But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (2Timothy 4:17)
I could echo these very words as if it were my own life. Jesus has truly stood with me and strengthened me throughout my life when death was calling. Mental torment didn’t take me out, severe depression didn’t take me out, schizophrenia didn’t take me out, anxiety disorder and constant panic attacks didn’t take me out, liver disease didn’t take me out, heart disease didn’t take me out, cancer didn’t take me out, being molested as a child for years didn’t take me out, homelessness didn’t take me out, a life of sexual immorality didn’t take me out but surely God has healed me from all of these in great depth, because repentance works.
Even deeper then that is that God has put an assignment on my life to tell of His power and love and what His delivering power accomplishes. Even when I had a stroke and was told in 1996 that the HIV I contracted would kill me in 6 months, God saw otherwise. I have literally been delivered from the mouth of the lion for His glory, not so that I could just enjoy my life, but to glorify Him. Is life difficult still? Sure, but the journey is so powerful and God’s mercy and love so overwhelming. He has proved Himself over and over and I never thought I could love Him so.
I say all this to bring you encouragement and hope. Every heart ache, every pain, every disaster, every disease, every tragedy, every diagnosis, every death sentence ever handed to you can be used by God to show Himself strong. He is a saving and restoring God who loves to turn hopeless situations into new beginnings. Our part in this is to trust Him and turn all over to Him. Your life has meaning and purpose for His glory and He loves you. There is a reason why you have made it through the storms of life. It is all about Jesus receiving glory through us in every way and every day. We are alive to live for Him and demonstrate the power, love and glory of our Father.
We can shout it from the rooftops, I know why I am alive!
TMMC-The Teaching Ministry of Michael Cannatello
