When I first started going to church, I would listen to the Pastor, the beautiful passionate prayers spoken, and how excited and passionate the music directors are. I wondered how did they get that passion for our Lord and Savior?  I would watch the congregation and how they interacted with others.  Everyone at my church seemed to have this special gift that just made them different in a really good way.  I wanted that so bad but really did not know how to get it.

In 2017, I had a brain bleed while at work. It was very scary, and I had no idea at the time what I was in for.  I had many doctors and was finally referred to Duke Hospital to a specialist.  I went through many tests, MRIs, CT scans and finally had a diagnosis.  I had a brain disease called Cavernous Malformations which are legions on the brain that sometimes bleed.  Some people only have one or two, but I continue to get more, the count now exceeds 85 and there is no cure.

After my disease had a name, I had my pity party for a while, but this is where my story starts to change.  My Pastor asked if he and the deacons could come pray and anoint me with oil.  I was surprised because I was not even a member of the church at that time. There is that special gift again.  Of course, I said.  That was an amazing experience. My entire family was with me and I have never heard such beautiful prayers.  I really felt the Holy Spirit moving all around me that night.  I could not get this off my mind.  That next afternoon I got a card from a dear lady from church that said “Walk by Faith no by sight” 2 Corinthians 5:7. I have that card in my office till this day, 4 years later. 

⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

NKJV

The love I felt from my church changed my life forever.  I started spending time in God’s word, I prayed a lot more, and now it was truly heartfelt, not robot prayers. All the sudden, I started noticing I was thinking differently than before, I was now depending on the guidance from God.  WOW, I had finally found that special gift I have been wanting for so long.  I now know that special gift has a name, and it is Faith.  My brain disease was devastating but by faith, I do not worry about it, faith has set my free.

If you are looking for faith, it is a gift from God, but it only comes through his word.  What I mean by that is, you must study scriptures.  Learn who God is, and the sacrifices he made for you.  Read the bible, study it, and get a personal relationship with God, talk to him daily, and you will have that special gift of Faith too.

When someone ask me how to get faith, I usually tell them you will find your faith in God’s word, but you do have to work for it.  The example I give is if someone out of shape goes to the gym.  They see an athlete there with muscles everywhere and can run 3 miles while talking on the phone.  Trust me, that athlete has been working very hard for a long time to achieve the level of fitness he currently has.  Faith is the same way; you must work at it but the rewards you get are priceless.