Grace in the Waiting at AIIAS: Where Trials Shape Triumph's

For over a decade, I silently battled a relentless storm within—a worsening digestive condition that defied explanation and treatment. What started as mild discomfort gradually escalated into a life-altering struggle, affecting my daily activities, ministry, and personal well-being. Despite being a dedicated vegetarian for 27 years and an advocate of health and wellness, I found myself grappling with a condition that challenged everything I believed about health.

I sought answers from doctors, tried countless natural remedies, and meticulously monitored my diet, yet relief remained elusive. The symptoms, initially mild, grew more severe over time, leading to intense abdominal pain, digestive distress, and a constant sense of unease. The frustration of unanswered questions weighed heavily on me, and as my condition worsened, so did my ability to function effectively in ministry and academics.

Through the darkest moments, my faith was tested like never before. The waiting for healing felt endless, but it became a period of deep spiritual refinement. My time at AIIAS, where I was pursuing further studies, became not just an academic journey but a spiritual one. Surrounded by a supportive community and immersed in prayer, I slowly learned to surrender to God’s plan, even when I could not understand it. The days turned into months, and the months into years, yet I clung to the hope that my healing would come in God’s perfect timing.

As I navigated this prolonged season of suffering, small glimmers of hope began to emerge. Through divine providence, I found medical professionals who finally offered insights into my condition. Treatment, coupled with faith, started to bring gradual improvement. Healing was not immediate, but through persistence and God’s grace, I began to see progress. Each small step forward was a reminder that God had never abandoned me, even when the journey seemed unbearably long.

This journey reinforced the powerful lesson that grace is often found in the waiting. While the physical healing was slow, the spiritual and emotional growth during this time was profound. I learned patience, dependence on God, and the importance of trusting in His perfect timing. The trials that once seemed insurmountable became the very experiences that shaped my faith and strengthened my testimony. What once felt like an endless struggle turned into a remarkable testimony of resilience, hope, and unwavering faith in the face of adversity.

Today, as I reflect on this chapter of my life, I see it not just as a battle with sickness but as a journey of faith, healing, and purpose. My experience has deepened my compassion for those who suffer and strengthened my resolve to serve others through health advocacy and ministry. Indeed, AIIAS was not just a place of learning—it was a refining ground where trials shaped my triumphs, and grace carried me through the waiting. I stand here today, not as someone who merely survived the storm but as one who has been transformed by it.

As Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." And in 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Lord declares, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." These verses echo the truth I have lived—through trials, His strength sustained me, and through waiting, His grace refined me.