08/01/2026
Church, I want to testify today: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” — Genesis 50:20
On July 6, 2026, I faced one of the greatest scares of my life. After days of severe insomnia, dehydration, and exhaustion, I woke up and discovered that half of my face was paralyzed. In that moment, fear rushed in. I thought I may have suffered a minor stroke. I was taken to urgent care, and by the grace of God, the diagnosis was Bell’s palsy. Even then, I was anxious about the road ahead, because recovery was expected to take two to four weeks. I began treatment right away with medication, injections, facial therapy, and oxygen chamber treatments. But beneath the diagnosis, beneath the fear, and beneath the questions, I kept asking, “Lord, why is this happening?”
Then my blood work came back, and more of the story began to unfold. I learned that I had type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and anemia. Church, I will be honest with you—it was overwhelming. I felt distraught. I felt weak. There were moments when I was ready to give up. But God surrounded me with love through my wife, my family, and a dear friend who reminded me to worship Him through it all. So that is what I did. Like Job, I worshiped Him in my pain. I knelt. I prayed. I praised Him day and night, singing with my little crooked mouth and offering God whatever strength I had left.
Later, I learned that when someone is diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, they are often advised not to strain the facial muscles. But at the time, all I knew was that I needed to worship. I did not just sing songs—I surrendered. I did not just lift my voice—I gave God my fear, my weakness, my questions, and my outcome. I accepted His will, and I trusted that I was loved no matter what happened next.
And as I worshiped, God began showing me something deeper. This was not only about Bell’s palsy. This was connected to years of neglect—almost a decade of not valuing myself, ignoring warning signs, and losing sight of who I was in Him. I had become more focused on pleasing people than honoring God. I had not loved myself enough to care for the body He had given me.
And this is what the Lord reminded me: your body matters to God.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” — 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” — Romans 12:1
In my weakness, I saw that God was still working in my story. The Lord told the apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So, like Paul, I can say, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Church, when I was weak, my God was strong. When I could not hold myself together, He held me. When I did not know what tomorrow would look like, He reminded me that His grace was enough. And with His strength, I will prevail. This setback was not my ending—it was the beginning of my comeback.
As I reflected on the blood work, I realized how much my body had been crying out for help. For a long time, I had lived with fatigue, shortness of breath, discomfort, and exhaustion after meals. I had pushed through the warning signs, but God, in His mercy, did not forsake me. He reminded me that my identity was not in sickness. My identity was not in fear. My identity was not in failure. My identity is in Him—as an adopted son of the Almighty King and an heir to His Kingdom.
And here is the testimony: by God’s grace, I was completely healed in 16 days with no lasting side effects. What seemed impossible became possible. What looked frightening became a place of revelation. What felt like weakness became a place where God showed His strength. Through it all, God awakened something new in me. I began caring for myself with intention—eating better, avoiding processed foods and sugar, drinking more water, creating new morning and evening routines, exercising, and taking steps toward a healthier life.
But God did more than heal my face. He renewed my compassion. He strengthened my marriage. He deepened my love for my family. He gave me a fresh purpose. I believe July 7, 2026, marked the beginning of a new life for me—a day I will never forget.
When I returned to church today, the message reminded me of our identity in Christ. How ironic, right? Then something beautiful happened: the worship team sang “Center” by Bethel Music—the very song that had become my anthem throughout this entire journey. I had listened to it again and again for days, holding onto the truth that Jesus was at the center of it all. And in that moment, I knew God had been with me in the urgent care room, in the sleepless nights, in the fear, in the treatments, and in the healing.
So today, I want to encourage somebody: no matter what crisis you are facing, God has not let go of you. He sees you. He loves you. He is present in the middle of your story. His love overflows. It is perfect, peaceable, gentle, and faithful. When we remember who He is, we are also reminded of who we are in Him.
My journey with type 2 diabetes is just beginning. I believe healing, discipline, and transformation are possible—not through my own power, but through His. I've already lost 16 lbs without any medication, simply by caring enough and making the effort. What the enemy intended for harm, God is turning into good, as Genesis 50:20 reminds us. The most important part is that I was saved and given new life so I could share and remind others that God is the one who saves lives.
Thank you for your prayers, love, and support. And may this testimony encourage anyone who feels weary, afraid, or forgotten: God is still working, even in weakness. Your pain is not wasted. Your season is not hidden from Him. Your setback may be the very place where God begins your comeback. Amen.
Thank you to the people who stood with me in prayer and support: Dr.Chad Schapiro, Dr. Bruce Proctor, Brian N Natalie Robles, Joseph Lourigan , Michael Tovar, the entire Rice Church leadership, Dr. Carlos M. Quijada, Ronald Scott Glover, Nurse Melinda Payer, Erica Hinojosa , Pastor James Mann, Marcus Arrelius, Pastor Nino Gonzalez, Franklin Torres, Carlo Colantonio, and my loving wife, Bea Villarreal Moreno and children.
Why worry when you have an army of believers praying for you?
GOD is GOOD!
