“Be not afraid of them [their faces], for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.”
Jeremiah 1:8 AMPC
People-pleasing is a real enemy. It kills identity. Those who walk in it often overthink, over-apologize, over-explain, and constantly seek approval and validation from others.
This behavior is deeply rooted in fear—fear of people, fear of their opinions, fear of conflict, fear of rejection, fear of saying no—and it ultimately places more value on the happiness of others than the truth of who God created us to be.
In Jeremiah 1:8, the Lord calls Jeremiah to speak His message to Israel. God encourages him not to fear people because Jeremiah was chosen to be God’s mouthpiece.
Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet because his writings reveal deep sorrow and anguish, reflecting his meek spirit.
Yet God strengthened him—reminding him not to grow weary or shrink back, because fear can distract, manipulate, and derail purpose.
Paul, on the other hand, was bold and confident in his calling. He was dealing with people infiltrated by false teaching and distorted doctrine.
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?
Or am I trying to please man?
If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10 ESV
Paul stood firm in the truth and corrected anyone who twisted the gospel. While doing God’s work, some tried to discredit his past—reminding others of how he once persecuted Christians. They attempted to manipulate minds and discredit the message he carried, but Paul refused to be shaken. He even declared that if even an angel preached another gospel, they should be cursed.
Paul was not moved by human opinions. His confidence was rooted in truth—not in pleasing people.
Scripture is clear: if we live to please man, we cannot be servants of Christ.
The Word of God calls us to rise in boldness and walk in obedience to what Jesus expects—not what people demand. We are called to live, love, and serve God’s way—not the world’s way.
Jesus was compassionate, but He never compromised.
Jesus was kind, yet He never allowed others to take advantage of Him.
Jesus humbled Himself to wash feet, yet He boldly rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind me, Satan,” when his words opposed the will of God.
Jesus loved humanity enough to die for them, yet He overturned tables when His Father’s house was corrupted.
Do not allow anyone to manipulate or deceive you into choosing worldly approval over godly obedience. God’s commandment is clear: love God first, then your neighbor. It is not reversed.
So the question remains—will you live as a slave to people’s expectations, or as a servant of God?
May the Holy Spirit give you boldness to break free from people-pleasing and live to please God alone.
Prayer
Lord, strengthen my heart to choose Your approval over the approval of people. Remove every fear, insecurity, and pressure that keeps me bound. Fill me with boldness, confidence, and wisdom to walk in truth. Help me honor You in my words, decisions, and actions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace to you!’”
Luke 24:36 (ESV)
What is wrong with these people? Why do they speak about their God all the time? Why can’t they stop preaching the gospel even when they know they are marked, hunted, killed, and beheaded for it?
If they remained silent, perhaps they could have saved their lives.
These are the thoughts that run through many minds. Yet once a person encounters Jesus, those same questions disappear. Instead, they find themselves thankful someone told them about Him—because the peace He gives is beyond what the human mind can understand.
The peace of God is the greatest gift He can pour into a soul. The first message Jesus spoke after His resurrection was, “Peace be with you.” This reveals the heart of God—that through His death and resurrection, Jesus came to give us everlasting peace.
Jesus called His disciples while they were minding their own business. They responded, left everything behind, and followed Him. They walked with Him, ate with Him, and learned from Him. Men with no earthly education came to know heavenly mysteries. They witnessed miracles with their own eyes—sins forgiven, demons fleeing, storms obeying, the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the lame walking, and the dead rising. Multitudes were fed, the hopeless restored, and faith strengthened day by day.
Yet when Jesus spoke of His suffering and death, and when it finally happened, their hearts broke. Their hope felt shattered. The One who gathered them vanished from their sight. Grief, confusion, and fear overwhelmed them. Losing someone and trying to live with only memories takes the grace of God.
Then—right in the middle of their fear, sorrow, and uncertainty—Jesus appeared among them and spoke one simple but powerful promise:
“Peace to you.”
His presence restored courage. His peace settled their trembling hearts. Filled with the Holy Spirit, those once fearful disciples performed even greater works. They were beaten, stripped, mocked, imprisoned, and persecuted, yet nothing stopped them. Why?
Because the peace of Christ held them steady.
This peace is not logical. It does not make sense to the natural mind. It is supernatural. It guards the heart. It sustains the soul. The same Jesus who visited His disciples stands among us today, offering peace to all who listen and believe.
Those who truly receive it cannot keep the good news to themselves. This peace walks with you through the valley of the shadow of death. It sustains you in sickness. It lifts you from grief. It brings joy in chaos and rest in the storm.
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8 (ESV)
David wrote this during a time of great distress, while fleeing from the rebellion of his own son Absalom. It is called a Psalm of peace—proof that even in hardship, God offers peace, rest and security.
Everyone who encounters Jesus can testify to this peace. That is why believers continue to share the good news—so others may receive this free gift.
Today, this same gentle, powerful, living Jesus is offered to you.
May the grace of God open your eyes and heart to receive His peace.
Invite Jesus Christ in, and experience a peace no one can steal from you.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for the peace that only You can give. Silence every storm in my heart and mind. Help me surrender fully to You and rest in Your presence. Fill me with Your Spirit and let Your peace guard my thoughts, my steps, and my future. In Your holy name, Amen.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
— Romans 12:2 (ESV)
More often than not, pity is misunderstood as compassion. Pity is just being sorry for someone’s misfortune without desiring to help. But compassion is a heart that moves to help someone in their misfortune — to comfort them and stand with them.
Self-pity is when a person feels sorry for themselves, focusing only on their sorrows and misfortunes and dwelling on them. Self-pity does more harm than any external situation around us.
The Bible talks about the dangers of being confined to worldly thoughts and patterns. It’s like taking ownership of every situation, whether it concerns you or not. It’s desiring to stay in the spotlight — whether for a good or bad reason.
Prophet Elijah, a powerful man who brought the Word of God to the people — highly respected and honored. In one memorable event, he called upon the name of the Lord on Mount Carmel, and God answered him with fire before all the people. That day, Elijah destroyed many false prophets, and the fear of God fell upon everyone.
It was a historic moment still remembered today. But soon after, this same brave man of God had a moment of weakness when Jezebel threatened to kill him. The zealous prophet who had just displayed God’s mighty power ran for his life and even left his servant behind. He prayed that God would take his life and said he was done.
Just days before, Elijah had shown great bravery and faith with his focus fixed on the Almighty. But now, his focus shifted inward. He became self-centered, and that almost ended his ministry — all because a woman’s threat frightened him.
Self-pity is a silent killer. If not addressed, It affects our mental health and steals our peace and joy when we refuse to walk away from it.
Remember — you are created for greatness and in you is greatness. If the world projects you as something less, refocus from what the world says to what the Bible says. The Word teaches us not to be conformed to the world’s patterns but to be transformed through the renewal of our minds.
It takes humility to move the spotlight away from yourself and place it back on the Word of God. You are not the hero of every scene — Jesus is.
Not every challenge around you is meant to break you. Not everyone is trying to pull you down or hurt you. We are created to coexist with others. When we constantly seek attention — whether good or bad — we begin to place ourselves equal with God.
Humble yourself before the Lord and surrender, saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
The truth is, you are not in a sorry state as you are projecting outside. You are more than a conqueror. You are brave, blessed, and above all, a child of the Most High God.
Transfer the power you’re holding over situations, thoughts, and people to your loving Father, Yahweh. You can rest peacefully when you understand who controls your future.
If you face misfortune, give thanks and surrender it to God. If you face hardship, thank Him again and surrender it. If you face betrayal, bring it to Him and let Him heal you.
Do not dwell on your past, and do not stay stuck in your present. Be expectant of the new thing God is about to do, and let Him renew your mind every day.
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for reminding me that I am not defined by the world or my feelings. Teach me to lay down self-pity and to walk in compassion and humility. Help me to fix my eyes on You and not on myself. Renew my mind and fill my heart with peace as I trust in Your perfect plan. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.”
Joshua 1:5 ESV
Joshua grew up witnessing the hand of God over His people. From a young age, he was actively involved in helping Moses on the mission to lead the Israelites into the promised land.
Now that Moses was dead, Joshua was commanded to step up and take his place. Moses was known as a mighty man of wisdom, but now the mantle was falling on Joshua. Naturally, he might have been frightened or discouraged after the death of his mentor and leader. God spoke to Joshua multiple times, giving him courage and strength.
So many thoughts must have crossed Joshua’s mind as he considered taking Moses’ role. These were not easy people to lead. They were tough, often dissatisfied, ungrateful, and complaining. Managing them was a great task. Helping from behind the scenes was one thing, but being at the front lines brought a whole new level of stress.
The loss of a well-wisher and father figure may have left Joshua feeling emotionally weak. He had spent more time with Moses than with his own father. The absence of Moses’ voice, the lack of his gentle encouragement, must have weighed heavily on him.
But in that moment of grief, God stepped in to comfort and encourage Joshua: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid… for I will be with you wherever you go.” With that assurance, Joshua rose to the mission of leading God’s people.
What a great assurance from a great God! And this promise extends to you as well. You and Joshua are equal in God’s sight. He understands your season—whether joy, loss, grief, or transition.
You may be strong and capable, yet life may bring moments that drain your strength. You may have handled great responsibilities before, but now you may feel weighed down by insecurities, trauma, or the absence of encouragement you once relied on. Maybe you miss the voice or the embrace of someone who gave you strength.
But do not be discouraged. The Spirit of God is your greatest Comforter, and the Word of God reminds you of His promises: No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life, and the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go, and He will never leave you not forsake you.
The responsibilities you carry—the family you provide for, the business you manage, the project you are called to lead—will only draw out the best in you.
God told Joshua to take courage, to meditate on His Word day and night, and not to turn to the right or the left. When he obeyed, God promised him good success. The same instruction applies to us today for a successful life.
Joshua’s full potential was not revealed until he faced such a situation. In the same way, your disappointments, losses, and failures are shaping you to bring out your fullest potential.
Do not forget—no one will stand against you all the days of your life. In Christ, you are more than a conqueror.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for reminding me that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Remove every fear, every insecurity, and every doubt. I believe that in every battle I face, You are with me, and You will give me victory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In today’s passage, we see that some are celebrating while others are walking through seasons of suffering and darkness. At Bethesda, these two realities existed side by side. It was a place where the invalid, blind, lame, and paralyzed gathered—people longing for attention and help, waiting for someone to carry them into the pool where they believed healing and deliverance could be found.
Here, the paralytic man’s perspective was shaped by the people around him. The place had become an attraction for hopelessness. This man may have been forced to stay away from celebrations due to social stigma or abandoned because of financial hardship. His world had taught him to look to man for help, and he had grown comfortable lying in the same place, with the same people, hearing the same stories, and expecting the same help.
I’m sure news of celebration and of Jesus’ presence had reached that place, but perhaps the paralytic man was too occupied with hearing bad news. And thirty-eight years is a long time to go without hearing the good news.
While the paralytic man was searching for a man, the eyes of Jesus fell on him. The Bible says Jesus knew he had been there a long time. Even when Jesus asked if he wanted to be healed, the man’s response focused on his lack of human help.
But Jesus stepped into the situation so the paralytic man could step out—out of the dark world he had been bound in for far too long.
“Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” – John 5:8
Today’s word comes as encouragement: Jesus sees us in our seasons of discouragement and repeated disappointments. When the Savior’s eyes fall on us, the bondage that has held us for too long will be broken. We can no longer remain in the comfort zone; we must be ready to step out into His glorious light.
Even today, Jesus sees you. Seek His face through prayer and worship, believing for a great move of God in your life.
You heard that right—get up and move. Your time has come, and your Savior is here.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father help me to get up from my comfort zone and experience a mighty deliverance. Amen
It was the night of my breakthrough. I went into a dark room, shut the door, and wished to disappear into the shadows. I could hear one of my siblings weeping loudly—breaking religious pictures, throwing away spiritual objects, fighting with God, questioning Him, accusing Him of being distant, of not hearing our cries.
I had already exhausted every tear. I lay still, listening to all the chaos. Strangely, I didn’t feel anger toward God. I don’t know why—but even when I briefly closed my eyes, I could sense a powerful presence coming upon me. I tried to get up and resist the heaviness. I tried to speak, to call for help—but no one could hear me. It wasn’t frightening; it was comforting. I stopped resisting.
And then—I saw a vision.
A mighty, marvelous hand descended from the sky. It picked up a black pen crowned in gold, along with a piece of paper. The hand began to write. In the vision, I asked, “What are You writing?” A voice replied, “I’m writing your blessings.” The hand then picked up a book—what I believed to be my Bible—and underlined something. I didn’t know what it was at the time, but the Lord revealed it to me in the days to come.
After hearing the voice, an unexplainable peace filled me. I was caught between vision and reality. I could still hear my family weeping in the living room, but my spirit had touched something divine. I stood at the entrance of the bedroom, confused. My family looked at me, alarmed, thinking I was mentally disturbed. But they couldn’t understand—I had just experienced something supernatural. I didn’t say a word. I feared they would think I had lost my mind. I quietly returned to bed and rested.
But not for long.
Around 3 AM on July 3rd, we received an emergency call from the hospital. My husband’s condition had worsened. The doctors said his brain was dead. They wanted to inform the family that he could pass at any moment. I rushed back to the hospital.
I stood in the lobby, lost in thoughts of what I had just experienced. Was it real? Or was it a dream?
As the doctors prepared to declare him dead, I refused to see him. I couldn’t. I hated my life in that moment. I felt like a failure. Ashamed. I shut my eyes—I didn’t want to see anyone. His parents were ushered in to see him one last time. My mother-in-law, weeping, held my hand and said, “I gave birth to an unlucky son.” She begged for forgiveness—for leaving me and my daughter behind in this unbearable pain.
But I had turned to stone. I didn’t open my eyes. I didn’t speak. Many came and went. I heard voices but couldn’t respond. This went on until around 11 AM.
Then, a man of God entered. I had never met him before. He gently tried to speak with me, but I stayed silent, eyes still closed. He offered a prayer. Then he asked softly, “You don’t have to talk. But can you come with me for a coffee?”
Surprisingly, I opened my eyes. I followed him to the cafeteria. He handed me a coffee and prayed over me again—a short prayer. I don’t even remember the words. But something happened. I felt a wind-like presence sweep over me. My mouth began uttering unfamiliar words, a language I couldn’t understand. It wasn’t me—I was praying or speaking in tongues. It was supernatural.
I rushed to a nearby bathroom and began vomiting. The presence hadn’t left. I felt a weight being lifted. My lips continued to move in that unknown language. I hesitated to come out. While in the bathroom, I started bleeding heavily—my period had started unexpectedly. Everything was happening at once.
I asked the man of God to send one of my family members to help. They took me to a nearby relative’s home to shower and change. My mother-in-law hugged me tightly, relieved to see me looking normal again. I came back to the hospital with a quiet boldness inside me.
I went to the lobby to collect my ID and entered the critical care unit. Only two visitors were allowed at a time. My husband’s pulse had been just 10 earlier that morning—but now it was over 80. A nurse was by his side, documenting vitals.
I spoke to him. His eyeballs moved beneath his eyelids. His hands and legs twitched. I called the nurse’s attention, but she looked at me blankly—he was “brain dead” in her eyes. Still, she noted the vitals again.
To me, those little movements were miracles. My hope shot up like a mountain.
I brought my sister back with me. As we stood beside him, I began to hear a loud cry—as though someone were being attacked. I stepped back to see if another patient was making noise, but this floor was for the brain-injured. Most were unconscious. The halls were empty. But the cries didn’t stop.
My husband didn’t move, but the atmosphere had shifted. It felt like a battlefield—and the battle felt like it was in my favor.
Later, I asked my sister if she’d heard any of it. She hadn’t. I didn’t explain. I was slowly realizing that these were supernatural experiences.
We sat by the window. I prayed: “Lord, I don’t understand what’s happening. I don’t know why I’m going through this. Please give me grace to face what’s ahead—for me and my daughter. I surrender us into Your hands.” And I thanked Him for all the turmoil I was going through.
I still hoped for a miracle. But no change came.
He remained on life support for six days. I began visiting churches and praying endlessly. On the fifth day, someone suggested, “Why don’t we pray for God’s will instead?”
I hesitated. What if God’s will was to take him away?
Meanwhile, his parents pleaded with me for consent to remove life support. The doctors had confirmed he would remain in a vegetative state. They couldn’t bear to see him like that. I argued—I said I’d take care of him, no matter what. I couldn’t bear the thought of denying someone their life.
But their pain crushed me. I couldn’t take it anymore. I ran out of the hospital, all the way to the main road, and cried out, “Lord, let Your will be done.”
The next morning, I heard a still voice inside me say, “This is the day. Be prepared.”
I was sitting in a new church I’d never been to before. The calm was unusual. They prayed for me, fed me. While eating, I received a call—the dean of the hospital wanted to meet. My husband had suffered two massive heart attacks the night before. He had been treated, but chances of survival were slim.
I knew in my spirit—this was it.
I stood up from my half-eaten meal. As I left, my eyes caught a scripture on the wall: Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God.” It struck my heart deeply.
At the dean’s office, he gently explained the situation. He told me I was young and had a life to live. I replied, “I will take care of him—even if he’s in a vegetative state.”
He wasn’t pleased. As we spoke, the phone rang. It was the nurse—my husband had suffered another massive heart attack. The doctor asked me, “What should we do?”
I said, “Do CPR. Keep him breathing.”
Reluctantly, he passed on the instruction.
My mother and I rushed to his room. But the medical team had already begun CPR. His pulse dropped rapidly—and my hope vanished before my eyes.
Tears flooded. I whispered in his ear, “I love you.” And I told myself, Until we meet at the other end. I remembered how he once promised to be with me until the end of life’s journey. For the first time, he broke that promise.
On July 9, 2013, his spirit left him. It was a devastating moment.
I walked out to find family, friends, and colleagues—all in tears. My daughter ran around the hospital, playful and unaware. It was heartbreaking.
Yet, despite everything, the peace I had never left me. I wanted to scream, to wail—but I couldn’t. The sorrow didn’t sink in as I expected.
The next hours are a blur. All I remember is his lifeless body in a van, traveling for nine hours to his native home. That night was unforgettable—a mix of tears, prayers, and strange comfort. I felt the love of Jesus poured over me like water—pure, deep, and beyond human understanding.
When we arrived, the weeping intensified. One of his closest friends, who had a wedding on July 10th, hadn’t been told the news. When he found out, he came running. The last cries shook the atmosphere.
It was painful to accept the fact that I’m not going to see him anymore.
That goodbye was the hardest.
But I thank God—for allowing me to know and love this man. I learned humility, simplicity, genuine love, respect and grace from him. He was well-mannered, brilliant, and kind. The world was too cruel for someone like him. Heaven deserved him more.
The Next Chapter
What followed was surreal and miraculous. I had dreams, visions, and supernatural encounters. It was as though God had ordained and prepared every detail. Strangers showed up to help. Doors opened. Blessings poured out.
Psalm 46:10 became my anchor: “Be still and know that I am God.” I wasn’t wise enough to plan or sort any of this by the way it was planned and sorted. But God made a way.
Eventually, I returned to the U.S. Miraculously, my job became permanent. Favor followed me from every corner .
Then, God revealed the words that were underlined in my vision:
Romans 8:28 – “All things work together for good to those who love God.”
This wasn’t just a verse. It became my life application .
Twelve years later, I can testify: every high, every valley, every sorrow—all worked for my good. God’s hand guided me. His voice led me. His faithfulness never failed. And this song never left my lips:
“Great is Thy faithfulness!”
“Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!
I am deeply grateful—for the kindness of family, friends, in-laws, pastors, colleagues, and all who prayed for me. A big shout out to two women in my life, my mother and mother in law for the prayers , encouragement and trust they have on me. The relationship with my in laws still going strong by the grace of God and moments we share is a pure joy.
I can surely say life is not easy, but it is not hard when you have God at your side.
And if you’ve read this far, I pray that the same love of God finds you, comforts you, and carries you.
It was the last time my husband was conscious enough to recognize me.
In the blink of a second, everything changed. The doctors in the room were having serious discussions. I wasn’t allowed in. My heart raced as I stood outside, helpless, trying to make sense of the chaos. Then, they moved him to another branch of the hospital.
The diagnosis was devastating—a massive stroke in the brain stem. The doctors were shocked. He was just 34 years old—no smoking, no drinking, a regular at the gym, a healthy adult by every standard. They were furious and confused. I had never once seen him sick. He had never complained of any illness.
To me, everything went blank.
That night, I sat alone in the hospital lobby, numb and disoriented.
The next day, my mom arrived. She had left my three-year-old daughter in someone else’s care to be with me. The moment I saw her, I broke down. I sobbed uncontrollably in her arms. She looked shattered too—seeing the youngest of her five children, the baby of our family, facing such a situation.
She did her best to comfort me, though I knew she was breaking inside.
Still, I was forced to gather myself. I had to be strong enough to take him for ultrasounds and other tests. His eyes never opened. Not once.
Yet again, I had to travel alone with him in an alarming ambulance to another hospital branch. There, the doctors prepared for emergency brain surgery. The clot was putting dangerous pressure on the skull. They had to open it to relieve it. Prayers poured in like clouds from all corners. I held onto hope—any sliver of it—for a miracle after surgery.
But what followed broke me even further.
The doctors wouldn’t give me proper updates. One of them coldly said, “Are you expecting me to say your husband is alright?”
That single sentence crushed my heart. I realized something deeply painful:
My pain was mine alone.
To that doctor, my husband was just another patient.
To me, he was my whole world.
My in-laws and sister-in-law, along with my siblings, flew in from around the world to be with me. Their presence meant the world.
Still, I struggled to face my in-laws. They are some of the kindest souls I have ever met, and this—this was their only son. I could see the sorrow etched into their faces. Yet, with unimaginable grace, they kept their pain aside to give me hope.
They came straight from the airport to the hospital. Being medical professionals themselves, the doctors spoke more openly with them than with emotionally overwhelmed me. But even then, there was no real improvement. Just observation. More waiting. More despair.
I sent everyone back home and chose to stay another night in the hospital—alone.
This time, I wasn’t allowed near the critical care unit. I had to stay in a separate building. I walked through dark hospital pathways, full of fear and uncertainty.
The infrastructure didn’t scare me—the pain did.
Family members clung to each other, crying, praying, whispering desperate hopes for their loved ones. The air itself was heavy with grief.
I don’t remember eating. I barely slept.
And watching others suffer only deepened my ache.
I wished I had a healing wand to make everything better—for them and for myself.
I spent the whole night walking between the hospital and lodging building.
At one point, someone asked me if I had admitted an elderly person.
I couldn’t even form the words to explain what had happened.
Soon, my family arrived again the next morning. My eyes were swollen from days of tears. I waited anxiously for the doctors’ morning rounds. I hoped—pleaded in silence—for good news.
Instead, I was told the other side of his brain had started bleeding.
My hope began to crumble.
Fear.
Anxiety.
They gripped my soul like never before.
My siblings softened their words, trying to cushion the blow. But I understood.
Others in the hospital lodge began asking, “Why are you here alone? What’s going on?”
Slowly, I started to open up. They began to share their pain too. We cried together.
We held on to each other.
We whispered encouragement.
We begged heaven for mercy.
I saw some patients move to normal wards.
Some were discharged.
Something good was happening around me—but not to me.
Not yet.
It became a ritual—I stood before the doctors during every round.
They gave me bad news after bad news.
And afterward, I would sit alone in the lobby, watching everyone walk in.
Everyone who entered that building had a story.
One day, I saw a young woman rush in, crying. Her husband had a brain injury from an accident. She was frantic. Something stirred in me.
I walked over. I listened. I comforted her.
“I believe your husband will be okay,” I told her gently.
She hugged me with tear-filled eyes.
In that moment, I felt something good—for the first time in days.
Even though I knew the doctor would soon come to give me another terrifying update.
In that hospital I saw babies treated for brain cancer.
Young children.
Elderly people.
Some went home.
Some didn’t and was declared dead.
The hospital was a sea of emotions.
I started to sit quietly and listen to my soul.
Why am I going through this?
What is the purpose of this pain?
I had chosen a simple life.
Yet, What lesson was hidden here?
In that silence, something began to speak to me.
A glimpse of my future—who would help me, what I would walk through.
It came like a movie in my mind.
I kept it to myself.
I wasn’t sure if it was divine or just my imagination.
After several days, my family insisted I go home.
My daughter had started to ask for me.
It had been few days—and I hadn’t even thought about her.
When I walked through the door, she ran into my arms.
Her tiny hands wrapped tightly around my neck.
She kissed me endlessly.
Her puzzled face said everything, but she didn’t ask about her daddy.
My husband was placed on deputation to the USA, and we had to return to India for a brief while. People in the IT industry might understand this process better—it’s a common norm for Indian IT consultants. We packed all our belongings, including our newly purchased car, and put everything into storage, anticipating our return after the visit.
The three of us boarded the flight with excitement and anticipation. After two and a half years, we were finally going to see our family and relatives again. While we were in India, we visited familiar places in our hometown and had numerous get-togethers with loved ones. It was joyful, comforting, and filled with laughter. I felt truly blessed.
During that time, we were invited to attend a wedding—an 8-hour road journey away. The night before the travel, I had an unpleasant dream that left me disturbed. As I packed our suitcases, I told my mom that I didn’t feel right about going. She gently suggested I cancel the trip. But I didn’t want to disappoint my husband—he comes from a large, close-knit family and was looking forward to meeting everyone. They were excited to see us, and I didn’t want to let anyone down.
As I continued expressing my unease, a crow suddenly fell from the sky near our side door. It looked injured and was dying. I didn’t know how to help. Soon after, our house helper came rushing to assist. As I watched, I noticed a tree nearby—one that was always lush and fruitful—now completely dried up. It had been green just the day before. Something didn’t feel right deep within me. Despite that, we boarded the sleeper bus and reached my husband’s hometown safely after the overnight journey.
We rested for a day at my in-laws’ house. The next day, we traveled another four hours by car to the wedding venue, bringing my in-laws along. The entire hotel was buzzing with celebration. The rooms were filled with my husband’s relatives—so many happy faces, dressed in silks, adorned with gold jewelry and jasmine flowers. There was laughter, dancing, and endless food.
My husband was filled with joy. It was his cousin’s wedding—someone he had grown up with. Their bond was deep, and the celebration reflected that closeness. Yet, amidst the festivity, I couldn’t find my husband for a few hours. He was busy moving from one place to another. My in-laws were also occupied in conversations, and I found myself alone with our three-year-old daughter during lunch.
As I sat down to eat, an eerie feeling came over me. I felt this strange thought—this is how I’m going to be left soon. My fear grew, but I said nothing.
After the wedding, we returned safely to my in-laws’ home and planned a trip to visit a waterfall. We reached the place late in the evening. The area was dark due to a power outage caused by strong winds and heavy rain.We somehow found the house we had booked, but the property owner advised us to leave since he didn’t have a generator and couldn’t guarantee when the power would return.
The winds were so violent—I called them devil winds. We moved from that location and drove at least another hour through pitch-dark roads. Eventually, we found a small hotel that had one room available. It was barely enough for all of us, especially since we had also brought my nine-year-old nephew.
I was anxious. The darkness, the isolation, and the night itself felt unsettling. In the bedroom my husband placed me, our daughter, and my nephew on the bed and he slept on the floor beside us. My in-laws stayed in a kind of living room outside. The howling of the wind outside was terrifying.
Inside the room, something felt off. My spirit was not at peace. I felt a strange sensation—as if someone was lifting the bed I was lying on. I checked on my husband; he looked at me and asked if everything was okay. I told him what I felt. He reassured me it was nothing and told me to sleep.
But I couldn’t. The presence in the room felt unnatural, unfamiliar—like a stranger among us. I reached for my Bible, said a simple prayer, and placed it under my pillow. Somehow, I managed to sleep.
The next morning, my husband was eager to reach the falls early, before the crowds arrived. It was a calm morning, and everyone looked happy. But deep inside, I felt an unshakable sadness. I looked at my husband—he was laughing, glowing with happiness—but something in me whispered that something was wrong. I dismissed it as my usual overthinking.
That day and night at the falls, the strange unease followed me. I longed to return home. Eventually, we traveled back to my in-laws’ house and then boarded the sleeper bus to my parents’ place.
On the bus, my daughter and me was resting in one sleeper berth, while my husband was in another across from us. I woke up at one point and saw him sitting up, looking out the window. We were nearing my mom’s house. Still, the heaviness in my heart hadn’t left.
We reached safely. But my husband’s face looked different—subtly off. I asked if he was okay, but he just nodded. He took me in the car to drop me at work. The ride was silent. We didn’t speak. The fear in my soul lingered.
He dropped me off, and something in me paused… he looked at me as if to say goodbye for the last time. That was the last time I saw him as his normal self.
I got home from work alone that night. He usually arrived later, so I sent him a text and laid down. As I closed my eyes, I saw the image of a woman crying—it was so vivid and strange. I rebuked the vision in prayer and drifted into a deep sleep.
Unbeknownst to me, my husband had returned from the store, eaten dinner, and sent a late-night message to his sister on social media. I did not even feel the usual kiss on my forehead that he gives me before going to bed.
The next morning, I saw him struggling to get out of bed. At first, I thought he was joking, but he looked helpless—slipping and trying to rise. I screamed. My mother and our helper rushed in. At that moment, he didn’t seem to recognize me. My daughter sat near his head as he gently patted her, but he couldn’t speak. My three-year-old didn’t understand what was happening—she played beside him like it was just another day.
We called for an ambulance. I left my daughter behind with my mom and rode with my husband. Everything felt surreal—like a terrible dream I was desperate to wake up from. Traffic was heavy, and cars wouldn’t make way for the ambulance. My soul was begging for help. My husband was conscious but unaware of his surroundings, unable to recognize me.
We reached the hospital, at the ER, the staff rushed to help him. I stood outside, peering through a small glass pane. Then I saw something that shattered me—he was vomiting blood. Until then, I thought it was something minor. But seeing that… I broke down.
I clutched my Bible, praying silently, lips moving without sound. A hospital attendant asked me to wait outside. I stood there—alone. No friends. No family. No one to hold me.
That moment taught me what it means to be helpless, hopeless, and alone. I remembered the voice that once warned me: “This is how you’ll be left.” I felt like a madwoman, walking aimlessly, unsure if this was reality.
Eventually, my in-laws arrived, followed by relatives and friends. But even in the crowd, I felt utterly alone. I missed my husband’s strong, comforting voice—the voice I had fallen in love with. Everyone had questions, but I had no strength left to answer them.
I spent the night in the hospital, awake and praying, waiting for a miracle. Finally, a nurse called my name and allowed me to see him.
He looked at me and teared up, seeing me cry.
I touched his hand—he held it tightly and placed it on his chest, tears silently rolling down his cheeks.
I told him I loved him, and that he would be fine. I whispered in his ear to pray and ask God for help. As I stood beside him, his vitals began to shift again. Alarms rang, nurses rushed in, and I was once again asked to step outside.