I was shaking and had the chills. My vision faded in and out. The living room was on the second floor, and as I staggered up the stairs, I wasn’t sure that I would make it. I collapsed on the top stair, not moving, trying to will the dizziness and nausea away. I somehow managed to drag myself onto the couch, where I lay, every muscle in my body shaking. I was having convulsions. I tried to stop myself from shaking so hard, but when I tried to control my limbs and chest, my teeth began to chatter and my head throbbed. I tried to ride it out. Instead of getting better, it got worse—and I was home alone.

Healing diseased and afflicted bodies was a major part of Jesus’ ministry while on earth, and He can do the same today. He still desires to restore health to the afflicted that come to Him in faith. Divine healing is available to all who believe. It is a gift of God.
—David Brandt Berg

I lay there for an hour, convulsing so hard that my body nearly bounced off the couch. I couldn’t form a prayer. I couldn’t even think. My mind was completely occupied with trying to cope with the pain. Then there came a voice. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”1 It wasn’t a prayer or a thought, and I know now that it wasn’t a hallucination. It didn’t come from within me. It was a voice, and the instant I heard it my whole body went quiet. I stopped shaking.

As I suddenly lay still, my mind was a blur and I half expected the shaking to start up again, but it didn’t. I was healed—instantly and completely healed! Soon I was able to get up, and I continued with my day as though I had never been sick.

There have been times since when I have been sick and relief didn’t come as quickly as it did that day, but I understand now that healing is a gift. That day when I was as sick as I’ve ever been, when I was so sick I couldn’t even form a word to pray, I received that gift. When I couldn’t even lift a hand to reach out to Jesus, He reached out His and took mine.

Tomoko Matsuoka is a member of The Family International and an Activated staff writer.