Don't give up on God!

    Robyn was on the way to the hospital in an ambulance fighting for her life. Doctors realised that she had several blood clots in her lungs and a large one in her heart. On the way to the hospital her husband, Phillip, a former pastor, prayed but felt as if God was not listening to him. Whatever he prayed for, the opposite seemed to happen. At the hospital, doctors got themselves ready to remove the clot in her heart. Unfortunately, by the time she got to the hospital, it had moved to her lungs. When her husband got to the hospital, she told him what had happened. The next thing he knew, she was going into cardiac arrest. The medical team made desperate efforts to remove the clot. 
    While waiting, Phillip prayed. He couldn’t picture his life without his wife. He asked God to show him if there was anything in his heart that he needed to get out of the way. The Holy Spirit asked him if he would give up on Him if He chose not to bring her back. He admitted it would not be easy but he promised Him that he would do his best to keep pressing on, that he would not give up on Him. He would keep standing, he would keep testifying, he would keep preaching. After he said that, he experienced a strange calm. 
    During this time, Robyn had coded and had been without a heartbeat for fifteen minutes. She found herself standing in front of Jesus. She felt awe, joy, peace. It was so bright she could not see His face. Jesus turned towards a particular dark place and He said, “Okay Satan show me what you think you’re going to do.” He went on further to say, “I Am is going to show you what I Am is going to do.” And Jesus breathed a breath and that breath went into Robyn and filled her lungs. Her body raised on the table at the hospital and they knew she was back. 
    Her heart and lungs began functioning again. The doctor expressed concern about possible damage to her brain. However, Robyn made a complete recovery and went home a week later.  
​    A few things caught my attention with this testimony. Phillip was crying out to God. He did not think he could go on without his wife. Yet, when Jesus asked him if he would give up on Him if He decided not to bring his wife back, Phillip affirmed that he would not give up on his God. After declaring that, he felt a strange peace. 
    For the past month I have been talking about God being a God of peace. It is interesting that when we fully surrender that fearful situation to Him, when we even surrender our desire for the outcome to Him, He gives us a peace that makes no sense. The problem may not have changed but we do in the midst of the trial. It’s about trusting God even though the outcome might not be what we would like. 
    While writing this post, after hearing Phillip’s response to God, I told God honestly, “Where would I go?” It was a legitimate rhetorical question  because if God is with me in the storm and giving me the strength I need to go through it, if things don’t work out the way I would like, why turn anywhere else? Who else could I turn to who would give me the peace and strength He provides. Who else would be able to sustain me like He does? Who else would help me both survive and thrive in the midst of a negative situation. For me, I agree with Phillip. I would keep serving God because nothing else would make sense. 
    When Job lost everything, even the support of family and friends, he worshipped God, he did not turn his back on Him. When David went through trial after trial, he never gave up on his God. When God told Abraham to sacrifice his only promised son, he chose obedience to God, thus choosing God over trying to keep his son alive. At the end of the day, our peace comes from knowing that our God is with us in both the good times and bad. He will never fail us, He will never abandon us, He is always there no matter what we may face. Giving up on God is not an option. The peace we so desperately need is all wrapped up in Him!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. The reality is we need God like we need air to breathe. Turning our back on Him is not an option. He is our everything and we are nothing and can do nothing without Him!

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