ISAIAH 41:13
Have you ever felt as if your world is trying to fall apart? As a young teen, I was like any other girl. I devoted a lot of my time to physical activities like dance and cross country, and everything seemed to be fine. Then I began to have unusual health symptoms that caused my physician to be concerned, so I went through a few tests to determine the problem. Soon after, at the age of fifteen, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. At the doctor’s pronouncement, I felt numb, cold. Could this be happening to me? For real? I was told that Crohn’s is a chronic condition that is treatable, but no cure is available. I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. But I’m so young, I thought. I never thought about something like this would happen to me. And I never thought something so bad could teach me so much about God and His love for me.
Meredith Koontz, 17, North Buncombe High School, Weaverville, NC
Father, it so amazing how an illness can
be a blessing if I trust You. Give me the faith
to see even sickness as a way to grow closer to You.