“For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us.”

2 Corinthians 1:8-10

I have often heard it said that God will never place upon us more than we can bear. I have a difficult time aligning that teaching with the words of Paul quoted above. Listen again to these very sobering words: “that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.” It sounds to me that Paul was burdened down with more, much more, than he could handle on his own.

There are some who can surely relate to these words of the apostle. My wife, Teresa, recently suffered a medical emergency that, at the point of crisis, caused us to despair. Early on Sunday morning, September 27, I was awakened by Teresa as she suffered a massive grand mal seizure. She shook violently for several minutes. Our daughter immediately called 911 while I tried without success to help Teresa. The police arrived in a matter or minutes, but before they were on the scene Teresa quit convulsing and was deathly still. So still, in fact, that I was afraid she was dead. I could not feel a pulse, nor could I detect breathing. I lifted her arm and it fell to the bed, seemingly lifelessly.

When the police officers arrived, they quickly began checking for a pulse and for respiration. One officer finally detected a faint pulse about the time the paramedics arrived. They quickly assessed the situation, transferred Teresa to the stretcher, and moved her to the emergency vehicle.

Needless to say, at this time I was at a point of despair. Watching the love of my life convulse so viciously, and then go completely still caused me to think the worse. I’m not sure why we do that, but so often our minds go to the worse case scenario rather than to one of hope. It was at this time that I experienced personally and powerfully the amazing grace of God. I have oftentimes shared with individuals going through times of extreme adversity that God, in HIs grace, extends to us what I refer to as spiritual anesthesia. God’s grace protects us from feeling the full brunt of the trauma. I had shared that with so many, but now I have experienced it first-hand. There was a wave of peace that engulfed me. I realized that God was in full control, and that His will is always best, regardless of how it might appear to us.

That experience on September 27 was the beginning of a month long journey of hospital stays and a plethora of tests. After two nights in the hospital as a result of the seizure, Teresa was then hospitalized a second time for five days due to heart issues that occurred the next week. After brain scans, MRI’s, X-rays, endoscopy, EKG’s, EEG’s, it was finally determined that the seizure and the heart issues were all caused by an electrolyte deficiency. Teresa continues to recover from the trauma of these health issues, for which we are grateful to our Father in heaven.

But why? Why did God allow Teresa to go through this ordeal? Is there any word from God as to His intent in allowing His children to suffer? Well, actually there is. And, it is found in this same opening chapter of 2 Corinthians. Read carefully the following quote:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

God allows us to go through certain experiences, and then wants us to minister to those who are suffering the same type of difficulty. Who better can minister to a person fighting a battle with cancer than someone who has already walked that path? Who can better minister to someone who has a wayward child, who is fighting depression, who is experiencing family or financial troubles, who is going through one of any number of other difficulties, than one who has already been through that same problem? And let’s always remember: God works in all things for the good of those who love Him. It may appear to be anything but good, but God works in it to bring about good. So, as Paul admonishes his readers, let’s give thanks in all things and for all things, because this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

And, we should remember also that we are God’s personal possession. He has sovereign control over all that happens, and will bring circumstances into our personal experiences that fit into His divine will. Our goal is to bring glory to God in everything by allowing His grace to be on display through us.

Let me close with a word of thanks for all the text messages, phone calls, and especially the prayers during this time in our lives. We are eternally grateful for the many expressions of love shown to us.