SUFFOCATED
Sometime in April 2024, while I was in Lagos, where my family resides, I suddenly developed a problem that affected my breathing, especially at night. Breathing with my nose became difficult, and it was as though air could not go in smoothly until I forced it in or used my mouth to breathe. This became worse when I laid down to sleep, and it felt like if I did, I would die. The discomfort was so much that it brought concern to my family as I would exclaim, “I’m not breathing well!”
Howbeit, I’ve never had any asthma-related issues all my life.
The issue got so intense one of those nights, I had to be rushed to the hospital at about 1 am. Fortunately, it was the clinic my elder sister worked in, so it was at little cost. Funnily, after arriving at the hospital, the issue dissipated before intervention, and I could breathe in and out smoothly. Upon medical checkup, nothing was found as the cause of the breathing difficulty, and I was given a simple tablet to take. The symptoms abated, and everything was fine for the next couple of months.
In September that same year, I travelled to Uyo and spent a few months there before returning to Lagos for my sister’s wedding. The breathing difficulty resurfaced after the first night of being at home. Now I believe this time, the Lord God allowed it to happen because I struggled with going back to Uyo at that time. I wanted to remain in Lagos despite God communicating otherwise.
Since we’ve given our lives to Christ, asked Him to be Lord over us, and made serious prayers like “Lord, drag me by any means possible so we can do Your will,” I believe God decided to allow the breathing difficulty to plague me from the second night of my return home till the night before my travel, after agreeing that I was going back to Uyo.
So it didn’t matter the pressure and persecution from my parents not to return to Uyo, I just knew if I stayed any minute longer than expected, there was a possibility of sleeping and not waking up again due to the condition. It was quite frustrating because nothing could be pinpointed as the cause of my problem medically.
Because of this, I packed my bags like a fugitive and left the house. Do you know that from the time I left Lagos till date, I’ve not had that issue? Yes, I have been breathing fine since my arrival.
In addition to this, Pastor prayed about breathing difficulty issues last Sunday, and the Sunday before last, he prayed about asthma-related issues. I jumped into the prayers with all of my chest, and I felt God’s healing power come in. However, I’m still expectant of what will happen when I get back home to Lagos at the right time.
Nonetheless, I thank God that I’m not feeling that way anymore. It was a very difficult experience, and I totally understand those who go through actual asthma-related issues.
Cleansing my Tongue
I want to thank God for delivering me from the spirit of vulgar words, coarse talk, and jesting. I picked this up even as a Christian while I was working at my former office. The office is very much like Babylon, Sodom and Gomorrah, with sexual immorality amongst the workers and partners.
When I newly got employed there, I didn’t waste any time shining my light as a Christian. Normally, I would carry my big Bible to read in the office and began to preach to my colleagues. This earned me the title “Man of God,” “Pastor,” and “Youth Pastor.” My former boss, even though he was a Muslim, respected my beliefs. Despite showing my serious Christian traits, I was still admired and liked by the lawyers, both Christians and non-Christians.
Howbeit, I still picked up certain negative traits unconsciously, of which the one I struggled with most was vulgar words. Now I would catch myself unconsciously saying the “S” word and even sometimes the “F” word.
One of those days, someone I was mentoring in the office, who had resigned due to the sodomic tendencies there was chatting with me on WhatsApp and said, “Utibe, you are already talking like them.” This broke me into many pieces and made me yearn for a spiritual bath.
Upon returning to Uyo and being around a godly environment, I didn’t have to struggle or find myself saying these words, but I also didn’t realise that a demon had latched on to me.
The second Sunday of January was the date for my deliverance from this. During the deliverance prayer, Pastor mentioned vulgar words and coarse jesting, and almost immediately I heard my former office name. Then out of the blues, I began to feel like throwing up.
Typically, I don’t feel the Spirit move all the time. I keep standing even though almost everyone falls. But this time, I couldn’t hold myself. I had to rush to the restroom before I puked on my neighbour. No food came out, just whitish stuff.
I came back and sat, so relieved. Something had indeed left me, and I want to give thanks to God for purifying my speech and setting me free from any demonic influences.
— Bro U.U
2nd February 2025
© God’s Lighthouse 2025
