God promises to give us His strength in our times of weakness.
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
And when we trust His promises… by choosing to rely on Him instead of ourselves… a soul-securing confidence comes in the most unexpected ways.
Eva Piper, wife of Don Piper {the author of 90 minutes in Heaven} knows just how true that is.
Today she’s here to share with us how she found a surprising confidence during her darkest hours. Her new book, “A Walk Through the Dark,” released last week. It’s based on her role in the story that began the day her husband died and came back to life 90 minutes later, and the years and countless surgeries and miracles that followed. Click the arrow below to watch a powerful short video trailer about Eva’s story.
{If you are reading this via email, click here to return to my blog to watch and enter to WIN a copy of Eva’s book.}
From Eva Piper:
I was sitting in a movie theater watching The Sound of Music. The young Maria had sung while dancing through the mountains, the sisters had asked “How do you solve a problem like Maria?” and now Maria was walking through town on her way to serve as governess to a group of seven children singing about confidence.
The song begins with Maria listing her doubts and fears but ends with these words. “I have confidence in confidence alone, besides which you see I have confidence in me!”
I never thought of myself as a confident person. I was confident in some of the ‘things’ I did…playing the piano, teaching school, being a wife and mother. But when it came to making decisions, I usually let someone else take charge.
I rationalized they knew more about such and such than I did. They were more outgoing. They were more sure of themselves. They were more ‘confident.’
Some people build confidence by practicing a sport or art. Some build confidence by taking classes in public speaking. Others may study to become an expert in a certain field of study. My confidence came from a very different source.
During the second week of my husband Don’s stay in the ICU, it became necessary for me to move into a hotel a short distance from the hospital. I needed to be close by in case anything happened so I checked into the Downtown Hyatt.
Each morning as soon I awoke I placed a call to the nurses’ station in the ICU. As soon as someone answered I would go through my list of questions…How is his breathing? What is his oxygen rate? What is his pain level?
The nurses responded to all of my questions and provided any additional information that I might need. But on this particular morning, things went differently. Instead of getting the information I requested I was told, “Oh honey, you don’t need to know all that, you’re just the wife.”
In a split second I went from being a person who questioned whether I was up to the task to one who realized I had more strength than I realized.
Without skipping a beat I asked to speak to her supervisor. When she came on the phone I explained what had happened and waited.
The supervisor apologized and quickly gave me the information on Don.
That was my turning point. That morning I took my first step toward being someone who was willing to do whatever was needed to move my husband’s recovery along.
Looking back I can see, that’s when I stepped beyond my private comfort space—and would do it many more times in the months ahead.
During those early days I had to push to get what I needed. I learned to ask questions until I not only had answers but I understood the situation we were facing.
If I didn’t grasp the meaning or if staff spoke with medical jargon, I learned to say, “I’m not in the medical field. Can you explain that again?”It worked. I got what I wanted.
I was never belligerent or rude. I tried to treat people with respect. But when I became aware of things that needed doing or I required information, I asked and stayed steadily at it until I received an acceptable response.
The situation with the rude nurse taught me a valuable lesson. Sometimes God uses difficult people or situations to move you to where He wants you to be. Without that rude nurse I would never have had the confidence to face the rest of my walk through the dark.
Eva Piper is a speaker and author of A Walk Through the Dark, where she shares unique insights into the trials of heartache and the triumph of overcoming!
The wife of best-selling author Don Piper, Eva was the glue that held her broken husband and her family together. Don’s story, recounted in the New York Times bestseller, 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Life and Death, is Eva’s story too. A teacher of 34 years, she and Don now live in Pasadena, Texas. Visit http://evapiper.com/ to reserve your copy of Eva’s new book, “A Walk Through the Dark” today!
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I’m giving away a copy of Eva’s new book. To enter, simply click “Share Your Thoughts” below and share about a time you had unexpected confidence. Or, share why you’d like to win a copy of Eva’s new book.
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I would love to win a copy of A Walk Through the Dark so that I can simply be encouraged by God’s goodness and greatness. They have a remarkable story to share!
We all go through a “dark time” in our life but it’s only with God that we can make it through it victoriously. God puts us all in a situation where we have to step up and take that step of confidence instead of being complacent. I too had a recent experience in my dark place when God put me in that place where I had to step up in faith and take that step in confidence do what needed to be done. Eva’s book sounds like it will be a best seller and I can’t wait to read it and pass it along to others.
I had just received my certification in biblical counseling. The counselor at my church and I had a plan. A plan to work together, build my confidence and for me to sit in on more sessions to get my hours. But we know sometimes our plan is not Gods plan. My counselor, mentor and friend was just diagnosed with a fatal (we thought) illness. She couldn’t work anymore. I was on my own. That day embarked my journey of trusting the Holy Spirit within me to have the confidence to be on my own.
WHEN MY SON WAS 12 YEARS OLD, I HAD TO PLACE HIM IN THE ADOLECENT PSYCHATRIC UNIT OF A BIG CITY HOSPITAL. I HAD NEVER DRIVEN IN A BIG CITY BEFORE’ AND THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE I STAYED IN WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BIG CITY. FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS I MADE THE TRIP BACK AND FO RTH TWICE A DAY.IF I HADN’T HAD TO DO THIS I NEVER WOULD HAVE HAD THE CONFIDENCE TO DO IT. GOD KEPT ME SAFE THROUGH IT ALL.
I am experiencing a struggle in my life dealing with as some Medical Expenses as a result of a medical procedure I require to be done every five weeks. I know God is greater than any situation that comes into my life so I am asking Him to help me to know what all of the right questions so this situation can be resolved. I know it is just money but my husband and I have always paid our medical bills and want to get this situation straightened out. There are two different insurance companies involved and then the company that provides the services. Help me to know what to ask, what to do and how to do this as a woman and Child of God. You have always been there for me Lord. Lead, guide and protect me as I try to work through this maze of dates of services, amounts charged, amounts paid and what our responsibilities are remaining after this is all figured. Help me to be honest, polite and ask the correct questions. May the people I have to deal with be understanding and helpful so we can get this matter settled and not have a bad credit issue remaining. Thank you Lord for all that you do. I know nothing ever takes you by surprise and am depending on you and all of the promises in your word to “Never Leave me nor forsake me.” and I also to believe that “I can do all things through you and your strength.” I know that I am trying to allow God to guide me and feel His presence through all of this. Thank you Lord for always being my shied of protection in all situations. Mary
Wow! I am looking forward to reading this book. Sounds like an amazing story of God’s strength shining through human weakness. He truly does make everything beautiful, turning mourning into dancing and works all things together for our good. Thank you for sharing.
I was painfully shy as a child. In fact, I was named “Most Bashful” of my graduating class. However, God has led me through places and experiences that have forced me to place my trust and confidence in Him. I’m so grateful that He didn’t leave me in the dark prison of shyness.
These are perplexing times (2Cor. 4:8) that we are living in. I would like to read Eva’s book and how God helped her through a difficult time.
I struggle with confidence daily but thru many struggles and situations I’m learning, with God’s help, to stand on my own and believe in myself more. Thru each experience God shows me something new! I loved reading “90 Minutes in Heaven” and feel reading the other side of this beautiful story would be inspirational. I’ve always taught my children there are two sides to every story and we must try to see the entire picture instead of just our side! 🙂
Thank you Eva and Renee for sharing this story with us! I’ve read Don’s book and it was very inspiring. It’s so wonderful to see how God takes our darkest moments and uses them for His glory! He promises to bring good out of EVERYTHING for those who love Him. I’ve been through some dark times in my life and He’s always been there for me. Not only does He bring me safely through, He allows me to share with others what He has done. I hope to win this book so I can read it and pass it on. I often use books as a ministry tool and would love to have this one to use in that way. Blessings to you, Eva, Renee and to all of you ladies! Love you to all.
I would love to win this book because right now I am going through a time that I need to learn more dependence on the Lord. I ‘m not working due to an injury I received at work and now I have to go to hearings that are nerve-wracking. Everyday I need God’shelp. This book would be such an encouragement.
I have just lost my mother after caring for her for 24hours a day for over six months, many weeks staying in the hospital with her as she went through test after test. As I walked through that darkness, I gained the strength that only God can give, while dealing with so much more than I ever could have on my own. Thankfully, she is sitting at the feet of Jesus. I have read Don Piper’s book, and another wonderful one, Heaven is for Real, and I would appreciate the chance to read his wife’s book of the experience.
I would love a copy of her book, and I find this very interesting…i just purchased her husbands book, 90 minutes in heaven!!! I work in a nursing home and see death and hurting familes all the time, this is inspiring to share too others for comfort, confindence in there hearts of how awesome our God is, here on earth and when we all reach heaven!!!
Thank you Eva and Don for sharing God’s experiences to uplift and encourage the body of Christ..
Blessings to you and your family…
Patty
I thought my husband and I were now to the age where we gave thought to retirement not parenting again. Well, our son and his wife got into a lot of trouble with the law and their three boys were taken by Child & Family Services and placed in our care. Because the children are in our care we are not allowed to be in contact with their parents. This leaves us in the dark as to what is happening and also unable to counsel or be a support for them. Essentially we feel like we are walking in the dark.
I would love to read Eva’s book, for in reading about other brothers & sisters walk we feel like we are not so alone.
Thank you
I am making my way through the darkness after 12 painful years of abuse, abandonment, divorce, loneliness, fear, isolation, and many other things. Were it not for the grace of God, saving my soul in this terrible time and walking with me, whether I realized it or not, I would not have made it. It is still lonely and difficult even after this many years but I am learning so much more about God than I ever knew, and thank Him for bringing good out of what the enemy meant for evil. I would love a copy of Eva’s book to help continue to inspire me along the way!
I believe I could benefit from reading Eva’s book because I feel like I’m walking inthe same darkness now.
I was shocked to receive this in my email this morning. This is the second time this week someone has told me to read this book. I truly feel God is trying to get a message to me. Thank you for your blog. Thank you for sharing God’s truth. I appreciate all the work you put in to get to my family the message that God loves me. I wish you all many blessings.
I saw her and her husband on a TV interview not too long ago while I was getting ready for work. I only heard bits and pieces of the interview, but I did realize how hard it must have been for her. I would love to hear all she has to say about her experience. God’s blessings on both of them.
I would like a copy of this book to learn that confidence for myself. To learn to take care and stand up for myself.
Thank you!
Taking my Grandpuppy to the local dog park. God gave me the confidence to ask people I just met about their walk with Him, not just make “small talk”. My husband and I are now leading a young college age couple in a Bible study in our home. Needless to say, I offer to puppy sit often – more trips to the dog park.