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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #435 March 7, 2002 A Knock on the Head Some of you have asked about my brain injury, so let me tell you my story this morning. Back in the late 1980’s I was working as a banker specializing in working with small businesses. My wife Kathy was working as the supervisor of the data processing department at a local college. We were the typical two children, two-income family working in the city and living in the suburbs. I had no faith; to be honest I doubted there was a god. Religion was okay if it worked for you but it certainly had no place in my life. In March 1991, Kathy and I were involved in a motor vehicle accident. A lady ran a stop sign and t-boned us. We had some bumps and bruises but nothing significant. Or so we thought. We had some minor whiplash and Kathy didn’t feel well enough to go to work the next day. She continued to deteriorate and was eventually diagnosed with having a brain injury. In September of the same year, I was rear ended by a speeding driver while at a stoplight and propelled forward into the car that was ahead of me. I was shaken and a little bruised but drove home. When I walked in the door, Kathy took one look at me and drove me to the hospital. I was diagnosed with various bumps and bruises, whiplash in a number of places and with a mild concussion, all of which I was told would go away in time. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, right after the accident I started having problems. I struggled at work, started having mood swings and generally a poor time coping with life. I wrote my struggles off to the stress of dealing with Kathy’s injuries. The problems kept getting worse. I moved from one bank to another and to still another. By now I was having violent fits of rage, memory problems, chronic pain, depression and more. I went to specialist after specialist who all said nothing was wrong with me. My family doctor recognized that things weren’t right and he kept pushing and looking for answers (Thank you Dr. Jim) and in due time I was diagnosed with what was called a minor brain injury [a minor brain injury simply means I didn’t lose consciousness at the time, it has nothing to do with the extent of the injuries]. By the time I had a diagnosis our world was a wreck. My personality had changed, our marriage was rocky, my relationship with our sons wasn’t good and I was on the verge of losing my job. I went off on short-term disability leave for two weeks that extended to six months as we tried various combinations of medication. I went back to work for two weeks at the end of which both my boss and I recognized I wasn’t fit to be back at work. Then the struggles with insurance companies began. We were fighting with insurance companies over the accidents and with disability insurers for both Kathy and I. We sold off our few investments, ran our charge cards up to the max and went nearly two years without any income. We tried medication and combinations of medications to bring my symptoms under control. None seemed to have any effect. I don’t know how many I tried I lost count. More than once I seriously debated suicide. I had no career prospects, I had lost the job that defined who I was, our financial safety net was gone, our marriage on the rocks and I was (at least I felt I was) a burden to my family. I had nothing left to live for and no hope. It’s a long story, so I’ll cut to the chase. Somewhere in the midst of all that hopelessness, pain and despair I found Jesus. I knew that He was real and He cared about me. I gave my life to Him and laid my problems at His feet. I still struggle with some of the problems of the brain injury, which are managed through a structured and balanced life style, extra rest and the right combination of medications. My medical issues didn’t get miraculously healed, but He healed me emotionally and spiritually. He gave me a peace, wholeness and a joy I had never known. I would not wish a brain injury on anyone, but I am glad He used ours to bring us to know Him. I thank God for allowing our knock on the head. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV Whatever your circumstances in life, no matter how bleak the picture may seem or how much the pain hurts, you are not alone! He is walking with you! Until next time, may you give thanks and praise Him no matter what. God bless, Kevin Are you in a dark place with no way out? There is a place to turn to for the ultimate solutions. Look to a healing personal relationship with Jesus. Email me and I’ll share some Bible verses that explain why a personal relationship with Jesus is so important and a prayer that will make it possible. Or simply begin the relationship by saying a prayer along the lines of: Dear God: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord. Amen If you pray this prayer let me know and I will direct you to some free non-denominational resources that will help you grow in that newfound relationship. To share your thoughts on this issue of Gleanings, or to share prayer concerns email us at corbin_writer@hotmail.com. or write us at : Gleanings From The Word 114 Oak Street Sherwood Park, AB Canada, T8A 0V8 At Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential. If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. 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© 2001 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin All Rights Reserved SUBSCRIBE TO GLEANINGS FOR FREE
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