Last Hope

Last Hope

Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” Luke 8:46

Elaine sat quietly in the corner of the waiting room. When her name was called, she got up slowly from her chair and made her way down the hall to the exam room.

“I don’t know what to do,” she said. “I’m swelling all over. It’s worse in my legs, and I’m losing my strength. I’m always short of breath, and I don’t think I can take another step.”

We helped her into the room, and I began my exam.

“I’ve seen at least ten doctors before I came to see you, and they all just shook their heads. They couldn’t give me an answer. You’re my last hope.”

She had visited a number of specialists, and most of the doctors on her list were much more qualified than I was. If they hadn’t turned up anything specific, how could she expect me to have an answer? I was just a country doctor.

But I was also a believer. “Let’s pray that God will show us what’s wrong,” I suggested. “Perhaps he can use one of the tests I’ll run to give us some answers.”

After we prayed together, I said, “I’ll track down the test results from the other doctors you’ve visited, and I’ll order some additional ones. Once we have all the results, we’ll see what God can tell us.”

During the week, while I pondered Elaine’s condition, I thought about the bleeding woman who had reached out to touch the robe of Jesus. I’m sure she had sought help from other healers and that none had been able to help her. As she approached Jesus, he was her last hope.

A week later, with the test results in hand, I had an idea of what was causing Elaine’s symptoms. She had nephritic syndrome, which her nephrologist later determined was due to abnormal protein flowing through her blood. After another week, we were able to confirm a diagnosis of amyloidosis—a condition that causes protein to build up in other tissues and organs. Once we identified the cause, we were able to determine the treatment. Elaine needed a bone marrow transplant.

A few months later, Elaine walked into my office and smiled. She was back to her normal self.

TODAY’S RX

When seeking treatment, be persistent, and never give up. Lean on the Lord in faith, and trust his wisdom.

Lord, give me the patience to endure what I’m facing and the reassurance that you have all the answers. I trust in you to direct my path to healing.