My journey began in October, 2015. It started with a cough; a simple, nagging cough. Over the counter cough remedies were the rule of the day. However, they did not produce the desired results, and when the cough began to keep me (and my wife) awake through the night, I felt it was time to seek medical attention. So, mid-October I made my first visit to my family physician. After the examination, I was told that I had bronchitis, and was written a prescription for an antibiotic, and a cough suppressant.

The two-week antibiotic finished, the cough medication depleted, and yet the cough persisted. So, trip number two to the family physician. Another exam, another diagnosis of bronchitis, and another round of antibiotics – this round a little more powerful. I was assured by my physician that many times these persistent coughs could last for a few weeks before they would eventually subside.

Again, the two-week round of high powered antibiotics finished, and again, the cough medication gone, and again, the cough persisted. As a matter of fact, this time the cough had actually worsened. However, due to my hard-headedness, and my confidence in my family physician, I made yet another trip to his office. This was now into the year 2016, and the cough was continuing to grow worse and worse. Many nights were spent with little to no sleep due to the cough which had now grown so intense that my entire body ached from the excessive coughing spells. Once again, I was assured by my doctor that all was well, that there was not need for undue concern, and that he was confident that the cough had just about run its course.

Once again – antibiotics. Once again – cough suppressant. Once again, the diagnosis of bronchitis. And, once again, the cough continued to worsen. Finally, my wife decided enough was enough. She made an appointment for me to see a pulmonologist, who did something my family physician had never even suggested: a chest x-ray. Immediately upon viewing the x-ray, he made an appointment for me to have a bronchoscopy two days later. It revealed that I had a rare form of pneumonia called klebsiella. He prescribed an antibiotic that would zero in on the infection, and within a month the infection was gone.

Now, you may be wondering why I would take your time to read of this journey. It is with the desire that I might share with you a few lessons I learned while traveling this road. First, my faith and commitment to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was put to the test. A persistent cough for six months will cause one to question the reason for such an ordeal. This, then, leads to some serious soul-searching. “Father, is there some unknown sin in my life that You are striving to draw my attention to? If not, is there a lesson you would like me to learn from this experience so that I might be better equipped to minister to others? Please, Father, show me Your desired will and outcome in this matter.”

You see, my belief is that God has a purpose and plan for everything He brings into our personal human experience. I don’t want this experience to be wasted by not being open to God’s instruction.

Second, it forced me to review my beliefs concerning what happens after this life. Again, I am a firm believer in the teachings of God’s Word, and the Bible clearly teaches that this life is not all there is. As a matter of fact, this life is, according to the Apostle Paul, not even worthy to be compared with that which is before us in eternity. My wife and I had several conversations during this bout with pneumonia (especially before we knew the diagnosis, wondering if it might be something far more serious, perhaps even leading to death), about being prepared for the eventuality of my passing from this life. We reassured each other that God is indeed  in control, and that if I should pass through that final valley of the shadow of death, she would be safe in the arms of the Lord here, and I would be safe in His arms there.

Third, and finally, when the diagnosis was confirmed, and the pneumonia was cured, our intent is to give God all the glory for what He has done through the hands of my new doctor, and the medications he prescribed. But we want to make sure everyone who knows us realizes that we would have been the recipients of God’s grace even if He had allowed this to be the end of my earthly life.

Let me close with this story I read sometime ago. A mother with a young child went to her pastor and asked that he pray for the child who was seriously ill. As a matter of fact, the doctors had told the mother that there was a very high likelihood that her daughter would not survive. The pastor assured her of his prayers. A few days later, the mother called the pastor and informed him that God had graciously spared her child, and she exclaimed, “Isn’t God good!” The thought quickly came to the mind of the pastor, and he shared it with the elated mother, “Well, yes, God is good. But, would He have not been just as good had He allowed you daughter to die?” I thought about that several times during these past six months, and now, I can state with full assurance, “God is good!” But, it’s not because He cured my pneumonia, but just simply because He is good, all the time. I hope to share that with anyone and everyone who will take a moment to listen.