Power in the Middle of a Problem

Eleanor Becker
Aug 1, 2018
5 min read

Updated: Aug 8, 2018

Are you at the end of your rope? Does it seem as if darkness is closing in on you? Bad news may have spoiled your day in the middle of your already busy life. You may suffer secret pain perfectly covered up with accomplishments and smiles. I have you on my heart today, letting you know that your problems are not bigger than the power you have to get through it.

You are stronger than you think.

You can stretch further than you know. You have everything you need to live through and beyond your immediate circumstances.

Below is an excerpt from BURNED and UNBROKEN, my new book that will be available soon. It tells how Hennie survived an 80% fire burn to his body—the recounting of our journey in, through, and beyond our worst day. We have hindsight now, something you may not have at this time. We know there is a way out of the darkest valley because we have walked it. So hold on, don’t give up, you can do this!

From the book, BURNED and UNBROKEN:

GRACE CAME

Revisiting the details and telling the story afterward are in some ways worse than going through it because, during this horrible nightmare, I was experiencing God’s grace in a very supernatural way. I find the experience hard to explain. The best way I know how to describe God’s grace was the feeling of being covered with a warm blanket on a very chilly night. I remember literally feeling the presence and grace of God settling down on and around me in that police car on the way to the hospital. That unforgettable moment will always be one of my miracles in life. I did not choose what to think and feel at the time, but I knew God had overshadowed me with great grace and comfort. I was keenly aware of God’s grace enfolding me.

I remember talking to the police officer in the car on our way to the hospital. I told him that should my husband die that day he was ready to face God. “He will be in heaven, and I have peace in the knowledge that I have loved him the best I knew how. I have no regrets.” I am not sure where I found the strength to say all that I said, but I now know that my clarity was totally within the grace of God. With God’s grace also comes an uncanny boldness, so I started questioning the officer about his life and what if he had been the one who was facing death and eternity.

I wasn’t sure what he was thinking about my interrogation, but I didn’t care one iota because my husband was dying, and I had nothing more to lose. So I asked, “While we are facing death here, what about you, Mr. Officer? Are you ready to meet God?”

I cannot remember his response—quite possibly there was none. I have prayed for that police officer over the years, and I have trusted God to deal with his heart in the event he was not ready to meet Him. A bold and fighting spirit came over me during that ride to the hospital; God knew I would need it for what was ahead.

My utter joy that Hennie was still alive upon our arrival at the ER was short-lived when I rushed to him and saw the condition of his body. The once-flawless skin on that previously athletic and perfect body looked like it had simply been ripped off, leaving charred skin smelling of death hanging in shreds. The third-degree burns he had suffered had swallowed up all the layers of his skin and even the muscle tissue in some areas. Other parts of his body had suffered second-degree burns and what was left of his skin was primarily singed and scorched.

Can it get any worse? Yes, death would be worse. What is worse though—dying or living in a hell like this? This feels like death still breathing!

Once again the grace of God kicked in and rescued me from completely falling apart at the sight and revolting smell of my beloved’s body. Hennie, on the other hand, was in a place I don’t think anyone could describe. According to the doctors, he was dying with little-to-no chance of survival. Suddenly trapped in a severely burned body, he had no way of escape. The torment and agony he was suffering was beyond human comprehension; his whole world had closed in on him. The seconds in every minute he was still alive became shorter as each and every breath he was still able to take grew weaker.

Wow, reading all this may leave you feeling pretty sad, right? The book is not all sad, as a matter of fact, it contains many miracles, celebrating the light and love that shone through the dark clouds that wanted to entrap us.

It was a horrible time, but thank God, not the end of the story!

God gave us a beautiful life beyond the pain as we raised our family, loved other people, and lived out our dreams we thought we’d lost. We have gained so much in experiencing the power of God in our weakness and now we live grateful for every good moment life gives us each day. Life is good. God restores. He makes everything beautiful in His time! You also can find hope in your disappointment.

In every area of brokenness, you can live unbroken again.

You may have scars, but the wounds will heal. There is a point of light in every dark day. Even when things seem to get worse, hold on, it will all pass.

In the mean time . . .

Don’t live in fear of getting hurt again
If you cannot walk another step, just stand
When you cannot see your dreams, stand tall, they are still there
Stretch just a little more than you thought you could
Allow others to love you, avoid those who drag you down

Most of all, call out to God. He is not far. He is not unfamiliar with your life. He is the only Power in the middle of your pain that can heal and restore you to more than before. He loves you!