SENTINEL WATCH October 14, 2002 ISSUE

A step into the new inevitable

By Channing Walker

For as far back as I can remember, I got at least one cold each winter, and sometimes several. It seemed inevitable. Occasionally they lingered. More often, they quickly went away after I prayed about them. Some of these healings of colds came in a matter of hours. A few with speed-of-light swiftness. Although these healings encouraged me, I'd usually get another cold the next winter.

Finally, four years ago, I made my way through the whole winter cold-free. A victory! With the old "inevitable" broken, a new reality settled in. Getting sick wasn't inescapably certain. And in one more of the last three winters, I made it through untouched again.