I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in April 2021 after having consistent joint pain in my arms and fingers for several months. According to the rheumatologist, it is probably in my DNA for a long time, which is inherited from my father who had SLE too. I was scared in the beginning, worrying it could get worse after knowing that SLE might even damage the kidney. Unfortunately, the rheumatologist said that there is no cure for SLE except to control the symptoms. Since there is no cure except the steroid, I decided not to take any medication but to rely on Jesus.

I felt very sad when I had joint pain in my finger because it was hard to play the piano. But I insist on continuing to play the piano in worshipping the Lord. I could only play simpler and slower worship songs, yet I continued to record it and shared it on my YouTube channel, to encourage myself and someone. I was also very down when I couldn’t lift my arms to worship with the flags. Nobody could help me. Nobody could take care of me. All I needed to do was to pray. Every morning and every night, I laid hand to my head, my arm, my fingers and prayed with Isaiah 53:5, “But Jesus was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

After many brokenness and losses in my life, I have not much left except the talents that He has given to me. I remember how I gave my life to Jesus after my son passed away in 2014. Therefore, I prayed with Acts 20:24, “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” I am always very committed to serving the Lord wherever He calls me. Gradually, I have lesser joint pain in my fingers and arms. I was very glad that I could continue to worship with piano and flag.

However, the Anti-nuclear Antibody (ANA) index, which indicates the severity of the autoimmune disease, shot very high to 2560 in August 2022. A normal index should be less than 80. Yet, I continue to pray and trust God even without seeing the rheumatologist or taking any medication. The joint pain in my fingers returned at the end of 2022 till the beginning of 2023. However, I do not remember when it disappeared! I had no pain for several months! Recently, I have played many challenging and fast piano pieces without feeling anything.

My annual blood test in September 2023 showed that my ANA index dropped by half to 1280! Wow! Jesus is my Healer, He is Jehovah Rapha! Hallelujah!

Do not worry about the medical report. There is a God whose name is Jesus who can heal all diseases as long as we keep on praying without giving up and dedicate our lives to serving Him and the people around us.