We’re all familiar with the cell phone commercial, where the man is speaking in to his phone, trying to get a connection or signal that will enable him to hear the person on the other end of the line. We’re often like that with God; praying and wondering, if he hears us; wondering if the connection we’re trying to make is getting through. Thinking, that if perhaps, we speak a little louder, (as if God were deaf), or a little bit longer (like he’s impressed by the length of our prayers), he might just hear us now.
I’ve been suffering with severe tinnitus in my left ear for almost a week now. So, you can see, why hearing is on my mind. I have a very loud and constant whooshing noise in my left ear that resonates with every beating of my pulse. Add to that vertigo and gait imbalance, and, you can see, I’m a bit of a mess. I already have markable hearing deficit and wear hearing aides in both ears. But, the pounding in my left ear is so bad right now, that the hearing aid is virtually useless; which leaves me with the already compromised hearing in my right ear to do all the work. Oy! I’m on a course of steroids and antibiotics that so far have not produced any improvement. But, that is only partially what today’s blog is about.
Hearing. Jesus, had a lot to say about hearing didn’t he? When, it comes to spiritual things it seems, we can have two good ears and still not hear a thing. In Matthew 13:15, it says this”
“For this people’s heart have become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and, turn and I would heal them.”
I think this says a lot for the state, we find ourselves in today. For all our modern technology, (cell phones and i-phones/pads in just about every hand), we still cannot see or hear. And, why is that? Well, according to the verse above, we are hearing and vision impaired (spiritually speaking) because our hearts are calloused. And, a calloused heart, is a hardened heart. Hearts that have become hardened to the things of God. This is why, in spite, of everything that is happening today, few are able to see or understand. Their eyes are blurred and their hearing is dull due to the hardness of their hearts. A condition that cannot be remedied without the work of the Holy Spirit to break up that fallow ground.
It’s interesting, I had not spoken to my daughters all weekend, not wanting to worry them unnecessarily, as I went to the ER yesterday for the severe tinnitus and vertigo. This morning, my oldest called (Seven Stars) and I informed her of what had been happening. And, she told me about an unusual incident from this morning, which, I believe fits with this topic of discussion. She said, she had been listening to Pastor David Jeremiah preach and as he was preaching, she, was moved to sincerely pray for Jesus to give her the eyes to see things as he sees things. In other words, his compassion, his love, his mercy, to see others as he sees them . An hour or so later, she was watching another Pastor preach (I’ll have to ask her again the name), when, in a sudden flash, she saw an angel standing at the right hand side of the Pastor in the pulpit. A little larger than the Pastor, he had flowing white robes and wings. Light in color and glowing. Startled, she put the program on re-wind, but, the image did not appear again.
I find it interesting that this incident followed, her sincere prayer to see things as Jesus does … an encouragement to me and others, that he (Jesus) and his ministering angels are always in our midst. Something, we often doubt, when our hearts become hardened by trial and circumstance.
Her prayer an answer to mine ….. that in spite of my affliction, God does hear my prayer. What he wants from me (as, he does all of us) is a broken and contrite heart towards his will. Only then, will I be able to hear, what he is saying.
I have had a lot on my mind lately regarding the direction my life should take at this juncture in time. Considering, whether or not it is time to leave the island and return to the mainland. I have petitioned God many times with this question – and, somehow now, believe, in the course of this affliction, that it is there, that I will find his answer. Believing as it says in Psalm 51:
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” Psalm 51:17
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper, who love thee” Psalm 122:6
Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy
Heaven Bound 
Cindy, your words about the hardened heart are so true. (We certainly also know that GOD looks at the heart while man looks at the outward appearance.) Sometimes I have trouble getting GOD’s word from my head to my heart, as in, I think that vessel is clogged. It’s with my crushed and broken heart that is laid bare before The Lord that I start getting my prayers answered.
I will be praying for your healing. GOD is our Great Physician. A few times a week I pray for you, your family & your wonderful blog ministry. GOD bless you and I hope and pray you are well soon. I also will pray for GOD’s direction for the next part of your life’s journey.
Rita Diane
[Thanks so much Diane! Your prayers and encouragement appreciated more than you know. I’m hoping to see and understand the larger picture, when God allows affliction to come in to our lives. It’s never without purpose. This I am sure! I’ll keep you posted, and please, if there is anything I can pray for you about, please, let me know. Many blessings in Jesus name! C]
By: Rita Diane on April 22, 2013
at 12:22 am
I’lm so with you Cindy. I will pray for you. I, too, am facing hard decisions…whether or not to have a scheduled DBS stimulaton surgery for my PD and I know I need God’s wisdom according to James 1:2-6. May God’s abundant wisdom be poured out on you.
[Thankyou Kim, you’ll be in my prayers too! C]
By: Kim on April 22, 2013
at 2:24 pm
I will be continuing in prayer for you Cindy. ….. Steve Hollander
[Thank you Steve, I very much appreciate it! C]
By: stevehollander on April 22, 2013
at 2:31 pm
Your posts always speak to me Cindy, and I thank you, for continuing to touch us all with your thoughts and matters of concern.
Prayer has been the greatest mystery to me in my Christian walk. In the beginning I didn’t pray because, I didn’t know how, and I was certain God heard others prayers, but He surely wouldn’t be interested in mine. After a while I found that when I prayed, my prayers seemed to go unanswered. The silence only confirmed what I felt, that God wasn’t interested in me or my prayers.
I am so thankful I did not give up, and return to my unsaved condition. I learned that not having most of what I thought I wanted or needed, kept me focused on seeking Him. If I had been given everything I wanted, I might have become content, and my desire to stay here, in this world, would have been more comfortable, and harder to leave. I have come to believe God does hear my prayers and just how important prayer is, in our journey to His kingdom. Notice I didn’t say His presence, because I have come to believe and experience, that when we pray, we are in His presence!
God bless you, heal you, and give you peace in your decision on where you need to remain, until He comes to take us home!
Tamra
[Thanks Tamra for your beautiful comment. Your insight a blessing and encouragement to me right now. I’m hanging in there, no hearing in my left ear at all right now, medication helping with the vertigo ….. am on official leave from work until May 16 by which time, I should know if this problem is going to be permanent or not. Or perhaps some of my hearing may be restored, at this point, no one really knows. The process of which, I firmly believe God is using in directing the course of my life right now. And, for that I am grateful. Thank you for your prayers, keeping you in mine; much love in Yeshua, our soon coming King! C
By: Tamra on April 23, 2013
at 12:52 pm
You might investigate the possibility of food allergies in particular wheat that can cause problems with the ear as well as the possibility of this being exasperated by drug treatments.
http://www.gaps.me/
[Hi Jeff, Thanks so much for writing. I appreciate your information and will keep it in mind. I was diagnosed this past week with Menniers Disease and am being treated with increased amounts of steroids to see if they can’thelp in resoring my hearing. I have zero hearing in my left ear right now and I already suffer hearing loss in my Rt (though not nearly as severe). Suffering from gait imbalance (stagger, when I walk from loss of balance) – can’t begin to think of driving my car, while I feel so unsteady. On leave of absence from work. Other than that am doing well. The Lord is in control and I feel he is directing my path right now via the circumstances. Thanks so much for your inquiries and your prayers. Many blessings in Yeshua, our soon coming King! C]
By: jeff on April 27, 2013
at 9:14 am