Imagine finding out that your husband had cheated on you. Then, you discover that not only was he unfaithful, but in the process he contracted HIV. Understandably you would be devastated with just knowing he’d been unfaithful, but to be issued a death sentence on top of that? A consequence you suffer because of his betrayal.
This is Edengwa’s story. She not only lost her husband to infidelity, but was given HIV in the process.
Now, what makes her story so powerful is that getting HIV ended up being one of the best things to ever have happen to her. It’s not often that you come across someone who celebrates being diagnosed with a life threatening disease, for obvious reasons. In fact, our response is often quite the opposite. We immediately think, “why me? What have I done to deserve this?”. Joy is the furthest thing from our minds, even more so in a scenario like this, where you received the illness through no fault of you own!
So what is it that made Edengwa so thankful for HIV?
Here’s her story
What makes Edengwa’s story so powerful isn’t that she is living with HIV, but rather that she has used her condition to help others. HIV has given her opportunities that she previously wouldn’t have had. She has taken a negative situation and turned it into something positive. She has found purpose and joy in the most unlikely of places.
It is easy to be thankful when everything is going your way, but to still be thankful in the darkest of times is something very unique. How is it possible to have joy, even in hard times?
The secret is in knowing that even in those hard times, you are not alone and that there is still a plan for your life.
God is always with us, no matter where we go, no matter what situation we may find ourselves in. He loves us unconditionally and craves to have a relationship with us. That’s why we can be so thankful, because no matter what happens, we know he is by our side.
If you would like to find out more about God, or would just like to chat, please send us a message.