2 Corinthians 4:8 (NIV)
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair

I’ve been in my kids’ school PTO board going into my fourth year. I’m currently the president. Beginning this school year I learned that one former board member’s brother-in-law was close to dying from a brain tumor. He just entered into a coma when I found out. 

Of course I felt horrible for him. At first I prayed for him privately. But during prayer I strongly felt that I needed to get more involved. I recruited many praying friends to pray with me for his recovery and healing. We also prayed for his salvation and that his life will be lived for Jesus going forward. I even reached out to my board member friend and asked if I can pray for him in person. I stepped out of my comfort zone, and shared my faith and beliefs about miracles and healing. I was persistent. She was reluctant and I suppose unbelieving. 

I risked my reputation to do God’s work because I wanted to obey God. But my friend wanted to honor her brother-in-law’s last request that no one other than family see him this way. So I never got a chance to pray for him in person. Still I hoped and prayed fervently with others that he’ll wake up from his coma and live on. After all, why did I feel the urgency to keep on praying for this stranger? Nevertheless after all my efforts, he passed away. I was sad, disappointed and perplexed. I was relating well to Paul’s feelings as stated on this verse – “perplexed, but not in despair.”

Despite the fact that there wasn’t a miracle as I had believed and hope for, I have great peace in my heart that I was courageous and obeyed the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, I’m merely perplexed. If I hadn’t been courageous and not obeyed the promptings, I believe I would’ve been in despair. Well then, I’d take perplexed over despair! Bonus points  – I can also sense that Jesus is very pleased with me. He’s been showering me with extra encouragement, grace, favor, wisdom and blessings the past few days. Love it!! 

I recruited many people to pray for this man. When we get to heaven we will discover what our prayers did for the destiny of his eternal soul. I’d like to believe that he’ll be waiting for us with a big thank you banner. 🙂

As I end this blog, I’d like to share these verses that imparted wisdom and encouraged me. I hope it inspires you too! 

Hebrews 3:12-14 (NLT)
12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.

Hebrews 10:35-36
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.