This morning, I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me to reach out to a sister in Christ who hadn’t been feeling well. We had been praying for her, and I was expecting good news.
But her reply was not good news. She told me she was feeling worse.
I went straight into prayer. “Jesus, what does she need? What does she need?” I kept thinking of what His Word says about healing and life, and of Jesus’ invitation to abide in Him. I didn’t try to fix this on my own. For me, turning to Jesus so quickly was a change worth noticing.
I prayed and prayed. Then, eventually, I stopped talking and listened.
First, I saw a large rock beside a cold, choppy Atlantic Ocean off the Maine coastline. That is where my friend lives. Then I saw a cold shower, and I heard: “75 seconds” and “Yahweh, Yahweh” with breathing.
Wait. What?
It was November. In Maine. I knew that suggesting a cold shower to someone who already felt unwell would be unpleasant. And I started questioning myself. Did Jesus really say that? Or was I imagining it?
Earlier that morning, I had been reading Matthew 14, when Jesus called Peter out onto the water. Peter stepped toward Him, then began to sink as he doubted. Now I was wondering whether my own doubt was getting in the way.
Even with those questions, I felt a surprising peace and a persistent urge to call my friend. She didn’t answer. I shared what I believed I had heard, and she texted that she was going to do it. I told her I would keep praying.
Then I returned to Peter’s story. Why did Peter doubt? Why was I doubting?
As I sat with those questions, I saw something uncomfortable: pride and fear. What if I had heard wrong? What if I shared this and she didn’t get better? What would that mean about me?
Suddenly I realized how much I had turned the moment toward myself instead of keeping my attention on Jesus and my friend.
About ten minutes later, she texted again. She had tried the shower. She said she felt refreshed, and that the experience reminded her she could do things that felt impossible or painful by trusting Jesus instead of relying only on her own strength.
That brought me back to Paul’s words about weakness and God’s grace in 2 Corinthians 12.
This is not a story in which I can tell you my friend was physically healed. I don’t know that. Nor do I claim every impression I have in prayer is certainly a message from Jesus. What I can tell you is what I sensed, what I shared, and what this experience revealed in me.
I used to think I had to make everything make sense. I am learning to bring my uncertainty to Jesus rather than give my doubt the final word.
The Daily Call sisterhood has helped me grow in that kind of trust. Listening to other women tell how they have recognized God at work has encouraged me to listen, pray, and keep seeking Him.
I am so grateful that the Lord is near. He is with us. And I am still learning to listen.
Scripture to remember
“And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”
Matthew 14:31 · King James Version (KJV)
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 · King James Version (KJV)
These verses invite faith and dependence on Jesus; they are not a promise of healing from any particular action.
If you are unsure what you heard
Bring your uncertainty to Jesus. Test what you sense against Scripture, seek wise counsel, and do not confuse a personal prompting with medical advice. His grace meets us in our weakness, and we can keep listening and learning to trust Him.