Fake Stroke

I had a fake stroke one time. I was sure it was the real deal. My face was paralyzed, it seemed to be moving from my face down my side.

I called my Neurologist friend and said, “What do I do?” He calmly said, “Why don’t you take an aspirin and get someone to drive you down to my office and we’ll run some tests.”

As it turned out, it wasn’t a stroke, in fact, they never were sure what it was but it was a wake-up call to me. By doctor’s orders, I was to rest for 4 weeks. No work, no preaching, stay at home, do nothing.

You know, for us guys, so much of who we are is tied up in what we do? I remember standing in our room upstairs looking out the window on Sunday mornings wondering if I would have a job to return to or whether I would spend the rest of my life slurring my words when I tried to talk. Not a very good look for a preacher.

God seemed very far away from me during that time. I didn’t want to talk to him…really. I spent most of my days being anxious, worried, and afraid. I think it’s a normal reaction to an abnormal experience. In the end, even when I had very little hope, God showed up. He’s that way.

Maybe you're going through a season kind of like I did. The details are different but the feelings are the same. Believe me, I get it. I've been there. Just remember, if you're looking, there's always hope.