Taken to the Brink of Death

Yvonne Ortega has survived many tough circumstances in her life, and the Lord taught her powerful lessons through each trial. In this Prayer UPGRADE, she shares a personal story of desperation, and how God answered her prayers.

“After the remediation and restoration of my home, I expected to feel better," Yvonne says. "Instead, I became sicker and sicker. I couldn’t eat or sleep. I felt nauseated, dizzy, and worn out.”

When I (Dawn) read that, I thought, "Wow! What was wrong?" Does that make you curious too?

Yvonne continues . . .

For two and a half years, the mystery continued. Some strange smell overpowered me. No one seemed to smell it but me.

I needed help and couldn’t wait much longer.

So what did I do?

1. I prayed day and night.

I prayed and claimed God’s promise in the Bible:

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5, NASB 1995).

"God, I’m not making this up! Please tell me what’s wrong with my house.

"I’m on the brink of death. I’ve lost twenty-five pounds. My clothes hang on my body. I’m doubled over in pain. I can hardly stand up, much less walk. I need your wisdom!"

2. I called my primary care physician.

When the receptionist answered, I managed—between sobs—to get the words out:  “No more virtual appointments. Somebody has to see me.” I described all of my symptoms.

It was just before Christmas. Nothing was available except for a virtual appointment on January 5, 2021, and an in-person one on January 25, 2021.

I took both.

Meanwhile, I continued to pray that God would bring me answers.

The first answer from God came through the man who came over to rake leaves before Christmas. He found two gas leaks in the gas line to the generator.

The gas company couldn’t fix the two leaks because they were on a private line. A qualified technician fixed them immediately.

When the doctor heard my story, he believed me and ordered a thorough check of my home. That check revealed that every single valve on the gas line was loose.

I was being slowly poisoned to death in my own home.

No wonder I couldn’t stand the smell of any food preparation on my gas stove.

I also had gas heat and couldn’t tolerate the smell from the vents. That odor kept me from turning on the gas fireplace. During that cold winter, I bundled up, kept the stove and heat off as much as possible, and prayed for a miracle in my home.

It should have been my refuge.

3. I thanked God.

I thanked Him for every single person He brought to encourage, support, and lead me back to health.

He used many.

• A friend sent me a link to symptoms of gas poisoning. I had all of them but one and took the information to my specialists.
• The doctor asked about a mammogram, which I had already scheduled. He referred me to the lab and radiology for several blood tests, a stomach CT scan, a bone scan, and an appointment with the gastroenterologist for a complete examination. After all the tests, the preparation for a colonoscopy and an endoscopy, and then the two procedures, I felt wiped out for a week.
• The gastroenterologist sent tissue to the lab for three biopsies. The nurse was to call me if everything was okay. The doctor would call if a serious health problem showed up.

A week later, my phone rang. It was the doctor. My legs felt like Jell-O®.

However, he said, “I’ve called with good and bad news."

I expected the effects of the gas leaks to be, at the least, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Crohn’s disease. I burst into words of gratitude and praise to God that it was neither one.

“I was looking for cancer," he said. "You didn’t have it. You had one polyp, which I removed. It was aggressive and would have turned to cancer. You’re a miracle.”

He talked to me about diet, rest, and slowing down my pace.

My church, prayer partners, and others have surrounded me with reminders of another promise in God’s word:

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3 NIV).

Without God’s wisdom and love poured into me, and those God used to help me, I would have died in my home.

I'm so glad I prayed.

What will you pray for this week?

Yvonne Ortega is a licensed professional counselor, a bilingual professional speaker, and the author of Moving from Broken to Beautiful: 9 Life Lessons to Help You Move Forward (paperback, Kindle) and Finding Hope for Your Journey through Breast Cancer (Kindle), both available here. She not only survived but thrived after a domestic violence marriage, breast cancer and the loss of her only child. With honesty and humor, Yvonne uses personal examples and truths of the Bible to help women move from broken to beautiful. Find out more about Yvonne on her writing page.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Isabella and Zsa Fischer at Unsplash.

Enjoy Your Friendships—Especially at Christmastime!

Kathy Collard Miller is an amazing writer and speaker who focuses on women's hearts—encouraging women to live as Daughters of the King. In this Christmas UPGRADE, Kathy invites us to consider our friendships at Christmastime.

"Do friendships seem more beneficial or challenging? Most likely both," Kathy said.

I (Dawn) can't tell you how many new friendships I've developed during past Christmas seasons, but even more, I've come to appreciate the value of faithful friends who continue to encourage, challenge and motivate me.

Thank you, Kathy, for reminding us to view our friendships from God's perspective!

Kathy continues . . .

Let’s see how we can be more blessed by friendships than frustrated—especially during the holidays.

Friendships are gifts from God.

That may sound very basic, but when we remember God orchestrated every human contact, we can be grateful even when it’s a challenging connection.

When we are tempted to grumble instead, let’s remember the truth about friendships.

1. Friendships are God’s gift.

Sometimes we define “good” as “trouble-free.” We can easily assume God made a mistake or is mean-spirited when He connects us with an “unlovable” person. And certainly God might lead us to limit our availability, but every person has a purpose in our lives and we have God’s purpose in their lives.

Especially at Christmas, there might be a specific talent or perspective you offer few others can offer. Look for that kind of opportunity.

Proverbs 27:17 tells us, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” How appropriate at the stressful time of Christmas.

2. Friendships are an invitation to draw closer to God.

For instance, if boundaries are needed, seek His plan and don’t immediately assume you should cut off the friendship.

I remember a challenging friendship which seemed her fault. I thought of requirements for her behavior which would eliminate my uncertainty.

Suddenly, I saw my plan of not needing to seeking God’s guidance at each challenge.

I released my control and learned to be more loving and kind with God’s power.

I remembered James 1:2: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.”

At Christmas, everyone celebrates differently. That can feel stressful and we might want to withdrawn or control.

God’s power can give us a gracious perspective of honoring others and see how we depend upon God because of it.

3. Friendships are examples to encourage us.

• Is there someone who handles stress better than you by depending upon God? Ask her how she maintains her peace.
• Is there someone who sets up priorities more effectively than you? Ask her about how she makes plans.
• Is there someone who makes Christmas more worshipful? Ask her to share her ideas.

Most of us resist asking for help, but we need to humble ourselves. One humble question can open the door within another person’s heart to ask for help.

4. Friendships aren’t for comparisons.

You may have a friend who decorates amazingly for Christmas and you don’t know how to make those amazing bows. Don’t belittle your lack of designing skills.

Another friend is a fabulous gourmet cook and you can’t seem to remember to take the neck and giblets out of the cavity of the turkey. Don’t apologize every time someone takes a bite of your simple meal.

God never wants you to compare with another. I Corinthians 12:5-6 tells us, “there are varieties of service, … but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.”

You are uniquely suited for God’s service to others.

Be grateful for the God-given skills He’s given you, even if they seem lacking in comparison.

You have ideas others lack and are impressed by.

Use them for God’s glory.

What friendship challenge is God using to make you more holy or to give you an opportunity to help another?

Kathy Collard Miller is amazed at God’s work in and through her. She has spoken in over 30 states and 8 foreign countries. As an author she has over 50 published books and her latest is At the Heart of Friendship: Daughters of the King Bible Study Series (Elk Lake Publishers). She is a wife, mom, grandma, and lay counselor living in Southern California. Discover more about Kathy's ministry at her website. 

Graphic adapted, courtesy of CelebrateWoman at Pixabay.