“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” Romans 8:18 NLT
I would like to share an inspiring real-life story that even came as a movie to encourage people to believe and to hope.
A young couple in a small village in India was losing their babies on the third day after delivery. She lost three or five babies that way. Later she was admitted in a Christian hospital to deliver her sixth child. A baby boy was born on March 19, 1947.
The baby was struggling to survive, and on the third day she went to the bishop in the chapel and poured out her grief and anguish. The bishop prayed, named him Yesanna, and prophesied that he would become a great man of God.
When the boy was 10 years old, he was tormented by demonic spirits and wandered the streets without a right mind. He was terminated from school because of his unstable mind. He wandered around, roaming as a mad man, vomiting blood, sleeping on footpaths and railway platforms, living a miserable life. At times, he even ate from the garbage.
On February 15, 1964, this young boy was wandering the streets as usual and was led to a Christian cottage meeting happening outside a house. The worship songs and praises caught his attention, and he went and sat inside.
After the meeting was over, around 11 p.m., a bright light shone on him. As he turned, he saw the face of the Lord Jesus Christ in dazzling light, and he was healed immediately. That same night, after seven years, he went back to his home with a sound mind.
The next day he visited the man of God he had met the previous night. The pastor explained how Jesus healed him, referred him to the Bible, and handed him one. From that time, the young man gave his life to Jesus, began reading the Bible continually, fasting and praying regularly.
At the age of 19, he dedicated his life to ministry, and God started to use him mightily. For over 40 years of ministry, God worked through him. He went to be with the Lord at the age of 67.
This brother, Yesanna, is the founder of Hosanna Ministries, which transformed many lives. Without television or social media, he would gather more than two million people every year and feed them as well. He transformed the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India by his powerful testimony, miraculous healings, and many witnesses during his ministry. I hope his ministry continues to carry his legacy.
This minister of God is an example to encourage us that God is still in the life transformation business today.
In the Bible, it talks about a woman named Rahab who lived in the city of Jericho. She was a prostitute, placed on the social margins of society. Despite being a Canaanite woman in her own land, Rahab demonstrated strong faith and extraordinary courage. She saved the spies from Israel, hid them from the soldiers who came to kill them, and helped them escape from the city.
Before they left, she begged them to show mercy to her father, mother, brothers, and sisters and spare their lives when Joshua’s army came back to take over the city. The spies kept their promise, and when Jericho was destroyed, Rahab and her family alone were spared.
This woman was not only spared from death, but she also received redemption. A name people would be ashamed to call was written into the genealogy of the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1). God could have easily bypassed this “unclean” woman, but His redemption shows us that He does not look at social status, family dignity, or how bad the situation is. He only sees faith.
Redemption found its way into this humble woman’s house because of the love she had for Yahweh. Every time we read about the birth of Jesus, we are reminded of Rahab. After 29 generations, God changed her story from being called a harlot to being remembered in the lineage of the Redeemer.
In the same way, God can rewrite your story. Just as He changed Brother Yesanna from a “mad man” into a minister of God, He is ready to rewrite your story as well.
What is your story? Give it to Jesus as it is. He will rewrite the script, change the direction, and the climax will be a glorious one.
As the Scripture reminds us, your present suffering is nothing compared to the glory you will see soon. Give it to Him—the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, for the gift of redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ. Today, in faith, I give my story to You. May my story declare Your goodness, and may Your glory be revealed through me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
More about Brother Yesanna’s ministry:
4mthesoul 