Do you wonder if God really has a plan for your life?

Do you wonder if God really has a plan for your life? 
by Craig Collier

There I was standing, looking down from the balcony of a church I used to attend in San Diego.  I felt confused, didn’t know how I got there, or why there wasn’t anyone else in the church with me.  And I knew I hadn’t been in this Church in a while, as I had been attending another church.  But, there I was, looking down at the floor of the empty church. There were no chairs, or anyone else there with me. I could hear music – loud music!  All I wanted to do was go downstairs and dance. I no longer cared how I got there or why I was alone. I just wanted to dance and praise Jesus.

As I was dancing, I looked up to the ceiling, and the next thing I knew, I was laying in a bed.  I was trying to process what was happening. I noticed that the pastor from that church, who I hadn’t seen in a couple of years, was standing next to me. Then I realized that I was in a hospital room. The pastor explained to me that I had tried to kill myself, and had been in a coma.  During that time, my heart had stopped and needed to be jump started again.  I had been on kidney dialysis, had a blood transfusion, had severe nerve damage, along with many other treatments, while in the coma.  The doctors didn’t know what my state would be if or when I woke up.  Would I be able to walk, talk, or live a normal life again?

During my stay in the hospital, I really wanted to get back into reading the Word of God, but I had no clue where my things were.  I called my ex-wife and left a voicemail asking if someone could get my Bible or give me another one.  Within minutes of leaving the message, a friend of mine walked into my room to share how his family had been praying for me and felt led to bring a Bible to me. Then my friend proceeded to share Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) with me:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” 

Within minutes of his leaving, my ex-wife called me back and explained that I didn’t have a Bible anymore. They had brought it to me in the hospital earlier, and I had asked my roommate to rip it up! Wow! I had absolutely no recollection of that.

This event happened over ten years ago, and this testimony is just a small snapshot of what God has done. I am not sharing all the material things I lost, or the trials I walked through, but God has brought me a long way since then.  I still carry the above verse in my heart every day, and now I work for a ministry who’s guiding scripture is Jeremiah 29:11! I can tell you from personal experience just how good our God is, and how deep His love is for us. Today, I know and feel that love, and live my life for Him.  God does have a plan for us and it’s not for harm, but for good.

So, remember to never give up, even if you can’t see a way out because God has a plan just for you.

Are you going through a trial that has tested you to your limit of endurance?

If you are considering something drastic (like I did),  or going through a hard time, feel alone, or need to talk to someone please contact the national suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or you can talk to them online at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/ and remember my testimony!

I’m so grateful today, that my plan failed, because God’s was much better.

Have you been blessed by this ministry? If so, consider Partnering with us or making a One Time Gift! I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers!