Faith Story by Peta Charmaine Gilong
I have been working as a dentist for the past 12 years. Last year was a really difficult season for me. I had just returned from the UK after completing my Master’s, and I also began working in private practice after spending 9 years in KKM (Kementrian Kesihatan Malaysia). The transition was tough – I wrestled with doubts, regrets, and soon realised that the job wasn’t financially stable.
So I considered working in Australia. But I found out that my qualifications weren’t recognised there. In order to practice, I had to sit for the Australian dental licensing exam. That meant I had to revise everything learned in 5 years of dental school in just one month. On top of that, I was also diagnosed with depression.
It was during this time that Pak Paulus Bambang, an Indonesian preacher, came to speak at Skyline. What really struck me during his sermon was how he wakes up before 5am every day just to pray. God works in mysterious ways because Skyline launched the 40 days fast and pray a week later. With encouragement from my friend, Michelle Shu, we decided to come for dawn prayer together.
Waking up at 5am was a real struggle – especially while battling depression – but I kept showing up. At work, there were several moments when depression would hit, even while treating a patient. In those moments, I would say in my heart, “God, your grace is sufficient for me” One minute at a time. Then one hour. Then eventually the day has gone by.
About a month into the 40-day prayer, I found myself in a better mental space than I had been a long time ago. So I went ahead and sat for the exam in KL. Honestly, I had no idea how I did, but I remember telling God, “If I pass, I will testify”.
The results came out about a month later, just a few days before a trip to Seoul. I didn’t want the outcome to affect my trip, so I asked my brother to check the results. He was not to tell me until I got back. But my brother isn’t the best listener … and he told me even before the trip that I passed!
All glory to God.
Today, if you’re unsure whether putting a piece of paper in a fish bowl changes anything. or even waking up at 5.00am to seek God is worth the sacrifice, I challenge you to try. You may not see your prayer answered the way you want it to, but you will be transformed in your faith journey as you encounter God. I’m am evidence as a testimony that God hears, God answers in His own perfect ways, and His grace truly is sufficient for us. God bless you.
Peta Charmaine Gilong