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!
Enter to WIN!!
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 read 90 Minutes in Heaven and it was very helpful to me after losing both my parents. I very much look forward to reading A Walk Through the Dark! Thank you for this post.
I would also love to read this book. I have walked in the dark at 21 years of age when my husband of 4 1/2 months, suddenly dropped to the floor with a fatal heart attack. My Faithful and Loving Heavenly Father provided another husband for me and we will soon be celebrating 26 years of marriage! We also experienced a very dark year several years back when he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. The year was long and grievous and reminded me that life is short and can be taken in an instant. I found myself in a battle with fear of losing another husband. God chose to heal him even though he was minutes away from death during his last round of chemo. I am so thankful for the gifts from the Lord. Each day is precious.
Love to read. This sounds like a book that would be inspirational and helpful. Blessings.
during the dark days when my marriage was falling apart, I had a confidence that didn’t seem to make sense, but it did. It was GOd walking with me every moment of the day.
Having 4 kids in a little more than 5 years was a lot to boost my confidence, but the real boost has been homeschooling all 4 with joy and peace only found in Christ alone through much prayer. And God has been faithful every step of the way.
I would love to read more about her story and how she came through it so blessed. I am trying to teach my daughter to trust with her heart that God is ALWAYS there with her and all her decisions will be blessed ones. I always say ” you are where you are supposed to be”. Even through hardships you will have learned lessons and your faith made stronger if you only believe and trust the Lord.
After struggling for years with my husband’s family (especially his mother) and eventually falling into a dark place, I realized that I had it in me to stand up for myself. I am a person who is worth it, and I don’t need to fall prey to them anymore. I have limited the time I go over there and finally am not forced to go by my husband. I am far from perfect, but know that I don’t have to believe what they say about me as I know in my heart what is true. Thankfully it doesn’t matter what anyone but my heavenly Father thinks of me.
When my younger son was born, he had multiple medical issues that had to be addressed. I understand how difficult it is to find the courage to make these decisions for someone who can’t do it himself. I read the story of her husband’s miraculous healing. I would love to read her story of how she found the courage to make the decisions he couldn’t .
Love to read this and share it. After finally learning to give what I was struggling with to God did I become confident in moving forward. Now I am planning and putting together a community mom’s Bible study.
I am in the darkest most difficult time in my life. Four weeks ago we got a knock on our door with news that no parent ever wants to hear. Our precious 23 year old son was killed in an auto accident. He was a firefighter and worked for our counties EMS. He was a dedicated community servant and worked tirelessly to help others. He was on his way to work when someone crossed the center line and hit him head on. My son was killed while the other person walked away.
I cant possibly understand why this happened. I cant find any good in this nightmare.Right now all we can do is try to make it thru one day at a time. I miss my son so much and cant imagine not seeing his smiling face again on this earth. I know someday I will see him again in heaven.
In my head I know God is in control and His ways are higher than our ways but my heart feels like a big part of it is gone. How do you make sense out of a tragedy like this?
Joyce, I am so sorry for your loss.
Lord, I pray for Joyce and her family in this their time of need. Your word says “You heal the broken in heart and bind up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3) and that “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” Matthew 5:4. I ask you Father to place your loving arms around this family and be their sacred place of security, a safe haven. Give them strength for the time ahead. For we know You will not leave them. In Jesus name I pray Amen
When my father was dying from heart failure, it became apparent that someone needed to ask the questions and be the go-between for our family. Somehow God provided me with the questions I needed to ask and the discretion of knowing when to push for more/better care and when to let things go. It seems I often become that person to turn to for family and friends.
I love a copy of Eva book. I too have a husband who 5 yrs ago got Kidney failure and a child diagnosised with Aspergers within a 4 month perion. I know so well the dark . This many years later and Sometimes I still feel in dark and unsure where the next turn will take me and my family. I have seen God strengthen my faith and trust on him but I still struggle feeling alone in this life and situation. Friends and Family try to encourage me .
Thank you Renee for this post and the video. I would love to read Eva’s book, and her husband’s. I have added them to my book “wish list” I remember when my dad was very ill, the doctor called and told me that they didn’t expect him to last 24 hours. I packed my bags and my husband took me to see him, I prayed and asked God what to do, should I stay with him or go home. My husband and I prayed and talked about it, and I stayed. I was allowed to sleep in the sitting room at the home, which was a blessing, I was able to get up at any time and go and check in on my daddy. I would get up every morning and help the nurses by giving him a partial sponge bath, shave him, sing to him (he was in a coma) and tell him “Ok, daddy you are nice and clean, and ready if you meet Jesus today”. I held on to God like there was no tomorrow….The Lord blessed me with 7 days to be with my daddy. The Saturday before I was to leave, I was struggling because I didn’t want to leave him, I had to get home to my family. I prayed that day for God to take my daddy home, I felt this peace in my heart, I didn’t cry, but I felt joy and praised God for it. Thanked God for the time I had. Sunday morning I did what I had the days before and I heard a gurgle coming from my daddy, I immediately knew, time would be close. I sat and prayed, held his hand, placed his hand to my face, and told him I loved him….later that day, I saw him draw his last breath, and felt his heart beat fade away. The rest of the family was there, and I called for the nurses, kissed “My gentle giant” and said “I’ll see you later” and prepared with the nurses what would come next. They asked me several times if I was ok, I guess because I was so peaceful. I praise God for the strength that He gave me, I often had thought of what it would be like, God was in control, and I was still and called to Him and he answered me. God works miracles in our lives, I thank Him that Eva’s husband survived and that they are together, helping people with their story.
Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know I am God”.
Blessings,
Anna
My mother was passive and I always said I would not let people run over me. In my attempt to not repeat history; I learned to be aggressive rather than confident. Although, I got the results I was seeking it was not without cost of hurt relationships. God began to show me that if I would act in with love and kindness I could get the some results without the pain. God was teaching me the difference in Confidence and aggression. When I needed a responses or assistance in a matter I did so without being rude. These changes in my behavior felt good. God helped me build my confidence one situation at a time. With these experience He has shown me how to develop into the person He wants me to be and live the life that is His plan for me. Eva’s book sounds like a source of support as I walk with God and He lead my journey to where He wants me to be in my life. God Bless
I would like to win a copy of Eva’s book because I feel like I have been walking through darkness since 2003 when I got diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis & loss my my mom and sister in 2008. It has been difficult and somewhere along the way I feel like I have lost my confidence and would love to read an inspiring story of Go’d mircles and restoration. Thanks for all you do!
Several years ago a friend was unable to drive and wanted to go to a larger town and asked me to drive. I was petrified and she didn’t know until afterwards. Yes, we made it there and back just fine but my heart was racing until we neared home. I live in a rural area and still do not like to drive in large cities but do on occasion.
I love her husband’s book, “90 Minutes in Heaven.” I can only imagine what she went through during that experience. It sounds like she found herself and her place in the Lord’s will, as well. Sometimes in life, it seems that we have to go that dark place just to start all over again!
Hi, I would like to share a time in my life where I experienced confidence beyond my natural self. My daughter was pregnant with her second child and had moved away from our home town and now lived about an hour’s drive away by Motorway.. I had a fear of motorway driving , even though I had driven a car for over 30 years, and I had always avoided motorways. To see my daughter and give support I had to face this fear and find the confidence to do it.. The first time I drove the motorway on my own I was a shaking leaf of a woman when i arrived at her house .. but I had done it ! I gave thanks that I had taken a confident step forward and then each time I travelled there it became better and my confidence increased.. This was all the more important as my daughter ended up having a ceasarian section birth and this meant she could not lift or drive for almost 6 weeks afterwards and I was going up and down the Motorway even more and acting as driver for her too.. I have not looked back since AND my daughter and family moved again a year later and now live 250 miles away , a journey of 4 1/2 hours ..God is Good and I can do all things in the strength He gives to me.. even motorway driving…..
I always imagined our retirement as my husband and I travelling, enjoying the grand-children, volunteering and taking care of each other. My husband has Alzheimer’s. I retired earlier than I imagined and am learning to be a care taker. I am now making all the decisions and solving all the problems. His children are busy taking care of their ailing in-laws. My siblings are busy taking care of ailing parents and each other.
I have had to step up and I have to step up with confidence. Then I want to help others to the same because this situation is become more common.
thank you for sharing this story. I would love to read this book.