For some centuries now, in the Western countries, spirituality has not been taken seriously as a healer of physical ailments. As recently as 1994, only 13% of medical schools offered courses in the link between health and spirituality. But times are officially changing! In 2010, that number went up to 90%, meaning almost every medical school has acknowledge the important role spirituality plays in maintaining a healthy body.

There is a miraculous story about two sisters who used spirituality to heal themselves. To respect their privacy, let’s call the older woman Jennifer and her younger sister Denise.

Jennifer and Denise grew up in a Christian household, though their parents leaned more towards spirituality than strict religion. The girls were smart, but what people most often commented on was their unusually good looks. And it was true, Jennifer and Denise were beautiful girls, both offered modeling contracts at young ages. By any standard, they had lovely, blessed lives.

But life has wild plans of its own, and throws us curve balls when we least expect them. At twenty-five, Jennifer suffered a stroke. Having a stroke at such a young age is almost unheard of, but that was one of the many cards dealt to Jennifer. She survived, but was left with hemiparesis, muscle weakness on her left side. She lost total control of the muscles in the left side of her face, and suffered from chronic pain, muscle paralysis, and seizures. Needless to say she couldn’t continue her job as a model.

Most people would be devastated by this unexpected tragedy, many would become bitter and curse God for doing this to them. But not Jennifer. Although of course she was in no way happy about her new circumstances, she knew with every fiber of her being that everything happens for a reason, including this. She knew that God and the universe wouldn’t do this to her if it wasn’t for a reason, and she began to go about her days optimistically waiting for this reason to be revealed. She went to physical therapy every day, determined to be able to walk on her own and receive relief from her pain, and slowly but surely she regained some control of her body. She prayed every day, asking a higher power for guidance. It was during this time that she met a man, fell in love, and got married. After a few years, surprised doctors told her it would be safe for her to have a baby. So she did.

With a house, a husband, and a newborn baby, Jennifer decided to write a book about how she used faith to heal herself. The book was a big success, and finally she knew why her higher power had let her have a stroke at such a young age: so that she could help other people heal themselves. If she had stayed a model, she most likely wouldn’t have the gift of doing this.

Many years later, her younger sister Denise was still working as a model. One night while driving home, tired after a long day of shooting, she got in a horrendous car wreck that should have killed her. It didn’t kill her or anybody else, but it left her with many broken bones, including her nose and jaw, and knocked out most of her teeth. This is one of the most painful experiences a human can go through (emotionally and physically), but Denise shared her sister’s strong sense of faith. She knew she’d never model again, but she didn’t panic. She decided to live one day at a time: she’d heal first, and then think of a new way to earn a living. With her sister’s help, faith in a higher power, belief in a universal plan, and a desire to get back on her feet, her bones healed and was able to undergo dental surgery. Her face will never look the same, and she will have a severe, permanent limp, but that doesn’t stop her from living life to the fullest. Denise went on to get her degree as a physical therapist, and eventually became a restorative yoga teacher and reiki practitioner.

Now in their forties, both women are still greatly impacted by their past maladies, but they do amazing things for their communities, and are widely recognized and admired for the difference they’ve made in people’s lives. Jennifer and Denise are living examples of how spirituality and faith in something greater than ourselves can take us from great pain and illness back into health and wellness.