I have terrible allergies.
I remember my secondary school days when I had to bring tissue boxes to school because I was dripping like a tap from my nose- my allergic rhinitis was that bad.
My nightmare? Having an allergy on the day I need to preach.
And that’s exactly what happened yesterday.
I felt great in the morning. But triggered by some dust, the allergy storm exploded into an irreversible maelstrom of watery eyes, uncontrollable sneezes, and a drippy nose.
I felt like a train wreck. It poured outside. In an hour, I had to be up on stage to deliver what I’d hoped would be a powerful message.
“Oh God, I pleaded. Please help me. Don’t let this stand in my way.”
During worship, the most incredible thing happened. A warm sensation cascaded from my head to my toes and I believe, that amidst the praise and faith that rose up, healing and restoration came down.
I went up, preached like an athlete, gave an altar call. People ran down, wept. Lives were changed. God did it!
But as soon as I got home, the allergy storm restarted, hitting harder this time. I lay on the floor, paralyzed with fatigue.
It was then that I felt God speak to me- that as much as we are willing to lay our lives down for His purposes, as much as He is able to do beyond and above what we think or imagine, His miracles are at times limited by our faith levels when we ask.
Why did I only ask to be well enough to preach? Why not ask to be healed for the day, or forever?
Today, if you’re struggling with an ailment, a thorn in your flesh, don’t pray mediocre prayers. Don’t look at your task at hand and ask for provision for just that. Think global. Think outcome. Think eternity. What were you made for in the kingdom? Dare to ask. Go all the way. God is able.