But I Cannot Stand the Sight of Blood!

In college, I never considered studying anything related to the health field. After all, I could not stand the sight of blood or even a simple wound.

Instead, I chose to study journalism. I lived in Venezuela, and I wanted to graduate by the time I was twenty. But my dream fell apart after my family and I had to immigrate to the United States of America due to the political issues we faced.

I was almost done with my studies! I had just one semester left to finish, and it hurt so much. However, I was certain I would be able to complete my degree once we were established in our new country. Time flew by, and I just worked and worked and worked. I had a boyfriend, and I built dreams of my future with this guy. But God had another plan, and that dream also fell apart. During my grieving time, I discovered that I had cancer.

I was devastated. Even though I always enjoyed a sincere relationship with God, I realized how much I needed to surrender all to Him. After I told God I was willing to accept His will and do anything He wanted me to do, He reassured me with the promise, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10, KJV). After renewing my relationship with Him, I discovered that He wanted me to be a nurse. “But wait, Lord,” I prayed.

“I cannot stand the sight of blood! Why nursing?” Silence.

“OK, God. I accept Your will, but I need You to give me a stomach that will tolerate anything and the mental capacity to study anatomy, chemistry, pharmacology, and all those difficult subjects.” When I accepted God’s plans for my life, He introduced me to the love of my life, who is a nurse. God has since called him to be a pilot, and to make a long story short, we were married four years ago. God called us to study aviation and nursing at Andrews University in Michigan, United States of America, to prepare us to be missionaries and to introduce our Savior to those who do not know Him. God has given me a strong stomach (and nose) and the capacity to pass my classes with As and Bs. All credit to our awesome, loving God.

How I praise Him! I am now a junior, and I love the health field! God can use “bad” things in life, like a trampoline, to propel us toward His highest dreams.

If He can do that for me, He can do it for you!

Monica Torrealba