Paul's Testimony

My name is Paul. I’ve been attending Trinity for the past six years with my wife Chris and our three children. We chose to make Trinity our church family because we felt welcomed, liked the strong biblical basis, and the importance of prayer.

I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in May, 1994. The gist of this disease is that the immune system is misdirected and attacks primarily the joints. In rare cases it also attacks other systems in the body – in my case, the lungs. My lung function dropped from 130% of normal to 50%. I went to Mayo for a second opinion in September, 2002. The pulmonologist planned to increase my meds and indicated I would be visiting the lung transplant team when I came back. He told me that a transplant was likely in my lifetime – 75% odds. I walked out of Mayo in shock.

I felt incredible stress. One morning I was working around the house and had sat down for about forty minutes. At the end of sitting, I checked my pulse and found it to be 130. I went to the ER, and the doctors said my oxygen level wasn’t adequate, and I needed to take bottled oxygen home. However, they finally concluded that it was okay to go without the oxygen. There were a couple verses I recited countless times to combat the anxiety:
Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 3:5,6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

These verses gave me contentment – no matter the outcome. I also thought about how much Jesus loves me. Christ suffered terribly and died a shameful death at my age for my sin. Yet I am able to ask him to heal my infirmity and lift me out of the pit of despair.

Soon after the ER incident, I called the church and asked for a prayer service for healing. I was amazed how many Trinity members came to the prayer service. It is an indelible memory for me. I remember thinking, “What a blessing to be lifted up in prayer by so many folks.” It was quite humbling how Trinity members continued to lift me up in prayer after the prayer service and asked how I was doing.

During this time worship and times with God became the most powerful I have ever experienced. There wasn’t a worship service when I wasn’t overwhelmed by God’s love for me.

In November, 2002, I went back to Mayo. My lung function had not deteriorated at all!!!! Praise be to God for his abundant grace to me. When I talked with my pulmonologist, he indicated it could be decades before we would talk about transplants. I told him I wasn’t picky, five or six would be fine….