe that God was working right from the beginning because had I not seen that nurse earlier or had she not been working the following day, I am at a loss as to what could have happened; things could have been much worse than they already were.
At Fiona Stanley hospital I was assessed and admitted for surgery. This operation was to find and stop the bleeding site and drain all the blood I had already lost. The operation lasted six hours. I lost two litres of blood and needed five blood transfusions to begin recovering safely. The days following were hard and recovery slow. I was suspected of still having some gallstones trapped in one of my ducts and if so would need to have another procedure done to remove them. To determine this, I had an MRI, and I thank God that all was clear! I was eventually released from hospital and resumed recovery at home.
This experience was a scary one, but I know that God saved my life, and I know that He can work good from these circumstances, and He already has. Throughout my recovery I was informed of the many people and churches throughout the world praying for me. I was completely overwhelmed and touched by the support and prayers ascending up to God on my behalf. An experience was shared where some people felt impressed to begin praying for me the day of my operation without actually realising what was happening. Prayer chains were started up in my father’s country, Seychelles; prayer groups commenced all through Australia, and even individuals who professed no faith began to pray! This was wondrously amazing; and if this was the outcome of me enduring all that I did, if so many people were brought together in unity and if others began to pray for the first time, then it was all worth it!
Things often happen in life that we cannot explain or that appear so terrible, but the blessing is that God is there to hear us when we call and to help us. God works miracles, and I know that He worked a miracle in my life! Without Him I may not have been here today to share this experience of deliverance with you all, and that is scary. Please remember that no matter what happens, God is there and He always has a plan. We cannot see what lies ahead, but He can, so put your trust and your faith completely in Him and He will deliver!
“Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.” ~ Psalm 31:5
“O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” ~ Psalm 31:23, 24
Letter of Thanks
To those who knew me and prayed, and to those who did not know me and still prayed!
I have been through twenty years of my life and never once did I imagine that something this extreme could have happened to me. I have often felt and prayed for individuals and families who have been through trying circumstances, but neglected to see the reality of the words ‘it can happen to anyone’. I believe that we readily get absorbed and caught up in the world around us and the disguised beauties it offers; we continue living as though we still have tomorrow. I cannot express enough the falsity of this claim. We cannot keep living this way. We don’t have tomorrow; we only have today, this moment. My experience has really taught me that things can change in the blink of an eye, when we least expect them to, and how important it is that we are ready at any moment.
Words cannot express the depth of my gratitude for all your thoughts and prayers; I have been overwhelmed by all the support. I believe that it is only by the grace of God that I am still here today and want to give praise and thanks to God for His boundless mercy towards me and my family. I want to encourage everyone to continue praying to God, to continue pleading with Him and to continue offering requests and prayers of thanksgiving; God does hear, and He does answer. My life today is a gift from God and an answer to prayer.
Psalm 20 holds the miracle and promise that I believe was worked in my life through Christ Jesus –
“The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.”
It is often difficult to see the good in tribulations, but I believe that God will use this experience to His glory and that good will come of it; whether we see this now or in the future, God is in control of all. Life is so fragile and short, but most of all it is a gift, and it is my prayer that we will use this gift to glorify God in every moment that we live. Continue living in the faith of Jesus!
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Amariah Payet
“The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.” Psalm 6:9
“Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalm 106:48