Lessons From A Heart Attack
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (NKJV).
It happened. To me. Massive heart attack, 10 out of 10 pain level! Rushed to the hospital by ambulance straight in to the emergency department. They got the pain down to about a level three. Through a couple of what can only be interventions of the hand of God, I had two stents put in to two coronary arteries. One was 100% blocked, the other 95%. (No wonder the pain was maxed out!). Early one morning as the nursing staff were trying to get blood from me, I passed out, my heart stopped for 30 seconds, and CPR brought me back.
I’m home now, and on the road to recovery. Getting strength back, and meditating on my future and what lifestyle changes will be required. Staff told me people die from what I had gone through.
An event like that sure makes one think about the bigger issues. Even through the haze of bewilderment and medication in the early hours, I knew and felt God’s peace and presence. God’s Word was also clear that God holds all our days and mine are not yet finished! I’m not finished yet with my earthly destiny!
I’ve had time to think, and there are some lessons to be learnt from a heart attack. Here’s six – of many!
1. Be Ready.
At any moment our life on earth as we know it could come to an end, and we’ll be ushered into eternity. Are we ready for that? On a physical level, is our will up to date? Have we any relationships we need to put right? Is there anyone we need to apologise to? On a spiritual level, are we in relationship with God, is Jesus Christ OUR Saviour? If we die tonight do we know we will go to Heaven? Let’s be ready to live and die. May God be our portion forever!
2. Be Thankful.
There’s always things to give thanks for. Recovering in hospital, I thought about the pain Jesus went through for us on the Cross. Mine was nothing in comparison. And when there were no openings in the surgery schedules, I believe it was God that made openings so that I could get two stents put in on two separate days. Thank you Lord!
3. Be Wise.
This is the “live a healthy life” bit. Be wise about lifestyle and menu. The Coronary Care Nurse spoke to me about 10 factors that could contribute to being a candidate for a heart problem. Some included overweight, diabetic, smoker etc. – I was no to all six so far. Then there was family history, age, stress and exercise. Those last four were the only ones I could say yes to, and I’m working on them now.
Further advice is, check out ANY chest pain IMMEDIATELY! Get it looked at!
4. Be Receptive.
God works through market place ministers. I’m thankful there were people He had appointed to minister to me. People who felt God’s call to the ministry. Yes, you read right. Called to the ministry of medicine. People skilled, trained, with the knowledge and expertise to assist the body’s healing process.
One nurse in particular knew she was there by divine appointment, she knew her calling was nursing, she knew this was her mission field, she knew she was a market place minister. And she ministered to me! Every day she touches needy people, and would have many opportunities to share her story of faith.
Not all of us are called to the ministry of priest (Pastor, church worker, missionary), in fact many are called to the ministry of kings (company owner, business person, manager, or worker). Market place ministers. Maybe that’s you? Your job is important.
5. Be Connected.
At crisis times like these it’s the relationships closet to us that really shine. Family and friends prove their love to us. My wife and family are wonderful! I’m very thankful for the strength and support they’ve given me and still do.
But also, how could one live not being connected to a local church? I can’t imagine it. My local church is simply amazing. Immediate prayer, texts, emails, visits, flowers, cards, messages, meals at home, ongoing love and care. The local church is not perfect, but, in crisis it rises and ministers when it matters.
In fact the prayer support from around the world has been humbling – thank you!
6. Ring The Bell!
When you’re in hospital, the nursing staff say to you, “If you need anything, ring the bell. If you have any pain, ring the bell. If you’re unsure about anything, ring the bell”. They want to know, because if you do need anything and ring the bell, they’re there. But also they want to know what is going on, and in my case if I was having any pain, they wanted to record it so that all the medical staff could plan my treatment.
What a lesson! When we need help in life, ring the bell – of prayer! When we’re in pain, ring the bell. When we’re unsure about something, ring the bell of prayer. Ring the bell of prayer and tell our Heavenly Father all about how we’re feeling. Of course He is Omniscient, so He already knows everything, but He wants relationship with us and I think He wants us to tell Him anyway. Then He can plan and deliver the answers to our prayers.
Maybe we need to “ring the bell” and let another person know where we’re at. Call for help if we need it. There will be someone we’re connected with who can help us and will be prayerful and encouraging to us.
“But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever”. (Psalm 73:26).
