Everything is for His Glory

I had always considered myself a religious person growing up. I was raised in a Christian family, by two faithful parents. I spent my adolescent years in the church. Up until my mid-twenties, life had been smooth, and I was able to secure admission to a doctorate program in Australia. I felt that becoming a scholar was God’s calling in my life. Everything came crashing down, however, when I was diagnosed with tuberculosis during my Visa application. Although the disease itself was not life-threatening, it was enough to have my application denied. As a result, I lost my admission and my confidence in God’s providence.

I was angry and furious at myself for getting sick and at God for allowing this to happen. During my 9-month treatment. I spent 6 months being depressed and questioning my faith in the Lord. God, however, had other plans for me. He allowed me to spend those gruelling months with my family, whom I had not lived with ever since I moved overseas for my secondary education. This period of my life repaired my relationship with them. God also put me in a church community, This helped to renew my faith and develop it to be stronger. I began to stop blaming myself for my sickness and accepted that this happened so that the works of God could be displayed.

At the end of my treatment, God revealed another of His plans. He gave me my admission back (with a scholarship!). Not only that, my Visa application proceeded without a hitch. God’s promise is truly “Yes and amen”. I truly believe that God has turned my suffering into joy and that things happen so that God may be glorified.

John 11:4, When Jesus heard this, He said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”