Overnight I received word that a ministry friend from North Carolina had suffered a massive heart attack. He was rushed to the hospital, underwent an immediate quadruple bypass surgery and is recovering.
The amazing part of all this is that, by God’s grace, Terry lived four minutes from one of the top cardiac hospitals in North Carolina. His was actually cardiac surgery #5923 at this facility. His doctor was a believer in Christ, and prayed for Terry’s recovery. He is expected to be back home to continue his recovery by next weekend, just five to seven days from now. THAT utterly blows my mind!
Terry can certainly say today’s verse with joy ….
GOD REMAINS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART
But you and I face heart attacks of a different nature every day. Different but no less severe, no less life threatening. We are attacked by the vile viciousness of this world as it attacks our hope, our vision, our calling and our loved ones. Our hearts are attacked by fear, by hopelessness and by the deliberate plan of the enemy to steal, kill and destroy us.
Hopeless people resort to desperate measures. During the COVID crisis of the last year and a half, the rate of suicides and suicide attempts increased by as much as 50 percent in some populations. Causes cited as driving the increase included feelings of a lack of connectedness, suspected child abuse, substance abuse and various types of family-related problems.
But those who know God do not need to be overwhelmed by the situations which our enemy and life in a fallen world throw at us. He remains the strength of our hearts, and He steps in to provide urgent cardiac care. He is so much closer than four minutes away, too!
GOD REMAINS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART
He has provided for all our needs, He is closer than we can imagine. His people, the community of faith He has gathered around us, can give us strength. His word, the infallible scriptures which instill His life and His strength, are at our fingertips. His Holy Spirit responds to fill us with His strength, empowering us to press on.
GOD REMAINS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART
When the enemy comes in like a flood –
GOD REMAINS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART
When life situations try to wash away my foundations –
GOD REMAINS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART
When the fears assail me and attempt to isolate me –
GOD REMAINS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART
Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
God, His people, His grace all are available to us.
When the heart is attacked, a rapid and focused response is required; for our lives hang in the balance.
When Terry’s wife was driving her beloved to the hospital, she did not consider stopping at the grocery store to pick up eggs on the way. She was focused and determined. She knew that his life was in her hands.
Don’t let heart attacks cripple you , your family or your ministry.
Don’t allow yourself to be isolated.
REMEMBER that help and hope are minutes away.
REMEMBER that God’s people are a key part of your support system.
REMEMBER that His Spirit, His grace and His gifts are available to you.
Oh yes, and remember one more thing ….
GOD REMAINS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART
