The Inner Views of Cindy Oriol

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."
I Peter 4:13
(KJV)

The 

of

Cindy Oriol

Cheryl:  Please tell us about yourself.  

Cindy:  My name is Cindy Oriol. I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. I am the fourth child of six. My family consist of four brothers, one whom is deceased, one sister, and mom and dad. My mother came from a very large family. We were always so close to our relatives. Mom loved to entertain, so we always had company come over for the holidays. She loved to cook for them. I guess that is why I love to be around company. 

During my childhood, you could find me sitting on the bed or in a secret place of the house with a book in my hands. I was drawn to reading either Nancy Drew books or the Hardy Boys mysteries. I also loved reading the Harlequin mysteries.

Who knew that I would grow up to become a Christian author— not me. I am so blessed to have that title, but my true blessing is because I get to write about Jesus and the testimony He has placed upon my soul. 

Cheryl:  How did you first hear about Jesus?

Cindy:  I first heard about Jesus when I was around eight years old. My mother would take my younger siblings and me to church with her every Sunday.

Cheryl:  Who was most influential in leading you to the cross?

Cindy:  I would say she, (my mother), was the most influential person to lead me to the cross.

Cheryl:  Name a special spiritual mentor or prayer warrior in your life who deserves special recognition.

Cindy:  I would have to say my soulmate, John, is my special spiritual mentor who deserves special recognition. He really loves to dig deep into his Bible time and check his commentaries quite often. I always go to him when I don't understand something from the Bible or just genuinely have a question. I feel confident that if he doesn't know the answers, he will keep searching until he does.

Cheryl:  What have the last seven years been like for you?

Cindy:   The last seven years of my life have been and still continue to be a mixture of emotions. I have chronic pain throughout my entire body.

I have felt sadness and was diagnosed with PTSD, caused by all the traumatic experiences I am going through.  Also, I grieved when I had to stop taking care of my patients. I was a certified nursing assistant for thirty-five years, working in nursing homes, hospitals, homes of my patients, and at one time, I worked for hospice, caring for the dying. I never really called it a career—my clients were my second family. They loved the professional, loving, caring way I took care of their loved ones. One family called me their daughter..

Angry because when all of my storms began I felt cheated out of my life with John. We had made so many plans to go on mission trips together for the Lord. We were able to go on six of them for which we really were blessed, but we didn't want to be finished just yet. We felt we still had work to do for Him but my health and his started to go downhill.

Joy of just knowing, serving, and loving the Lord and watching Him in our lives and others. To me, there is no greater joy than to be used as a vessel to further His kingdom. 

Loved from Jesus, my family, and prayer warriors. I have received so many loving, spiritual cards and phone calls from them. Some have even prayed over the phone for me.

On fire for the Lord. I know that part of the journey is over for me because of my health, but I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for the Lord. I love how He continues to use me in ways I would have never thought—becoming an author for example.

I have endured in the last seven years being in a wheelchair for a year caused from a life-changing injury. Because of the horrific pain, I begged the Lord to take me home with Him. I was ready to throw in the towel but neither He nor John would let me. I was going out of my head with having so much pain. Later, I was diagnosed with having pancreatic cancer of which He has completely cured me. A year later I suffered minimal side effects from having had a stroke. He has cured me from the side effects. I have a malfunction of my brain-neurons that aren't connecting properly not connected to the stroke. They are caused from trauma. I  have many attacks that mimic seizures. I might start slapping my head, pounding on the table, etc. My shaking is out of control, and I usually fall down . There is no cure for them. Later, I was  diagnosed with breast cancer. Because of the very aggressive chemo therapy, I now have neuropathy in both my feet and hands, plus several other health issues, including Fibromyalgia, Sciatica, and Piriformis Syndrome, which are very painful.

Cheryl:  During such storms of life, what do you identify as being one of the most hopeless times?  How did your faith in God pull you through and sustain you?

Cindy:  I think one of the most hopeless times during my storms would have to be the not knowing how I was ever going to serve the Lord again. In the past before the wheelchair came into place, I used to go and visit my friends and family members to share the Lord's words with them anytime I could and now I wasn't able to drive anywhere because of the horrific pain radiating—what seemed like fire shooting within  my body. 

One day, while I was praying, asking Him how could I begin to serve Him again, I heard the sweet sound of the Holy Spirit whisper in my ear, "prayer scarves." He told me to give them to whoever was in need of one. I asked the ones that would be receiving one, "what two colors are your favorite?" The feedback was inspiring as they would tell me, "You don't know what this means to me. Thank you very much." I heard feedback from a lady that was going through a really rough day of chemo and needed some encouragement.  I would tell them that it was the Lord, that deserved all of the glory, honor, and praise.

Cheryl:  To the reader who is now walking through overwhelming difficulties, what would you like to say?

Cindy:  I would tell the reader who is going through their storms to hold tight to Jesus and never let go. I would say to them, "No matter what adversities we may encounter here on earth, as long as we hold tight to Jesus, we can make it through anything. I would tell them to lay all of their burdens at the feet of the cross and never take them back because once you do that, you will have peace that comes from Jesus. I would share with them this saying that is really helping me through my storms—TESTS+TRIALS=TESTIMONIES.

Cheryl:  What are some of the most meaningful ways others have reached out to you through your trials?  What gestures of kindness made the most difference?  

Cindy:  Some of the most meaningful ways others have reached out to me through my trials are John buys me flowers and is constantly telling me he loves me and he is so proud of how I am not letting these diagnoses steal my joy away from Jesus.

He has shown me in so many ways. While I am having the seizures and falling down, he is right by my side, helping me to get through them by constantly telling me he loves me and that I am all right. Family members have called and came for visits to brighten up my day. We have a large body of brothers and sisters in Christ in our Sunday school group that send me cards with beautiful scriptures written on them. They really help keep my faith strong. Several of them have come to visit and bring us food. A few have taken me out to lunch, just to help make my day brighter.

I have been anointed several times by the elders of the church.

Cheryl:  What are the three most impactful life lessons you have learned through your suffering?

Cindy:  Three most impactful life lessons I have learned through my storms are—

• It's not about me. It's all about Him. He is the one who deserves all the glory, honor, and praise—not I. 
• If Christ could suffer, bleed, and die for me on the cross, then surely I can suffer for Him through these storms. 
• Walking through the valley with Jesus, as He carries me through each storm, He is teaching me lessons about faith, has totally changed my prayer walk, and my faith continues to grow immensely each day. I know that He will continue to carry me through the storms. In His loving arms, I am held.

Cheryl:  How have your trials enabled you to be more empathetic and compassionate to others?

Cindy:  I always was and still am a very compassionate person with a love for everyone. The Lord has given me such a kind heart toward others. I love to hug, pray, and share kindness to make others feel good about themselves. For example, I love to walk in a store, and when I see a woman looking very nice in her outfit, I tell her how pretty she looks. I want people to be treated the way I want people to treat me. Because of the intensity of my suffering, I get a glimpse of what my patients have gone through. It makes me love them even more.

Cheryl:  What is lacking most among the body of Christ, in your opinion?

Cindy:  Churches are being divided/separated by ethnic and racial boundaries— no real brotherly love.

Cheryl:  Please tell us about your book, "Having Joy in the Midst of the Storm."

Cindy:  "Having Joy in the Midst of the Storm" is about an individual woman, me, who has and still am suffering from many storms. Health issues of being in a wheelchair for a year, two different types of cancer, a stroke, seizures, and several more. With the help of the Lord, I want to encourage and inspire others while they are going through storms of their own. I want my readers to know that they aren't alone, and Jesus will carry you through the storms as He is doing for me.

I take you on a journey, as He and I are walking hand in hand and He carries me through the valley and whispers to me in such a gentle voice, "I've got you." I show in my book that everyone of us has a story to tell. We just need to be bold enough to write it and share it with each other. Something special I want my readers to know is that He already knows all of our burdens before we ever go to Him in prayer, and He will either take them away completely or make them lighter.

Cheryl:  What inspired you to write about your difficult journey?

Cindy:  My brother had been approaching me off and on to write a book. He told me that I had a story to share with others and they needed to read it.  So a few years later he approached me again, but this time I also heard the Spirit of the Lord whisper so gently in my ear, "You and I are going to write a book together to encourage and inspire others while they are going through their own storms in life." This book is my shining testimonial given to me from the Lord. I had to share my ups and downs with my readers while travelling through my journey. I want to show them that with the help of the Lord we can do anything. Others can see my faith in this book, in my actions, and in my speeches. I want others to trust in the Lord completely as I do, and that is how the inspirational book "Having Joy in the Midst of the Storm" was written.

Cheryl:  What has the publishing process been like for you?  Please share any advice you would like to give to aspiring authors who are new to the prospect of publishing.

Cindy:  My publishing company, Westbow Press, has shown me nothing but kindness. Anytime I had a question, they would answer it immediately. They have allowed me to play a big part in all of the decision-making. I was ecstatic that I was able to design my own cover. I told them how I wanted it to look— a raging storm out in the carribbean, green sea. It was so beautiful that when I saw it for the very fist time, I cried—not just a cry, but a loud boo-hoo.

Cheryl:  How can we order your book?

Cindy:  My readers can order my book from WestBow Press, Walmart, Christian Book Distributors, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.  My interview can be found HERE.  I have also written sixteen articles about different sections of the book on Linkedin.

Cheryl:  Tell us about the people you love most.

Cindy:  First and foremost, I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and the rest of the Trinity. Some of the people I love the most are John and our entire family, including our precious Shih Tzu, Beau. He has brought so much joy to John and me. I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am a people pleaser, so I don't know a stranger.

Cheryl:  What are some of your favorite things to do on an ordinary day?

Cindy:  I love to read my Bible and devotions. I am on the Linkedin Business website, and I enjoy talking to my 554 contacts and helping them to promote their businesses while sharing their links to my other contacts. John and I spend a lot of time together watching TV or going for a ride out in the country with Beau, of course. Every now and then, I love to bring out my crocheting needles.

Cheryl:  Are there favorite sources of encouragement you would like to share with us?  (Favorite Scripture verses/passages, favorite songs that helped keep you going in the darkest places, favorite books/authors/music artists, etc.)

Cindy:  My favorite sources of encouragement are the Bible and my devotions.

• "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
• "Be still and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:10
• "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you,.plans  to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I love to listen to my Christian music, such as Here's my Heart, Lord by Lauren Daigle, and I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me, and—

Who You Say I Am by Hillsong

All of these sources help to keep me grounded in my faith.

Cheryl:  Who in the Bible do you most identify with?

Cindy:  Talking it over with John, we have decided that I most identify with Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, because Mary was the one who washed the feet of Jesus at her home. She took a pound of expensive ointment and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped them dry with her hair. I, too, love Jesus with all of my heart, as Mary did. At one part of my life, I was able to wash the feet of others in His most precious name. She didn't care how expensive the cost of the perfume—she just wanted to show her love for Him. I am the same way. No matter what the cost of the storms I have to endure, as long as He is getting all of the glory, honor, and praise, then I would gladly do it all over again. Mary loves the Lord and isn't afraid to show it, and neither am I.

Cheryl:  How can we pray for you?

Cindy:  I need prayer that the flood gates of Heaven will open and I will be able to share my testimony in speaking engagements, that my readers and sales will grow, and that others will be encouraged from my faith. I am on fire for the Lord, and I want others to see it.

Physically-I am in chronic pain daily, and I have seizures. Last week alone, I had 49 of them. I am worn out, and Satan tries to pull me under, telling his nasty lies, like " The Lord doesn't love you" and "Look how long you have been suffering." I tell him,"Get behind me Satan. I'll stomp on you in the blood of Jesus."

On March 24, 2020, I am going to the Cleveland clinic to see if they can help me with my seizures. Please pray that this doctor will listen to me and be kind to both John and me, and we will finally be able to get to the bottom of them.

Cheryl:  What would you like to say, in closing?

Cindy:  When your life breaks apart, hold tight, and don't let go of Jesus as He carries you through the storms. The storms of life put us all in periods of indecision, loneliness, pain, and even a sense of defeat. The question confronting us is, "How do we deal and face these storms?" This is how I deal with them—humbled, grateful, and inspired.  I surrender to Jesus' healing, grace, and mercy.  I share my personal story of crisis and rescue as I crawled to the foot of the cross and gave all of my suffering to the Lord.

Do you need a miracle? Are you looking for consolation? Do you feel lost and hopeless? I have been there and still am. This book will show you that Jesus is waiting to hold you in His loving arms as He carries you through the storms of life and works miracles for you just as He continues to do for me and all other believers in Him.

It has been pure joy and an honor to be used by Him. For Him to have chosen me because He knew that through the guidance of the Holy Spirit I would withstand the storms and give Him all the glory means the world to me. There is no greater honor than to be used by Him as a vessel to help further His kingdom. My readers, I pray that if you ever have to make decisions such as the ones I have had to make, the very first thing you do is to talk to the Lord, cry out to Him, and then listen to what He says. He will tell you what to do as He has done in my life. During your journey in the valley with the Lord, grab His hand as Satan throws another wave at you. As storms came crashing over me, I was surrounded by His grace, my Rock, and my Healer.

I do not know what tomorrow will bring. I do not even try to ponder on it because I know who holds my hand. I know that I will be completely healed when I get to Heaven.

But until then—"I WILL PRAISE HIM IN THE STORM."

Thank you, Cindy, for sharing your heart with us here!  I pray that God will lay His healing hand upon you, grant you relief from pain, and richly enhance your realm of ministry for Him!

To order Cindy's book, 

"Having Joy in the Midst of the Storm," click HERE!

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