Faith Story by Eric Cheong
In the recent 1.5 years, I have undergone 3 endoscopic surgeries (under anaesthesia) at 2 different hospitals for spontaneous pneumothorax on both lungs, spending a total of 14 days in ICU, HDU, and normal ward hospitals. This ailment comes with unexpected shortness of breath, sharp pains in my lungs, requiring the procedure of tube insertion into my chest wall, and has an resulting overall loss of body mass and muscle. It interfered with my emotional health, sending me into a pre-depressive state and causing exacerbating anxiety. My recuperation cost months as this was repeated thrice. It was at hefty expense of time and money for my family and I. Anguish, loneliness and helplessness grew.
My condition is idiosyncratic. I have never smoked, I regularly exercise, I sparingly drink, and I do not indulge in drugs. Frankly I spend most of my time studying and working. But this befell me when it mattered the most – during my 2nd and 3rd year of University (i.e. when the CPGA is counted). I was absent from University for 3 – 4 months. This was the time when I needed to work, to do in-depth reading, assignments and commitments. This delay could derail years of planned hard work.
Through all this time, I had to endure trials with my family who travelled consistently to come to my aid. We were living in perils of unplanned disasters and in constant states of worry and even disbelief. Our faith was tested; not once, not twice, but thrice. In particular, my parents bore the heaviest burdens. The uncertainty of my condition, the stubbornness of my grit, and the financial costs incurred was crippling. Their child was sick, and they could not understand why.
While I was in the HDU room, I reflected, and everything seemed ominous. Having done poorly in my academics during my High School years and prejudiced by teachers for my playfulness, I had worked hard to carve what little chance of triumph I could salvage. Now it looked like all my effort was all going to dwindle into emptiness.
But prayer and the Lord, truly the Lord, served as a beam of unwavering light. The depth of the abyss of human mortality cannot compare to the divine wisdom of God. He saved me, my family and my faith from dissipation. He helped me to remain sanguine through the darkest hours, and made sure whatever pain I had to endure was as ephemeral as possible. He restored financial incurrence (and He continues to provide), He replenished what strength we had lost, and He repaid the ‘years taken by the locusts’ in dividends of hundred folds. He instilled his unwavering resilience in me, the evidence of which is undeniable.
I stand here today a recent Law Graduate. Alongside getting my Law degree, I am both a first-class honour recipient as well as a dean’s list honouree. I scored overall 2nd in a batch of 384 students (including UK) and placed first in my faculty in Malaysia, achieving “Best Performance” in at least 1 of my 6 subjects taken this year. I triumphed in my professional life, receiving commendations from practitioners, Judges and Professors, who offer my endorsements to others in recognition of my aptitude. I have authored 2 Articles peer-reviewed by a Malaysian High Court Judge with high commendation, and am assured of a successful future ahead by all who have met me.
My health is restored. I am triumphant over my illness, and it had no effect on the success the Lord has promised me. The years taken away, the torment and losses my family and I had endured, are nowhere near in comparison to the blessings He had promised, both now and forever. The glory is the Lord’s, as I stand victorious over the attempts of the evil one. I am God’s child, He is my Father. We are blessed because of Him. And He will prevail for both you and l always. Amen.
Eric Cheong Je Young