Let me testify.

For about three weeks I have been attacked in my body to the point I had to go to the hospital.

I didn’t let the public know, but those who are intercessors, God revealed to them that there was a attack against my body.

Now this attack came not from witchcraft, the devil, or somebody cursing me!  It happen because I didn’t properly take care of myself in a revival.

When I went to South Carolina, the air conditioning in those two assignments was not working and in the course of me preaching, I got overheated, wet and very uncomfortable.

I didn’t bring a change of clothes, therefore, when I left out I was wet and hot and it was raining and wet.

My pores were open and it caused me to experience a situation in my respiratory system that escalated, because I yet didn’t get my rest to replenish my body.

I then begin to understand why it’s important to make sure that you take time to truly regroup and recover when you have had a physical situation that can compromise your organs and immune system.

It’s very seldom I get a cold, but I got one due to neglect on my part.  I always try to cover my chest and head, especially after I have labored hard for the people.

Anybody who knows me knows I don’t like to go to the doctor.  I have to be almost dead to go to the hospital, but last week as I was lying in the bed The LORD begin to deal with me and said I need to go.

I was trying everything I could, but couldn’t really get a physical breakthrough.

I went to the hospital and as soon as I entered through the door, the receptionist says, “You’re having trouble breathing!”

I said, “Yes.”  She said, “I heard you breathing coming through the door.”

She immediately call for a gurney and alerted the doctor in the back that I was in distress.

Well, needless to say, they immediately worked on me while I prayed for God to help me, because of my neglect in taking care of myself.

As I was then in a quiet place, The Spirit of The LORD said to me these words, “Physician heal thyself.”

I said,  “Father, what do you mean?”

He said,  “Daughter, you must now learn true balance and understand the importance of knowing what is your assignment and what is not.”

He said,  “You are so busy doing for others, until you are allowing yourself to be worn down.  You are no good for the people if you’re afflicted weary and sickly.

You must learn how to say “No!” and understand what I have given you to do, and what I haven’t.

For three weeks you have been going steadily when you needed to rest!  Some things were not your problem to get involved in, but yet you were trying to help everybody.

In these three weeks, how many of those who say they love you, who call you their leader, reached out to feel a burden for you?”

He said,  “It’s not just for you to pour into people, but there should be persons who can pour back into you when you are going through something.”

As I thought about it, I realized that He was right.  I had given so much of myself and then when I needed to help myself, I had nothing to give me.

So during this time as I recover my strength, I’m making healthy choices, bringing my life into balance and making sure that while I’m taking care of others, that I’m also seeing about myself.

I’m learning to know what I have been given the grace for; that not every cry is for me; that I’m only one person; and that if I’m going to live, I can’t let myself go.

So I wanted to share this testimony with other leaders, because often times we suffer in our bodies mind and life because we don’t take care of ourselves.

We neglect being healthy in every area of our lives, trying to make sure everybody else is healed and whole.

Today I want to encourage you to not just think about others, but think about yourselves also.  Stop letting people say you’re selfish, because you take some time off to make sure you stay in a healthy state.

I thank God for those who called and prayed for me because The LORD put me on your heart, that you didn’t pull on me, but let me rest so that I can regain my physical strength, and who are continuing to check on me to make sure I’m alright.  You are so loving and kind.

I won’t waste time energy or words on some of the negative things that were even said just because I couldn’t answer some calls or texts, or the attitudes that were revealed about how persons think.

People tell on themselves at times.  I just pray for them, move on and live!

People, don’t neglect your well being, making sure everybody else is well.  Remember, God didn’t make you to be the supplier of everyone’s needs.  He alone holds that responsibility.

Just know your grace, your boundary and your assignments, and operate in the capacity.

definitely learned this lesson in a greater measure this pass three weeks.  But the good thing was I was able to truly listen, re-calibrate and move in His instructions and directions.

Sometimes it’s not for you to let people know all that you go through until it’s time to testify that He brought you out.

Oh yes, I thank God for those again who prayed for me; had me on their hearts; and took the time to pray for me!  I’m so glad that you heard The LORD and obeyed.

Love you all, and I’m yet praying, listening and releasing when He tells me.

As Keosha Rainer said to me, I’ve never seen you rest this long and not traveled as long as I have known you!

I learned godly sense while I was hooked up to heart monitors, oxygen and IVs!  You learn fast when you have a medical crisis that could had been avoided if you would have just taken time to take care of yourself.

Thank God!  It could have been more than bronchitis — it could have been something else through neglect of self!

Sorry not sorry I’m thinking about me living my blessed life.  My latter shall be greater than my former and I’m going to live to see it.

Now they will be saying “Apostle were you going with all that stuff?”  Making sure I’m covered…!

 

~ Apostle Barbara R. Thomas

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Apostle Barbara R. Thomas is founder of I Come to Heal Ministries, A Woman’s touch Ministry, The Next Dimension Global Outreach Ministries and Spoken Word School of Ministry and is on a mission, traveling the world, proclaiming the Gospel, for souls to be won to the Kingdom of God. She has life mandate to help bring others to their divine purpose.

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