Pastor Steven Teo

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No More Back Pains

I have a very bad posture, I tend to slouch most of the time. As a pre-school teacher, I also tend to squat or bend down when conversing with the children in my class. At first, it didn't bother me at all though I knew in the long run it would cause back pains and it surely did!

During my first year in a pre-school, I handled toddlers (terrible twos!). Many times I had to carry one child for 15 minutes to half hour to comfort him/her as two years old children are still by the way babies! Each session lasted for 2 and a half hours per day; very short but really physically tiring. This was the beginning of my back pain problems. At the end of the session, I would lie down on the carpet with small pillow under my back and I could really feel excruciating pains from time to time. This went on for a year, but really didn't consult a doctor, I thought that perhaps it's because of my work. Instead, I prayed to be transferred to the higher level class as I know definitely that carrying children was not for me due to my small body frame.

God answered my prayers, the following year, the pricipal moved me to the oldest class level which is Kindergarten 2 (age level 5-6). My back pains has lessened, however, in Kindergarten 2, I had to sit on the carpet cross-legged when teaching most of the hands-on lessons to the children. As the years went by, my back pain was getting worse. I've noticed that before, I can sit long hours in a chair or cross-legged on a carpet for many minutes, but this time, it takes only 10 minutes and I can feel the pain.

I love sitting cross-legged. It is my favourite prayer position as it keeps me more awake and alert during my morning and evening devotions with God. However, the longer I sit in that position the more agony of pain it was causing my back. It was really hard.

I was so scared and concerned. My Auntie was diagnosed with Scoliosis and my sister too (mild Scoliosis)! I tried to exercise regularly, it did help a bit but I can't do sit-ups for it will really punish my back. I went for a bone density test (for any possible signs of Osteoporosis), the test was nornal, phew! I was still scared because I have read somewhere that Scoliosis is one of a genetic disease. My profession could have triggered it in me; my mind was running wild with paranoia!

On August 2006, our church invited Pastor Steven Teo to be the speaker for our annual church camp. Pastor Steven preached about Living an Abundant Life which includes having to live a healthy life. The preaching was really practical and wonderful. In one of our meetings during the camp, Pastor Steven asked those who needed healing to come forward and he said, I will pray for you. I was very sure that the Holy Spirit was leading him to do that. But to be very honest, I was hesitant to come. I was thinking I am not sure what this is, it could just be caused of my bad posture and perhaps God will heal me with regular exercise. Deep within me however, I can feel the urgency to come so I yielded.

As I was standing at the altar and it was my trun to be prayed for, Pastor Steven asked me which part of my body needed healing. I told him that I have been suffering from back pains. He touched my back and prayed for it. After the prayer I fell backwards on the floor, but as I was lying there, I felt something like heat flowing through my spinal cord and all over my back and it felt better.

I didn't know if it was Scoliosis or another disease I don't really care anymore! All I know was that night after the meeting, I prayed before going to bed, cross leg for more than half hour without any pain on my back!

Praises to our God the Healer!

Connie in perfect health!

Concepcion P. Solicito
Expat in Jakarta,
Indonesia
July 2007