Miraculous Change !

I am  Asmita Patra, and I am married to Chiradeep. Now we are known as CANDLES ‘Burning for the ALMIGHTY’. Here I want to share my testimony. I would love to share how I have received Jesus as my Saviour, because that has brought a great change in my life.

 

I was a jolly kind of person, helpful and very much kind to others. But within my heart I knew that I was not good at all. I was such a girl, who always wanted to be on top. I was very much arrogant. I always wanted to earn money, look after my daddy and my sisters and I wanted enjoy my life to the highest extent. I wanted comfort and ease. I was like a Christian who knew God loves her but never asked forgiveness for her sins. I wanted to love God but never wanted to do His will or His ministry. I thought whatever I am doing is correct. Many proposals came who were in ministerial line but I said, “NO, I would not marry to a person who is on pastoral job.” The reason was that they get very less money and I wanted a luxurious life. I took Baptism in 1999 January 3^rd but I used to live my life as a nominal Christian. But I was an active person in every Christian activity in my church. I won many prizes. I used to take classes of young boys and girls in Sunday school. I have done many cultural programmes in my church. Once, my class got the best class award. But I was a stiff-necked girl. I hurt many through my behaviour and attitude knowingly and unknowingly. Pride was very much there in me. I was a self-sufficient girl.

 

Here I want to tell, that my mother left us when I was 5 yrs old. But God has blessed us (we are 3 sisters) with a good dad, who worked in Police department. Our grand ma and the elder sisters of my dad have brought us up, though my dad was there with three of us to look after. As I didn’t get my mothers love from the very beginning of my childhood, I lacked many things in life.

 

One day my cousin sister took me to a fellowship where she used to go. I was not at all giving attention to the worship and the word of God in the church. I wanted to stay stubborn as I was forced to come to the church. There was no space for my God. But one day came when God changed my life. He gave me conviction of my sins through the Holy Spirit. That day I came to know, how rotten I am. I thought I was so wretched. I could not believe that Christ loved a sinner like me. All these happened in the month of August 2000. A deep understanding of His love came into my heart. I could not stop my heart to worship my Lord for what he had done for me. My relationship with the Lord started. I committed my life to do His will. God blessed me with His Holy Spirit. God made me humble, patient. Every ambition that was mine changed into God’s will. After that God took first position in my life. My behaviour was changed. I had to go through many sufferings, trials and temptations after that, but God had delivered me from everything.

 

I want to share about a period, when I had to go through severe depression, as one of my aunts died. Before I have seen many deaths and problems but I was never frightened that way as I did this time. I faced every situation boldly before. But this time the sudden death of my aunt, who loved me so much, had devastated me mentally. I was shocked to death. I could not sleep for many months. I used to call my dad to sit beside me while sleeping at night. Day after day my depression and anxiety had increased. It seemed as if the time is not moving forward. It was really severe. Many a times I asked my dad not to leave me alone. But one day my dad had to go away far for his work. But he said, “I am going but your heavenly father will always be with you.” I couldn’t imagine how I allowed my dad to go far from me. I was so terrified. That night I had to sleep alone, and that time I remembered, Psalm 121 and prayed like this, “Lord! I am going to sleep, what ever will happen, it is your duty to protect my life; you look after me because you have said you are my protector, who does not slumber.” And I want to tell you all that God really does not slumber. That night He took care of me. He sat beside me. The next morning I got up from my bed and thanked Him. I thought my life would just finish after the trauma. But God had shown his faithfulness and mercy to me. From that day only my spiritual life journey started again. God had restored my life. After that only, I got the best singer award again continuously for the 2^nd time in whole Cuttack district in the year 2001-2002.  So I praise God for giving me such a blessing even though I was not living a very confident life. But Got became my confidence and even now also He is my confidence.

 

After that also I had to face a lot of difficulties, obstruction that disturbed me spiritually, but God helped me in every thing. He always encouraged me through His word and through His spirit who always had guided and showed me the right way. Whenever I fell down He gave me conviction in my heart and gave me strength to forget and confess the past life and move forward in order to fulfill His will in my life.  

     

As I have shared before that I have never wanted to marry a person who is in ministerial line. But just because God had changed my heart and the way of thinking my perspective also changed. I had a dream and I was getting ready for that. I was ready to go for a 5 yrs nursing training. Every thing was ready. I told my dad, if any proposal comes for my younger sisters let them marry, do not wait for me because I will marry after 5 years. I had decided everything in on my own, and thought may be it was God’s plan for me. It was June 2004.  Within 4 to 5 days one proposal came for me; the boy works as an accountant in a mission, his salary was not good, and above all he is a heart patient. It was really very difficult job for me to decide, because a big carrier was waiting for me ahead and here a marriage proposal. How could I let go a career and marry? I prayed to the Lord and to my surprise, God made me to decide in marriage’s favour. I submitted my life under His will. We got married in Dec. 2004.

 

After my marriage, every thing was going smoothly, I have submitted, our new family, his illness, what I will do and everything else.  After 3 months of our marriage, my husband got sick seriously. Day by day he deteriorated. He was hospitalized but till that time my patience was not shaken, I thought he will be ok after few days but the day when his doctor brother asked us (me and my mother in law) to come to the hospital, I couldn’t explain that, what was going on inside my mind. There were many questions popped up within my heart. I told my God that, “you have arranged our marriage but doctors have already said that there is no hope; only if you wish any dramatical event will take place otherwise nothing is in our hands.” I was so scared to see his face. He had coughed blood many times. If he would bleed one more time then he will surely collapse. I was literally shivering with the thought of uncertainty. Tears were rolling down from my eyes. My mother in law was standing in a numb state. But I think to face the situation like this God had prepared me before during the period of severe depression and anxiety after my aunt’s death. First I cried a lot. But later God enabled me to face that situation.

 

It was on 23^rd of March 2005. Doctors sent him to Bangalore where he was operated before, but doctors were given up their hopes. He had to flew with his doctor brother and a Pastor in aeroplane I remembered when once he was telling me that he is so scared that he never dared to sit in a hanging wheel, and that time he was normal. Nobody knew but a question frequently disturbing me, ‘how he will sit in aeroplane?’ ‘If he bleeds one more time what will happen?’ But I wanted to say that our God whom we are serving is a living God who hears our prayer and can do miracles, beyond our thinking. Really God was so gracious that He healed my husband. Bleeding was stopped. He never vomited inside the plane. My mother-in-law and me, we both reached in Bangalore after two days. I was so happy to see my husband. Gradually he was recovering from his sickness and he had vomited only once in Bangalore in the hospital but that was very less. Later he was discharged from the hospital and we came back to Cuttack. God restored our marriage. Afterwards when we came back to Kolkata, his doctor who has given up his hope was surprised to see my husband completely healed.

 

I can only praise God for his marvelous work in our lives. He helped both of us to come out victoriously from that situation and I believe that He will give many more victories in future.

The Years of Blessings !!!

Cuttack is a small town of Orissa, India, where I was born on 9^th October 1975, in a Christian family. I was the first child of my parents. Everybody was happy because of my presence in their midst. I was winking at them in scare and must be feeling blank seeing them all around me clapping, smiling, giggling and trying to divert my attention to them. Everybody was happy but was unaware of the kind of life ahead of me.

Friends! I want to share with you few years, events and experiences of that life here in this page.

Year 1977:  Once when I was taken to a doctor for loose motion he informed my parents and relatives, that I have congenital heart problem. He referred to a Medical / Hospital specialized for cardiac problems. 17^th August, was the date my heart surgery. I was successfully operated. But there were so many restrictions at that time which really ruined my childhood. Because I was restricted to run, to play, to climb, to lift weights, and so on. I had to face stringent food habits. The most difficult part was when other children were playing I used just sit and watch. But the creator was always with me.

Year 1983:  I was staying with my parents where my dad was working. He was working as a draughts man in factory. There was a cement factory also; everybody knows what happens to the place where there is a cement factory. Every time you will find dust all around you on every object in your sight. That surrounding, that atmosphere did not suit me. One fine morning when I got up from the bed I started vomiting blood. Later I was diagnosed Tuberculosis. I was taken back to Cuttack to my maternal grand pa’s house. There I was treated and was healed by the care of my parents, aunt, grand ma and my wonderful grand dad. And above all of course God’s grace was there. I restrictions were doubled. I didn’t go back with my parents but had to stay back in my grand dad’s home for next 15 years with loads of restrictions.

In 1985 I was admitted in a school straight into 4^th standard, because I was not allowed to go to the school by the doctor. All credit goes to my God and my aunt (mom’s elder sister). As she was working in the same school, she took my responsibility to look after me in the school. There in the school also I just had to sit on a bench or stand in a corner and had to watch my friends playing Cricket and Football etc. But by the grace of God in studies I was good and did well in my exams and was loved by my teachers and friends.

I want to tell you something very proudly that I was brought up in a very spiritual and Christian atmosphere and ultimately I accepted Lord Jesus Christ as my personal saviour in 1989.

I finished my tenth. Then again the problem arose when I was about take admission in a college. There in college my aunt won’t be present to look after. I crossed that hurdle also. And finished my college in 1997. I went to a different place, away from my grand dad’s home to study further. I went to Bhubaneswar to finish my post graduation. Through out my career I got passed in first division by His grace.

Year 2001:  In June 2000, I started working in YMCA. There again problem started. I was having irregular heartbeats. As I was straining myself more because of work I started feeling bad, like feeling tired and all. I went to a cardiologist and he said that the passage that was done during the last surgery is almost blocked. Tension mounds up in my family. We desperately started praying to God. And at last in 2001 Feb. 20^th I was operated once again, in Bangalore. The night before my surgery was very scary and dreadful, though there was a lean smile on my face. I prayed to God that night, “God let me find myself in sleep peacefully either in your arms, if I die during surgery or on my bed after a successful surgery by your amazing grace.” Then I slept for few hours. I got up early in the morning and saw my mom and one of my uncles staring at me. My mom was looking dangerously pale. I gave her a smile and she smiled back, but both of us knew that we both are acting for each other. I was taken to the Operation Theater. I saw the clock it was 8:05 A.M. I didn’t know anything else. After sometime I got up and asked the nurse frantically, “is my surgery over?” she “Yes”. I checked my chest and it was covered with bandage. Whole of my body was aching and paining. But there was a deep relief within myself. I thanked God. This was a tremendous experience, because during my first surgery I was so small to think and experience.

In June 2001, I joined in a mission far away from Cuttack as an accountant. That was in Kolkata. Initially my mom stayed with me for 8 months, as there were post surgery food restrictions. After that she went home and I had to stay all alone in an office room in Kolkata. There were many such experiences I had to go through when I was all alone for 3 years at my work place. God taught me many new things while staying alone.  I had a desire to counsel others who are in problem. That desire inspired me to do a course on Psychological Counseling through correspondence while working.

In June 2004, I went home for some official work at Cuttack and there I came to know that my relatives had plans to take to me a girl’s house for a marriage proposal. I liked the girl and say ‘yes’ to my relatives to proceed. Later after seeing her I came back to Kolkata. My parents and relatives later informed that my marriage is arranged with the same girl. I was happy, because previously I was thinking that which girl would marry a heart patient like me. On  28^th of Dec. 2004, I got married to that beautiful lady, ASMITA. She was a gifted singer. I love singing, music and songs. I got a wife at last only by His grace. But I was so unaware of the problems waiting ahead of us.

Year 2005:  During the time of my marriage I was feeling tired for very small work. Later after marriage I joined my office. I was gradually feeling very weak. There was mild fever in my body almost all the time. There was unceasing cough persisting for two months or so. In March 5^th or 6^th I started coughing out blood. My mom was with us that time, trying to help us to settle down. And to our dismay I started coughing out blood daily. My poor wife was shocked and terrified seeing my condition. My mom was thinking what again happened after such a wonderful surgery in 2001. Everything was going on so smoothly. I was hospitalized on 16^th of March. The chest doctor said its TB but was not sure as I was coughing blood even after taking TB dots. The doctor was more scared because I have cardiac problem. On 22^nd of March I coughed out the maximum amount of blood to alarm everybody including my doctor brother. The chest doctor thought I am spitting blood because of my cardiac problem and he lost his hope and told my brother to take me to the hospital in Bangalore where I was operated. I with my brother flew to Bangalore immediately. As soon as the flight arrived I was taken to the hospital by an ambulance. My wife and my mom were dumb founded and left behind in Kolkata. They started their journey by train the very next day. Inside the ambulance I got the chance to speak with my wife on my brother’s cell and told her not to worry much but just pray and come fast. I was admitted in the hospital and waiting for the proper treatment. My brother and other people left me alone in the hospital went away. Poor people they couldn’t have done anything. I was struggling all alone on the hospital bed. I was arguing with God. I was asking Him, “Why he allowed me to marry and now brought put us in such circumstances?” “What will happen to my wife if something happens to me?” My mom and my wife reached there after two days journey. My mom started crying after she came to see me. But my wife was just smiling, a very painful smile. I started crying seeing her because I was feeling bad for her state just after marriage. They were coming to see me regularly in visiting hours. They used to come and console me, give me strength and tell me that “everywhere many people are praying for you, so don’t worry”. At last the doctors came to a conclusion after the CT Scan that, this was just a case of pulmonary TB. There was a hole in my pulmonary tube. But God was so gracious He saved me once again and restored my wife from a sudden shock, which she will never forget in her life. My mom was relieved. My relatives started praising God. I was discharged from the hospital after 7 days and came back to Cuttack. I was strictly restricted to join my work or put any sort of strain on my body. I stayed on rest 5 months in Cuttack.

Those were all ‘wilderness experience’ for me. I learnt many things from God in those 5 months. I repented from many of my mistakes. I was again reminded of the talents He has given me for His glory. The thought of publishing a booklet came to my mind and I told that to my wife. We designed it in our minds and shared with my relatives and at last “CANDLES” (our booklet) was born in 28^th of Dec. 2005. 

Till now God has carried me in fact ‘us’ in His safe hands up to this point of life.  He blessed us in many ways. “CANDLES” has already completed one year successfully. And we both know that God will carry us till our last evenings. And we will try our best to burn for the Almighty till the end.

All glory and honour be to HIM.

 

(This testimony is also there in a differnt page named as “MY TESTIMONY” in this blog.)

You need a check-up !!!

 

STRESS is very common in our daily lives. There is not a single person who is stress free. Everybody is under the bondage of stress in this modern world. We need to know, what is the definition and meaning of this word ‘Stress’? Stress is “Any life changes and events that put forth pressures on the individual’s coping abilities”.

When stress becomes chronic it affects adversely both on our mental as well as physical being. And we become diseased with ‘Psycho-Physiological Diseases’ that means the afflicted individual due to emotional psychological stress as the cause brings the physical symptoms upon himself.

The emotional factor cause bodily changes of maladaptive nature as well as to sustain them. The physiological disorder therefore is a real disease and not imaginary one.

Psycho Physiologic Diseases or problems due to STRESS: 

·  Skin Problems:  Eczema, Pimples, and Mouth Ulcer.

· Problems of Muscles & Bones:  Backaches, Muscles Cramp, Tension Headache and some Arthritis.

·  Respiratory Problems:  Asthma and Bronchitis.

·  Cardiac Problems:  Hypertension, Heart Attacks,

·  Genital & Urinary Problems:  Problems in Menstruation and Urination.

·  Endocrine Problems:  Thyroid Problems and Obesity

·  Stomach & Intestinal Problems:  Peptic Ulcer, Duodenal Ulcer & Gastric problems.

·  Problems of other types:  Disturbances in the nervous system for emotional factors.

·  Psychiatric Problems: Depression, Mania, Hysteria, Suicidal tendencies.

 

The above description makes it very essential for us to overcome stress as soon as possible. Under there are few stress relievers mentioned for your help:

Physiological Stress Relievers

v     Giving up smoking & alcohol intake

v     Getting Regular Exercise

v     Relaxing & having fun is necessary

v     Reducing anger, anxiety & depression

v     Managing your time tactfully & Learning Prioritizing

v     Changing your environment & Distraction from the problem

v     Refocusing attention & Reinforce positive self-statements

v     Focusing on your Good qualities & accomplishments

v     Recognizing & accepting your limits

v     Having a Balanced Diet

v     Share your problems with your closest friend or person

v     Doctors’ advice should be taken when its serious

Spiritual Stress Relievers

Ø      Just break down & PRAY to God (Phil. 4:6-7)

Ø      CAST all your BURDEN on God (1 Pet. 5:6-7)

Ø      TRUST in God & do Good (Ps. 37: 3)

Ø      DELIGHT yourself in the Lord (Ps. 37: 4)        

Ø      COMMIT your WAY to the Lord ((Ps. 37: 5)

Ø      WAITING PATIENTLY for God to answer (Ps. 37: 7)

Ø      Be at PEACE with everybody (which reduces friction & Stress) (Prov. 14:30)

Ø      Be CHEERFUL every time  (Prov. 17:22)

Ø      Learn to FORGIVE (Eph. 4:31-32)

Friends! Are you stressed out? You need a check-up.

 

 

My Stress Busters !

Stress is part of life. We encounter Stress in every step we move forward in life.  Sometimes stress helps indirectly by motivating and challenging us to achieve many things but most of the time it puts an adverse effect on our mind, soul and body. We feel uncomfortable, frustrated, irritated etc, because of the continual stress. We feel an urgent need of taking some drastic steps to get rid of stress. In my experience there are five solid stress busters, which I always use when I am stressed out. I want to share those five stress busters with you for your help. Those are as follows:

 

Go to Sleep: when I am stressed out I feel so down sometimes it becomes very difficult to concentrate any other work. I just go to my bed and take a long nap. And when I get up I feel refreshed, composed to solve the problems. Yeah! It’s true that when you feel stressed out at your work place you cannot sleep. You have to wait till you go back to home. But if there is no time constraint take a nap you will be relieved.

 

Work out on your Hobbies: Do you collect postage stamps? Do you write stories or poems? Do you listen to music? Do you like to sing? Do you like to go for a long drive? Are fond of butterflies in a garden? Do you like gardening? Do you like to play cricket or soccer? Then just do it at once. Do whatever you love the most when you are stressed out. Work out on your hobbies and be relieved. Hobbies do give lots of joys and pleasures to refresh your stressed out mind.

 

Share your problems: I have few close friends, relatives. When I am stressed out I just go and share my feelings with them, I sob and they console me then I am relieved. And now as I am married I have my wife always with me by my side. I just hold her tight and weep and that relieves lots of tensions and stress. So I think this will be wonderful for you too if just go down to your close ones and share your problems and feel free.

 

Pray to God: This is the most convenient and effective stress buster as far as my knowledge and experience is concerned. Wherever you are, either kneel down or close your eyes or just call out to God silently within yourself when you are in troubles. We get stressed out when something overpowers us. But when we believe the all powerful and almighty God and pray we feel stress free, as our attention diverted from the problem to the almighty God.

 

Serve / help others: Whenever I heard or listen to somebody’s problem I forget my own pain. So whenever you are going through stressful phase just try to find out few ways to help others who are in need or do some social work. Serving others is such a helpful stress buster that it really makes you feel very happy and satisfied. It also gives you a sense of accomplishment.

 

So, friends! Are you stressed out! Try out these stress busters and give a big broad smile.

UNFAILING LOVE of God for each day!

 

DAY 1: “In your UNFAILING LOVE you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.”

( Ex. 15:13 ) 

DAY 2: “He gives his king great victories; he shows UNFAILING KINDNESS to his annointed, to David and his descendants forever.”  

( 2Sam. 22:51 ) 

DAY 3: “Turn, O Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your UNFAILING LOVE.” 

( Ps. 6:4 ) 

DAY 4:” But I trust I your UNFAILING LOVE; my heart rejoices in your Salvation”.

( Psalm 13:5 )

DAY 5:  As No. 2 – “ He gives ………. Forever”.

( Psalm 18: 50 ) 

DAY 6: “For the King trust in the Lord; through the UNFAILING LOVE of the Most High, he will not be shaken”.

( Psalm 21: 7 ) 

DAY 7: “Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your UNFAILING LOVE”.

( Psalm 31: 16 ) 

DAY 8: “Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trust in him”.

( Psalm 32: 10 ) 

DAY 9: “The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his

UNFAILING LOVE”.

( Psalm 33 : 5 ) 

DAY 10: “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his UNFAILING LOVE”.

( Psalm 33 : 18 ) 

DAY 11: “May your UNFAILING LOVE rest upon us,

O Lord, even as we put our hope in you”.

( Psalm 33: 22 ) 

DAY 12: “ How priceless is you UNFAILING LOVE! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings”. 

(  Psalm 36 : 7 )

 

DAY 13: “ Rise up and help us; redeem us because of your UNFAILING LOVE”.

(  Psalm 44 : 26 ) 

DAY 14: “ Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your UNFAILING LOVE”.

( Psalm 48 : 9 ) 

DAY 15: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your UNFAILING LOVE; according to your great compassion blot out my transgression”.

( Psalm 51: 1 ) 

DAY: 16: “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s UNFAILING LOVE for ever and ever”.

( Psalm 52: 8 )

 

DAY 17: “Has his UNFAILING LOVE vanished forever ?

Has his promise failed for all time?” 

( Psalm 77: 8 ) 

DAY 18: “Show us you UFAILING LOVE, O Lord, and grant us your salvation”.

( Psalm 85: 7 ) 

DAY 19: “Satisfy us in the morning with your UNFAILING LOVE, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days”. 

( Psalm 90: 14 )

 

DAY 20: “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his UNFAILING LOVE

and wonderful deeds for men”. 

( Psalm 107 : 8 )

DAY 21: “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his UNFAILING LOVE

and wonderful deeds for men”. 

( Psalm 107: 15 ) 

DAY 22: “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his UNFAILING LOVE

and wonderful deeds for men”.

( Psalm 107: 21 ) 

DAY 23:  “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his UNFAILING LOVE

and wonderful deeds for men”.

( Psalm 107: 31 ) 

DAY 24: “May you UNFAILING LOVE come to me,

O Lord, your salvation according to your promise.” 

( Psalm 119: 41 )

 

DAY 25: “May your UNFAILING LOVE be my comfort,

according to your promise to your servant.” 

( Psalm 119: 76 ) 

 DAY 26: “ O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is UNFAILING LOVE

and with him is full redemption”.

( Psalm 130: 7 ) 

DAY 27: “Let the morning bring me word of your UNFAILING LOVE, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul”.

( Ps. 143: 8 ) 

DAY 28: “In your UNFAILING LOVE, silence my enemies; destroy all my fees,

for I am your servant”.

( Psalm 143: 12 ) 

DAY 29: “The Lord delights in those who fear him,

who put (trust) their hope in his UNFAILING LOVE”.

( Psalm 147: 11 ) 

DAY 30: “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my UNFAILING LOVE for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” 

( Isaiah 54:10 ) 

DAY 31: “ Though He brings grief, He will show compassion,

so great is His UNFAILING LOVE.”   

( Lamentation 3:32 )