Editor's note: I can't say that all the sickness and sufferings are not God's punishment, but has seen many pastors and preachers used by God suffering from cancer and successively passing away. Maybe what we suffer is not God's punishment. None of us deserves grace or is sinless. If the suffering that is not a punishment doesn't destroy us, the experience may be praised.
Born in Shanghai, Sister J works in a competitive company with a master's degree. She has been single for many years. In her most confusing days, her father was diagnosed with cancer and her mother, exhausted from taking care of him, fell ill. Knowing the cancer news, she felt as if heaven would fall. As the only child of her family, she had to look after them both. Meanwhile, she had no choice but to resign from her stressful job.
In the different times, she poured out her hearts before her pastor. Although the pastor was in the United States, he knelt down and prayed with her over the phone. The prayer often lasted over an hour. Her pastor told her, "God loves you. He lifts up every tear you shed."
The suffering might not be the punishment from God.
Being single and busy with work for a long time, Sister J was in an apathetic and tense relationship with her parents for a long time. But God arranged them to stay together because of the disease. Her filial respect melted her parents' inner hard ice and they became a harmonious family again.
More importantly, her parents worshiped idols and she was the only Christian. As she shared the gospel with them, her parents became Christians one after another.
While he laid on his deathbed with dull senses, she accompanied him with tears running down her face. Suddenly her father regained consciousness and said the final word, "Don't cry because I'm going to the heaven." Then he breathed his last breath and died.
God was so mindful of her that He gave her the opportunity to preach to his father who received the peace from Jesus before the death.
If she were giving a presentation in the building office as normal to win the praise and applause of other people, had that been more helpful to her parents?
After her father's death, she quickly found a job with a higher salary.
Her mother went to church with her at weekends. The smile on the face of her mother revealed the serenity and peace inside. She knew who was in control of her faith and that she would see her husband in the heaven in God's chosen time.
Now people think that the only fly in the ointment is that Sister J remains single. Does she have the gift of celibacy or still wait for the right one? It doesn't matter because this is also in the hands of God.
- Translated by Karen Luo
