I can’t help but think of Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” song as I begin to write this sermonette. Everything’s gonna be alright was something I should have been singing to myself all along. Five years ago, on New Year’s Eve, I had an attack of vertigo. It really scared me because I had never experienced anything like it before. I wound up in the emergency room where the folks just thought I was drunk and let me chill on a bed for a while before sending me home. A few days went by and I figured it was a one time event, but I prayed about it and consulted with a friend of mine who is an audiologist. A year went by and then came the second episode, more severe than the first. It happened on the same day my audiologist friend was visiting me. I became nauseous and threw up. The episode lasted the entire day. He told me that it could be from a build up of crystals in the inner ear which would cause an imbalance, and that it basically would just get worse over time and I would just have to live with it. It was then I began some serious prayer about healing. I never wanted that horrible experience again. I began to have momentary dizzy spells over the next few years and then this past year something began to happen, I was amazed at the amount of junk that simply began to fall out of my ears. I had tried some cleaning fluid which produced nothing much, but every so often my ear would itch and this clump of stuff fell out on its own. Also during this time, little episodes of momentary dizziness occurred which triggered an anxiety response because of my fearing another vertigo episode. The vertigo never returned and it has been over four years. I was concerned about the dizzy spells becoming more frequent so I finally saw the doctor and began tests. Each and every time, the tests came out negative (much to my relief). It was then I realized these spells could very well be caused by anxiety and the foreboding of expecting another vertigo attack. I knew my arteries and other body equipment were okay so what was it that was happening to me? I realized that although I was asking my heavenly Father for healing, I was not trusting Him to do so – not entirely. I had prayed for others with fantastic results in the past, but I was not at peace with my own supplications. I continued to pray and ask for guidance. I decided not to rely primarily in the doctors or anyone else but to rely solely on my heavenly Father to guide me in my decisions It was then, as I was reading in the Psalms that the answer came. Psalm 119 (Teth) verses 67 and 71. “Before I was afflicted I went astray but now have kept thy word…It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy statutes.” Yes, the answer was there and God was right, my affliction drove me to searching the scriptures and prayer and in doing so, drew me closer to Him. God allowed the affliction so He could be closer to me. So last night I prayed about my tests results and asked my heavenly Father to confirm my healing through them. This morning, the doctor told me that all the tests were normal and whatever had caused the initial episodes of vertigo were gone. It was then I realized what all that gunk coming out of my ears was – my healing taking place. I also realized that it was my fear that caused the anxiety which brought on the dizziness. Yes, the doctor said it could be the blood pressure meds and, perhaps, on occasion, they are the cause, but for me, I know it was more my not trusting God and allowing my fears to control my mind. I know I am healed and there will be no more vertigo. I will deal with my fears and anxiety and will continue to draw closer to my God for I believe He cares for us all. I will rest in the knowledge that He cares for me and, as it says in scripture, “All things work together for good…” and, “In the day that I cried, You answered me and strengthened me in my soul.” And, “I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears.” And, most of all, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding but in all things acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” I know now that it is not just reading and praying that works. It is reading, praying and believing – trusting – that God does hear and answer prayer. You must ask and believe that you have received what you asked for. And, believe me, it works. I have finally learned to practice what I preach. Most of us will say we believe in God but how many of us can say we believe God? In Marley's song, if you believe God’s word and promises, the refrain, “don’t worry ‘bout a thing, because every little thing’s gonna be alright.” Ring true. Peace.