TESTIMONY
God has shown me early on in my life that he can do exceedingly, abundantly and above all I can ever ask or think. By his grace he healed my body, restored my broken marriage and gave me a second chance in life.
If you were to meet me today you would have never guessed that at age 32 I had a major stroke! I was a young man with my whole life ahead of me. I thought I had it all together. I had not really felt a drawing of the Lord until I was in college. I accepted the Lord there and was very excited about my future as a new creature and young man in Christ.
I graduated from college, had a plan to study medicine but God began to lead me on a different course. I visited a church one day called MRC, Miracle Revival Center and felt the need to join as a member under Pastor DR. FM Murphy who became an inspiration in my life and was an awesome women of God who continually taught me the true word of God. I met my wife there, Tonya J Hampton and joined in a marriage union with her and our daughter Shattonna J Hampton.
We began to experience problems within our marriage, I had my idea on how I should be as a husband and father and my wife had her idea on how I should be as well. Apparently we did not agree. I became disappointed, felt cheated and was angry. We were living with Jesus in our hearts but not able to let him live through our lives and change us into what he needed for us to be as man and wife. In order not to deal with my marital problems at home I began to find other outlets to avoid the issues. I did not talk to my wife, she started threatening divorce and I began to reject her in my heart.
During the summer of 2001 while I was coaching football I passed out in the middle of practice, they rushed me to the hospital where I later learned that I had a blood clot lodged in my neck which caused me to have a full blown stroke. I was paralyzed and numb on my right side, my equilibrium was off, I could not talk without slurring, I was deaf in one ear and was unable to take care of myself.
I could only think in my head that If am God's child why is this happening to me? I tried to shake myself just like Sampson did in the bible but I quickly realized that what was happening to me was not going to be shook off.
I was in a terrible state. I now had a critical illness, a failing marriage and my family was falling apart around me. I needed 24 hour care to recover so I moved back in with my parents and my wife filed for divorce.
I felt an over whelming since of betrayal, rejection embarrassment, failure and disappointment. How could I end up this way? Back at my parents house in my childhood bed room back at square one. I did not ever imagine my life would be this way. I had many questions for God and needed answers, what happened?
I felt I had done things right, I accepted the Lord, knew I was his child. I believed every aspect of his word and was a strong advocate for marriage but now here I am Gods child and divorced! I soon realized that I needed to do more than just accept Jesus Christ into my life but I needed to allow him to change my life from the inside out.
I made a decision to move out of the Lords way and allow him to began to fix my mind, body and soul. God restored me! I began to heal from the stroke within a years time. I was walking up right without assistance or a cane. My speech came back, and I returned to work full time. I am still numb on one side of my face and deaf in one ear but if you were to see me you would not believe me, when I tell you I had a Major Stroke.
But God began to make changes in my life, he healed my broken heart, erased the failure and he restored my marriage. My wife and I now flow like synchronized swimmers, not only with each other but also with the Lord. I have my family back.
Now you can see why I say that the Lord has truly Blessed me. And he wants to Bless others with his love. Now that I have a second chance at life I will live for Jesus and tell anyone anywhere that the Lord can fix and restore anything for anybody. He did it for me and he will do it for you.
My family is now working together in the ministry that God placed in my heart so many years ago, Bring In Christ Ministries and we are glad to bring in Christ whenever an opportunity arises rather it be for our community or the nation.
Much Love, Paul.
If you would like for us to pray for your marriage please send us an email.
Copyright 2013 B.I.C. Ministries
