I had
every
reason
to be
mad
at God
DENISSE WARSHAK
CO N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R
My husband Ian and I were married
right out of college. Nine years later, we
were living a picture-perfect life. He
was a self employed software developer
and I was a stay-at-home mom to three
wonderful children. Life couldn’t get
any better.
I never saw it coming. That January
day, a cough gone wrong sent us to the
emergency room to receive the worst
news of our lives.
“Your husband is in septic shock.
I’d advise you get your things in order.”
Everything pointed to my thirty-two
year old husband’s death. He was alive
only with the help of a ventilator. There
was nothing left to do. In desperation,
I fell to my knees face down on the
floor and prayed.
"God, please save Ian’s life! You can
do all things! I’m not ready to be a
single mom! I can’t do this alone!
I need your help!"
What happened next can only be
attributed to God. A deep sense of
peace flooded through me. A heavy
weight was lifted from my shoulders.
God was in control of our situation.
I needed to trust Him. Only He could
get us through this nightmare.
After nine long days in a coma, Ian
woke up! God answered our prayers!
I would have a husband to grow old
TELL YOUR STORY
with after all. Our children wouldn’t
have to grow up without a daddy.
Witnessing this miracle rekindled my
faith in God and the power of prayer.
We were grateful that Ian was going
to live, but we had new challenges to
face. Medications that saved his life
had also done irreversible damage to
his hands and feet. Despite our best
efforts, Ian’s limbs could not be saved.
His legs and fingers were amputated
six months later.
I have every reason to be angry at
God. The picture-perfect life I
imagined is gone. My husband is now a
double below-knee amputee without
fingers. Our children have experienced
hardship I wish they hadn’t. My own
emotions have been on a rollercoaster.
The journey hasn’t been easy.
But, would you believe me if I told
you I’m not angry? Instead, I’m grateful.
Thanks to these experiences, our
family has learned lessons that will last
a lifetime.
During this trial, God has used my
weaknesses to show me His strength.
He has taught me that I am not in
control and showed me His faithfulness
in providing our needs. Our family also
witnessed unimaginable healing and
joy. These experiences have molded me
into the person I am today. I am
eternally grateful!
I’m happy to share our family has
reached a new normal. Ian walks with
But, would you believe me if
I told you I’m not angry?
Instead, I’m grateful. Thanks
to these experiences, our
family has learned lessons
that will last a lifetime.
prosthetic legs and is back at work.
In the last several years Ian has gone
skiing, run marathons on his running
blades and even climbed Mount
Kilimanjaro in Africa! Who would have
imagined such amazing accomplishments
from a man who wasn’t supposed
to live through the night? Only God.
When Ian and I think about the hard
times, we see so much good that came
from our trial. We would have never
chosen this path for our family, but
seeing where we are now, we wouldn’t
want to be anywhere other than God’s
chosen path for us. If you are in the
midst of a challenging situation, friends,
I encourage you to trust God. He sees
you where you are, and He is in control.
Rest in His promise that all things will
work together for your good.
As Paul said in Romans 8:28, "And we
know that God causes all things to work
together for good to those who love
God, to those who are called according
to His purpose.”
A longer version of this post can be
found at www.denissewarshak.com
July 2019 www.saBeacon.com 15
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