Standing On God's Promises
I grew up around smokers and as a kid thought smoking was the grossest thing. I said I’d never do it but decided to try it as a teen for some idiotic reason.
Fifteen years later when I was born again, I understood the good news to be what God had done, not what I needed to do for God to accept me, which was what I’d been taught. With that invitation to Christ, I understood that He would transform my life. Some things did change immediately, but not everything. I figured I should quit smoking, but mostly for the sake of appearance and acceptance. I prayed, had others pray, and tried several ways to stop but was unsuccessful.
I heard testimonies of people who were immediately delivered from their addictions upon trusting the Lord. Not understanding why this hadn't happened to me and hearing radio preaching that outward fruit was an inward sign of faith I felt like a failure. So, still believing in the God of my salvation, I quit going to church after 6 1/2 years.
In 1995 as I was driving and lighting another cigarette after having just smoked one, I thought “This is ridiculous.” I'd recently heard a preacher encouraging listeners to “take yourselves back to the Manufacturer” for help. So I prayed, "Lord, I know I haven't been walking with You, but I would like to ask You once again to please deliver me from smoking. It's a stupid habit I never should have started but I just don't have the power in me to quit. I know You could deliver me. And Lord, You know how I usually get bronchitis once a year but still manage to smoke? Maybe next year when I get bronchitis, I will be too sick to smoke!"
One year later, I got bronchitis so bad I could barely breathe and definitely couldn’t smoke! The doctors thought I had asthma and gave me an inhaler. Then it occurred to me that this was an answer to prayer! I was in awe of God's mercy. The realization of what was happening caused me to change my ways and start going to church again. To get through the initial withdrawals I would cut up drinking straws to mimic my addiction. I also wore some expired nicotine patches. Every time I coughed, I praised the Lord for His goodness in freeing me! Each week, our pastor would have me laughing out loud one minute and crying with gratitude the next. The power of God and His loving kindness and grace washed over me. I told the Lord, “I will always give You the glory because I know I could not do this myself.”
I’ve hoped in the promise of Psalm 91:14 for years: “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him...”
Doctors have since told me I do not have asthma. I smoked for 27 years and have been free from smoking for 27 years! Glory to God!
– Leslie Brown
