What a Seizure!

 Dear Esteemed Reader; 

I have good news for you! There is wonderful joy ahead even though we have to endure many trials for a little while. Be encouraged! ☺️

It's amazing how God can bring sunshine out of the cloudiest day. 💫💫💞

Some years ago I embarked on a journey with high hopes to resume a new appointment at an organisation based in Delta State. Little did I know that my first assignment would be conducted en route. I arrived at the Lagos park as early as 6am to buy my bus ticket to Warri  (Delta State, Nigeria) and was rudely shocked to meet a long queue even at dawn. Exasperated by the rush and endless queue, I reluctantly joined hoping to pay for a bus equipped with air- conditioning (AC), however I was painfully disappointed when it got to my turn and was informed that the tickets for the AC- buses have been exhausted. With no feasible option in sight, I opted for the bus without AC. I overheard a plummy accent right behind me quizzing; "... but why? I came this early to catch up with the AC bus ..this is not encouraging at all.."..I looked back and was captivated by the sight of the young, tall, elegant lady resplendent in yellow blouse, perfumed brown skinned beauty...well manicured hands. I admired her social graces, wondering... how she could survive this heat. Amazingly, she gracefully comported herself despite the pressure at the ticketing office. We finally got over the process in about an hour and as soon as the bus was ready, we took our seats and I was happy to secure the back seat close to the window. Much more, it was a pleasant surprise to see the amiable lady took the seat next to me. The grin on her face was welcoming and we exchanged pleasantries. The chemistry between us was divine, it felt like best friends that have known each other for years. We had a good laugh at the " Prayer warriors " who littered the garage praying for commuters and demanding offerings at the same time...hmm ..Lagos na wah!😀 

The journey was quite enjoyable at inception as my new found companion, Lucy( not real name) was chatty and humorous. We chatted about our work life, the multifaceted challenges of career women. I never envisaged any dark cloud could be ahead of us. We were about two hours into the journey when Lucy said she needed to rest. Afterwards, about 30 minutes later, I suddenly noticed that she was sweating profusely and was jerking her body seeking comfort. I thought she needed some space, but I was befuddled when she became really anxious asking me to help her loosen her weavon hairstyle. I wondered, but why? Before I could utter any statement...she stared and with an uncontrollable jerking of the head, arms and legs ...convulsing.. Ah...it's a seizure! I quickly guarded her head with my hand and arms...  to keep her from hurting herself or hitting her head hard on the wind shield behind. ... calling for help from the men in the bus however I was taken aback more by their arrogance than ignorance.  " Lack of knowledge is not criminal but lack of wisdom can be lethal"...( I can't remember the source of this statement but it's just on point!).

The driver suddenly parked by the grassy road side and all the passengers ran out shouting "She's possessed... so, fine woman like this fit be possessed?...don't touch her or else you will also contact epilepsy..." Oh my God! I wept as I was left alone with my darling friend. After a few minutes she was calm and I had to practically plead with the driver to assist me as we carried her out and laid her on a wrapper by the road side. I was relieved seeing that she did not sustain any injury. She laid unconscious and I sat by her to avoid any creeping reptile or harmful insect crawling over her.  

I watched the others intentionally distanced...men and women lamenting horrible tales of stroke and epilepsy fits saying she's cursed and possessed...warning me that I have endangered myself by touching her spit and caring for her. I had to vehemently reprove them for calling her possessed and cursed . I took my time to explain how the sudden bursts of electrical activities in the brain temporarily affects how it works...and how to care for people in such fits. They were alarmed and were more afraid ...watching as I cleaned her up. I focused on Lucy knowing she would regain  consciousness soon, so I sat by her waiting and after about twenty minutes she did!

Immediately she opened her eyes, she saw me holding her hands and bursted into tears...of course, I understood her emotions at that time. I held her hands so she could feel my presence and love and also distract her from the pervasive stigmatizing glances of the passengers. I cleaned up her tears... supported her to sit up. After about ten minutes, she looked at me with her tears soiled eyes for some minutes and signalled that she was ready to continue the journey. I noticed she checked for her drugs in her bag. I supported her to the bus while others got in and I had to sit by her side at the front seat. The other passengers were all whispering silently. The driver by my side however apologized to me and I took my time to educate him on the need to be a  thoughtful doer, how come there was no first aid box to treat emergencies en route ? He sighed and promised to inform his boss. 

Lucy kept on sobbing..not saying a word to me ..I knew she just needed love not questions...so I kept wiping off her tears...after a while, she placed her head on my shoulders and fell asleep. Then, I got the inspiration to pray for her. I held her hands and quietly prayed. She woke up after about an hour and still kept her head on my shoulder. I knew that was all she needed. No talk...she just needed a shoulder to lean on! And that was all she did for the rest of the journey. We got to Warri a few hours later and she quietly told me she's fine and I should kindly help her with a taxi, so I got one for her and before she got in ...she hugged me warmly, held my hands and with a big smile she said " Thank you...thank you...thank you.."  I was deeply touched by Lucy's pain, moreso she didn't even have the strength to talk after the whole episode. Out of compassion I held her hands and said " Lucy, God loves you.. be strong, you have what it takes to handle this." I was overjoyed when I saw the grin on her face as bright as the sunshine as she got into the car...waving goodbye...i stood still waving back, recounting all that happened as the taxi sped off...Didn't even remember to ask for her phone number.... What a wonderful journey ❤️.

The care I rendered to Lucy was not by accident, it came out of an experience I gained while caring and praying for a close friend who was experiencing such. When medicine failed, my friend trusted God completely and God intervened with healing in His own way through a process of time! That gave me the confidence to also care and pray for Lucy. I believe God that the seeds of love and prayer sown in Lucy will yield glorious outcomes in her life. And to you, dear reader, are you truly looking up to Jesus for healing in any area of your life? 

Remember, when you're saved, you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and healing is your legal right. It is abundantly available for you, but you need to secure the promise through the revelation of the Word and prayer; 

Believe God's Word for you today; 

  " But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. " Isaiah 53: 5

Believe  it, Confess it, taste and see that the Lord is good!

Trust God enough to know you are healed! He does it His own way and time. Don't doubt what you have received and remember to give Him worthy thanks. 😍💞🙌

At a deeper level, rebellion to God and wickedness are the root causes of our political leadership seizure manifestations particularly here in Nigeria. Join the army of Kingdom builders who stand in gap seeking the face of the Lord to heal the church of God in Nigeria of her spiritual seizure fits. That way, we manifest His Glory by arresting the mental, economic and political seizure fits gripping families and our nation at large.

Bottom line- Every experience we pass through is never a waste in God. Like a puzzle, every piece has its unique space in the big picture. In fact when we completely trust God to strengthen us with His Word and perfect us through patience in trials, then we become mature, well seasoned, and equipped with the right experience to comfort those in trouble.... 

" Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God". 2 Corinthians 1: 3- 4

Yours sincerely,

Segilola.