5 Spoonfuls Of Courage Намуна

All Is Not Lost: Courage to Find Hope in the Ashes

I watched helplessly as a lifetime of work and memories burned. A freakish power surge set my medical building ablaze. A truckload of whys filled my mind. Why did this happen? Why now? Why me? Why God?

When I could survey the damage, I entered the building remembering the scripture to build our lives on things of value. 

I was relieved that the stairwell leading to an upstairs office survived. In that stairwell, this prayer-challenged doctor learned to talk to God. 

There, I found things of eternal value to rebuild my life on:

The smoke gave my worn-out doctor’s bag a shiny black polish and made it look new again. Although I don’t have an office, I still have a practice. All is not lost.

A Bible sat on the stairwell steps, where earlier that day I had knelt to pray. I wiped off the soot to see the contents were unharmed. The words were still written in black and red. Life’s fires don’t change eternal truths. God’s purposes, principles, and promises remain. 

I found pictures of our five children. I thought about the people God has placed in my path to influence, encourage, and nurture.

At the top of the staircase hung a cross, fastened to the charred wall. I took the disfigured cross off the wall, and found behind it the wall’s stained beauty had been preserved and a beautiful imprint of the cross remained. This reminded me of a truth about suffering. The blaze may burn God’s children, but it will never consume them. God never wastes our pain. Instead, if we let Him, God leaves His image behind.

I’d been given a unique opportunity. I had another chance to remake my life stronger and better than before. If we’re breathing, we still have a purpose. God has given us a new opportunity to show His love, adequacy, and power in our lives. 

Though difficult, my experience doesn’t compare with tragedies endured by other people I have met, or equal their courage. 

One patient battled end stage lung cancer. Against all odds, fighting pneumonia, she lived nine months longer than anticipated to see the birth of her first grandchild.

Another man watched his bedridden wife burn in a house fire. His attempts to get her out before the flames consumed his home were futile. Somehow, despite the pain, he picked up the broken pieces, rebuilt his life and kept going.

In my medical practice, I have seen everyday people respond to adversity in extraordinary ways. Their difficulties make them better--not bitter. Their lives reveal a depth of character, determination of spirit, and passion for life that defies human explanation. When I think of them, hope flourishes. I see the cross-burned into their lives through their suffering. I’m honored to share a few of their stories.