Cheer Devotion 8/28/17- My Testimony

Cheer Devotion 8/28/17 -My Testimony
By Charity Horinka

 

It has been on my heart for a while now to share my testimony with y’all, but I’ve always struggled with sharing it because I don’t want the attention to be on me, or for people to feel sorry for me. It’s not about me though. It’s about what GOD has done in my life and taught me. So when Coach Kate asked me to lead a devotion, I felt that was my sign to go ahead and share it.

I grew up in good, Christian home, and was saved when I was seven. Life was pretty great and easy…. until right before my 13^th birthday.

--I had surgery on my wrist, and a couple weeks later my health really went downhill from there. I dealt with muscle spasm/seizure problems, which eventually progressed to include temporary paralysis problems along with some other stuff. No one could figure out what was wrong or why it was happening. Several doctors and nurses didn’t believe me and told me it was all in my head. It really started to get me down, and I became upset, and very worried as things went on. Not having control over your body, or being able to walk or talk at times, was very scary.

Through that, my faith in God was tested, but became so much stronger because of it. I also realized how much I took for granted; walking, talking, eating, fixing my hair, getting dressed, etc. There were many days I couldn’t do those things, or at least without help (which was very hard for me, being that I’m very independent  and stubborn). It taught me to thankful for even the small things, because they can be taken away in the blink of an eye. I also saw how God’s hand is in everything. I remember being in the car on the way to the ER late one night, feeling anxious, when “Overcomer” came on the radio. Suddenly I felt at peace realizing that I was an overcomer: I could overcome this. Not by myself, but with the help of Jesus Christ just as Philippians 4:13 says… “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

As time went on, those problems got better. We never got to the bottom of them, but nonetheless we were thankful they were gone, praised the Lord, and continued on with life.

Fast forward, and later on after lots more tests and Doctor’s, I find out my jaw joints are degenerating. I was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis, and I have it in pretty much every joint in my body. It can cause a lot of swelling, pain, and stiffness; which causes you to move like an 80 year old (hence my nickname, Granny).

I was frustrated about having more problems, that’s for sure. But I was reminded that while it was painful and hard to do basic things like walk, talk, and eat, at least I could still do those things, because I certainly remember what it was like to be unable to do those things at all.

I ended up having 3 jaw surgeries. The 1^st one helped a lot for a few months, but the other 2, not so much. I started having to give myself 2 weekly shots – one being a low dose of chemo (which came with several very unpleasant side effects).

I got pretty upset.  Why couldn’t I seem to keep my head above water? Why couldn’t I just find something to give me some pain relief? Why couldn’t I just live a normal teenage life? One not filled with Doctor appointments, all kinds of tests, lots of needles, pills, surgeries, and constant pain.

Then God reminded me how blessed I am.

--I look at all little kids who have to go through this: They’ve never even had a normal childhood. So many of them can’t run, jump, or ride a bike. Several are even in wheelchairs because the pain and swelling cause them to be unable to walk.  I was blessed to have the ability to do those things and live a normal childhood.

--For some of them the arthritis has affected their eyes or heart (which could cause them to go blind or die).  Thank the good Lord I have not been affected in those areas.

--Little babies cry because it hurts them to even be HELD because they are in so much pain. So little, so innocent, unable to understand, yet they have to go through all this pain, the shots, the meds,  Doctor  appointments, and tests.

--Some are no longer able to play the sport they love.  I am blessed to still be able to cheer.

--I also look at a little boy I knew from my church who battled cancer, went through much worse chemo, plus radiation, and eventually went on to be with the Lord.  My side effects from chemo were not fun, and my hair became thin and brittle, but unlike him, I still had hair. My side effects were not near as bad as his, and I am blessed to still be alive and here with my friends and family.

So while life is never easy, I want to encourage you;  try to always be thankful, keep your eyes on the Lord, remember that God is with you every step of the way, and give God the glory as 1 Corinthians 15:57 says… “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”