Lesson I Learned From My Trials With Epilepsy

We all have trials in our lives, yet sometimes wonder if we can take them on and even ask, “Why have these come to me?”

When a trial or obstacle comes into our life, it’s our goal to find it’s purpose and use it to make us stronger.

It can be painful, yet “Iron sharpens Iron”.

Remember the story of Joseph, Genesis 37-50. This is the story about a young man. Joseph's father’s name is Jacob, and they lived in Canaan from where his grandfather was from. Joseph was seventeen (old enough to drive a car these days), and he had eleven brothers; and only had one brother younger than him.

Joseph was a innocent man, yet he was sold into slavery and many terrible things happens to him such as false imprisonment. All these things happen to him so that he could save all of Egypt.

We don’t know what the Lord has planned for us.

Whatever pain you have in your heart, you can’t move forward unless you release it. This pain may be hate, anger, rage, envy, yet Love and Forgiveness will allow us to move forward through anything.

In second grade, I developed a terrible case of Epilepsy. My condition affected many of parts of life.  My childhood dream was to copy everything that my father did.  So, I earn every award he did in the Boy Scouts of America and more.  Yet, at 16, I was told I was unable to drive.  I was still having grand-mal seizures all these years later.  My next step in my dream was to join the United States Air Force and be a pilot like my dad.  But, my condition stop that goal as well.

I was never able to hold a Full time career because of my condition. My seizures have been very severe throughout my life. I have been found wondering in public not knowing what is going on.  I once even fell asleep in my bed, and found myself in an ambulance two hours away. I had gotten onto the Metro Link train system and rode until it stopped without realizing it.

At this time I was once angry at the world and at God. This was because I was a innocent like Joseph. Why should I have this condition. So, I grew into a depression during my college years.

Yet, a few years at Greenville College, a professor named Jack Chism was my first eye Opener.  He helped me get over my pain and let me see that everything has a reason. I just didn't know what it was yet. Years after I graduated from college, I realized that my condition brought me to my college where I met my Wife to be. I now have an Awesome family and I now know I can achieve whatever I believe I can. I also have a testimony that has helped others.

I have accepted my condition and it has made me the Man I am today. This transformation into a strong will person took help from loving friends and a lot of time. This has been over a thirty year journey, but it was worth it. I am now happy, and I have a goal to run to every day. The most important lesson I learned is Happiness is a Decision, NOT a Destination.

I love share the kindness that my friends shared with me so many years ago when I needed it. So one goals of my blogging, is to reach others who might need to hear the same words I once heard by sharing mine.