Guest Post by Natalie Venegas | Milk & honey Faith
Have you ever been met with devastating news?
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28 NLT)
I got out of bed extra early on Thursday, November 24th of 2016. It was Thanksgiving morning.
I didn’t get up with the usual enthusiasm I had in previous years as I wasn’t looking forward to preparing the Turkey. This morning I was preoccupied with my 19-year-old son. He had been sick the day before and was weak from vomiting.
I was convinced that it was a stomach bug. After all it had been flu season and many people were feeling under the weather. All night I had tossed and turned knowing in my gut that if he did not wake up feeling better then we would have to spend Thanksgiving morning in the ER. I prayed throughout the night that he would be healed from what was ailing him. I needed God to intervene.
I headed to his room as soon as I rose. I hoped to hear his spunky voice tell me that he was all better, that I could start cooking, and that he was hungry. But alas, my hope faded as I saw his pasty grey skin and dreary eyes. His abdomen was hurting and he still felt nauseous.
It was then that his father and I decided that we would take him to the hospital.
The more I tried to persuade myself that everything would be fine and that all he needed was some fluids, the more panic seemed to rise within me. A silent alarm was going off. I was seeing death on him and the more I tried to convince myself, the stronger the warning got.
Devastating News
We were no-sooner admitted to the ER, when within a matter of minutes we were being given a most likely diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes and immediate admittance into the ICU.
My blood rushed from my face at the mention of the ICU. Intensive. Care. Unit. This was serious.
I excused myself into the hallway and prayed. I don’t remember the specifics but I remember praying for strength. Strength for the unknown that not only my son was going to endure but what we would experience as a family. I prayed for the help I so surely needed. I prayed as tears welled up in my eyes and my heart pounded in my chest.
What were our lives going to look like now?
Our New Normal
That Thanksgiving admittance was followed up with 3 days in the ICU. During those days I was confronted with having a child that could only be fed intravenously as the hospital staff worked to reduce his blood sugar and reverse the DKA (diabetic keto-acidosis).
We had a flood of Doctors and Nurses who explained what our new normal would look like.
According to the experts, our new lives would be anything but easy. My stomach turned at the flood of new information. My son now needed insulin to survive and had to test his blood sugar several times a day. My mind raced at the prospect of inserting needles into his skin and what our medical bills would look like from now on.
The waves may crash around us, but the Lord is our solid unwavering foundation. #Trials #BadNews #OurRock via @milkandhoneyfth Share on XWith each doctor visit my heart sunk as my son listened to this sentence being placed on his life. The news was devastating. His face fell at the realization that life would look drastically different then what it had been just a few days prior
And yet, hope remained.
God Still Remained Ever Present
My son insisted that the blinds remain closed so that he could rest. His body was weak and he was so tired.
In those quiet moments when it was him and I in the room, I prayed. I prayed for healing over him and a comfort that only Jesus could provide. I prayed for peace within that hospital room and for everyone who entered.
As the IV dripped and the heart monitor beeped, I was keenly aware of the presence of God. There was a peace that surpassed all understanding. When everything around me echoed panic, peace flooded my heart. There was an understanding that I had no control over the outcome of my son’s health, but God did.
When devastating news threatens to shatter lives, Jesus promises hope and rescues us. #StoriesOfHope #BadNews #Faith via @milkandhoneyfth Share on XHe would get us through. He would be our strength. The Lord would give us the insight and understanding to grasp this new way of living. It wasn’t a death sentence. It was another chance at life.
My son’s life could have ended that day, but God had showed up. While his rescue resulted in less than convenient circumstances we had to embrace them as what they truly were, steps toward new life.
I had to trust that God was working this out for our ultimate good. My son’s and ours. With that trust comes unwavering faith. Faith that’s resolute, solid, and founded on the Lord’s promises to us.
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” (Hebrews 10:23 NLT)
One of His promises are that this will be used for good. I had to hold fast to that truth and stand on it even if I didn’t understand it at the moment. Even in the midst of such devastating news.
Making a Choice
There were two choices I was faced with that day. A choice to wallow in despair and fear the future OR to TRUST without wavering that God will make good of the situation.
I chose the latter. I continue to choose the latter.
God is our Provider. He is Yaweh-Yireh. Since the devastating news received that day, God has shown up faithfully and provided for our every need.
All the worrying in the world would not have changed a thing for our family. Praying and asking the Lord to provide (and trusting Him to do it) has been the answer all along. He has shown us just how faithful He is and it took us going through something this hard to reveal His sovereignty in our lives.
True, everyday is still a battle for my son’s health. However we have the Lord fighting for us, preparing us, and guiding us every step of the way. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Are You Facing Devastating News?
At one point or another we are each faced with life-altering news.. Whether it be a health diagnosis, a loss of a loved one, job loss, etc. each one of those scenarios can administer a heavy blow. There are many more that I haven’t listed but that doesn’t mean they are any less traumatic.
I know what it is to not be able to comprehend what your new future will look like. Can I pray with you as you face this battle?
Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father,
You are a good and faithful Father and you sent your Son who felt every kind of pain that we suffer here on this Earth. Jesus you know what it was to tremble with fear and to cry in pain. Father, there are many moments in our lives that don’t quite make sense to our human minds but God we ask that you help us to be kingdom-minded. Help our hearts and minds to dwell on the things above as you work out the situations that occur in our daily lives. We ask you Lord to carry the burden for us and to give us a continued hope and future. We long for a day when pain and tears are no more, but until that day we ask you to provide the strength to move forward and persevere. Answer our cries Lord and do a work for your children as we praise you in the valley. Give us the peace that surpasses all understanding.
In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV)
To view all of the topics in this series, check out our Stories of Hope page, and discover how others have chosen to live a life of hope, despite life’s greatest challenges!
Meet Natalie!
Natalie Venegas is a married mother of two who is devoted to her King. She has a heart for the new believer and writes about the transformative power of Christ on her blog Milk & Honey Faith.
When she isn’t reading or writing she can be found spending her time with her family, sipping on coffee, or daydreaming about the sea.
You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & Pinterest.
Let’s Link Arms by Linking Up!
- Linkup 1-2 inspiring, family-friendly, posts using the Inlinkz tool below.
- Visit the link directly in front of you, leave a comment and share/pin their post.
- PRAY for the person directly in front of you!!
So thankful, Natalie, that you listened to your mum-gut and made that trip to Emergency!
May God continue to strengthen you and give you courage for the journey of walking with a diabetic child. Thank you for sharing your story as an encouragement to so many others.
I promised Dr Kala to share to the entire public if he could help me to get my ex wife back which prompted me to write this beautiful testimony for the amazing things Dr Kala did for me by getting my ex wife back to me after she filed for a divorce. I love my wife so much and i could not accept the fact that i am loosing her, so i went into research to get some tips on how i could get my wife back and i saw a comment on one of the forum, a lady testifying how she was able to get her ex back by reaching out to Dr Kala and i also contact Dr Kala on email and explain my problem to him and he helped me to get my wife back within 2days and my wife stopped the divorce and return back to me, promising me that she will never leave me again and also beg me to forgive her which i did and right now i am enjoying my marriage and all thanks to Dr Kala the great spell caster who is capable of bringing back ex lover and put an end to your divorce, marriage and relationship problems. You can as well reach out to Dr Kala on email: kalalovespell@gmail.com or WhatsApp +2347051705853
.
this is the best spell caster i know He cast spells for different purposes like(1) If you want your ex back.
(2) if you always have bad dream
(3) You want to be promoted in your office.
(4) You want women/men to run after you.
(5) If you want a child.
(6) You want to be rich.
(7) You want to tie your husband/wife to be yours forever.
(8) If you need financial assistance.
(9) HIV/AIDS CURE
(10) is the only answer to that your problem of winning the lottery
Contact him today on oseremenspelltemple@gmail.com
I just want the whole world to know about this spell caster I met two weeks ago,I cannot say everything he has done for me and my family I was going through online when I meant this wonderful man’s testimony online how he won a lottery through the help of dr Ose I decided to just give it a try and my life is back to me now after i lost my job due to covid he gave me a winning numbers to play lottery and i won 5000usd for my first play since then i have been working with him and he has been giving me numbers to play my lottery i can not write everything he has done for me if you need a lottery spell today contact him on oseremenspelltemple@gmail.com www.facebook.com/Dr-odion-spell-temple-110513923938220
whatsapp +2348136482342
I so appreciated this post. It is so true – the lessons we learn in the midst of difficulties end up being so precious as they reveal the faithfulness, grace and mercy of God in our lives. Beautiful and encouraging post!
Oh, how scary this must have been! I find myself stuck thinking about how you prayed for your son. And how I wait to pray deeply for my own kids until something is wrong. I want to be in prayer for them with that same fervent heart everyday!
I have been in the same position of having to choose to trust when my son was being rushed to the hospital in an ambulance after what seemed to be a minor accident in the playroom. We feared the worst – a neck/spinal injury. (Praise the Lord. Our son was fine.) Oh, what a battle it is to fix our thoughts on what we know to be true of God and what we’ve learned in His Word. Our circumstances seem more real in those moments than the Truth of Who God is. But, oh! how faithful He is! The presence of His Spirit has a sustaining power that cannot be explained. Thank you for sharing this story and reminding me of that scary day and how the Lord ministered to my heart.
God is faithful. He does not promise us an easy life, as your son, unfortunately found out, but He does promise to be with us always. It isn’t always easy to see that in times of trouble,but we have faith. Thank goodness you listened to your instincts and took your son to the hospital!
What a scary experience. But I love Natalie and am so glad to see her story here. laurensparks.net
Hope and faith in the midst of devastating news can only come from the Lord. What a scary experience you had but one you will never forget because by His Grace and mercy , our Jireh was there for you and your boy.
At 26 weeks when I was told I have to deliver my triplets via emergency c-section, all i had was HOPE. Hope that my God will supply all my needs. As I saw my little ones wheeled away quickly to the Neonatal ICU(NICU) without getting any glimpse. I ,too, prayed.
God honors those who honors HIM.
I am so glad that these journeys brought us together, Natalie.
Thank you Rachel for your friendship
Love Natalie! I learn most when things are worst. Bless you
We have to keep choosing God, over and over – especially when it’s challenging – and know that His faithfulness will prevail as it always does. Trusting in those moments can be so tough, but it’s always worth it. Thank you for sharing this powerful story – and I can’t begin to imagine how terrifying it must have been – but a powerful lesson for us all was planted amidst these events.
God’s ability to turn our pain into something beautiful is amazing!
x Anastasia | MightyMemos.com
God is so faithful when devastating news comes. Thank you for this reminder and for your vulnerability. Praising God for His hand in your life today.
So grateful for this powerful post and testimony! Your faith through trying times is SUCH an encouragement, Natalie!! <3
I love the descriptions of your prayers during your devastating time. My mind has shut down during each of my own devastating times, and all I could pray was “Jesus. please.”
Oh, Natalie, during those devastating times aren’t we blessed to have Jesus? I don’t know where I’d be without Him? So grateful He gave you the faith to believe during the worst times.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Blessings,
Tammy
Hi, did you know there are spells to win love back from an ex. I have done it. I love reading about relationships and how to make them work, how to better the relationship, and how to keep the spark alive, even how to talk to them a certain way to get them to think a different way about the situation and you. If you need advice or want to win your ex back, try DR EMU copy and message on the following ( Email: emutemple@gmail.com ) or ( WhatsApp: +2347012841542 ) It will change your mentality and get you what you want.
I promised Dr Kala to share to the entire public if he could help me to get my ex wife back which prompted me to write this beautiful testimony for the amazing things Dr Kala did for me by getting my ex wife back to me after she filed for a divorce. I love my wife so much and i could not accept the fact that i am loosing her, so i went into research to get some tips on how i could get my wife back and i saw a comment on one of the forum, a lady testifying how she was able to get her ex back by reaching out to Dr Kala and i also contact Dr Kala on email and explain my problem to him and he helped me to get my wife back within 2days and my wife stopped the divorce and return back to me, promising me that she will never leave me again and also beg me to forgive her which i did and right now i am enjoying my marriage and all thanks to Dr Kala the great spell caster who is capable of bringing back ex lover and put an end to your divorce, marriage and relationship problems. You can as well reach out to Dr Kala on email: kalalovespell@gmail.com or WhatsApp +2347051705853
this is the best spell caster i know He cast spells for different purposes like
(1) If you want your ex back.
(2) if you always have bad dream
(3) You want to be promoted in your office.
(4) You want women/men to run after you.
(5) If you want a child.
(6) You want to be rich.
(7) You want to tie your husband/wife to be yours forever.
(8) If you need financial assistance.
(9) HIV/AIDS CURE
(10) is the only answer to that your problem of winning the lottery
Contact him today on oseremenspelltemple@gmail.com
Are you in need of help to get your ex back and stop your divorce? I urge you not to cry no more for Dr Kala is the solution to your problem. Dr Kala is a powerful love spell caster who helps in getting ex back and stop divorce. He helped me to get my ex husband back after separation. My Husband packed out to live with his mistress and he sent me divorce papers. I tried all I could to get him back but he refused to return home and I suspected the lady used some magic spell on him to hold him down. I got to know about Dr Kala in a youtube comment where i was looking for help to get my husband back and i contacted him and explain my problem to him and he did the work and my husband return back home after 2 days and he apologies for the pains he put me through and we are living happily together again for good. If you need his help to get your ex back and stop divorce, You can contact Dr Kala on Email: kalalovespell@gmail.com or WhatsApp +2347051705853 . I will continue sharing this testimony to every platform/blogs so that whoever needs to get his/her ex back should contact Dr Kala and he will help you to get your ex back and put an end to your ongoing divorce case.
I and my wife had a misunderstanding which led to a huge fight and she left home and returned back to her fathers house. I let my emotions got the best of me and stayed permanently away from her. Things grew worse when she started seeing another man and I never knew about it. I tried fixing the problem and getting her to return back home and she never came back. I later found out all that has been going on and decided to seek help to fix my marriage with her which made me contact Dr Isikolo. Just as expected he worked for me and the problem was fixed and I am reunited with my wife. She returned back home just after 48 hours as promised by Dr Isikolo. I am forever indebted to him for fixing the problem I had in my marriage. kindly contact him for fast and urgent Help, call/text him on WhatsApp: +2348133261196 or review his webpage (https://isikolo-temple.com)