What "Never Give Up" Looks Like: How to Rise Above the Catastrophe You Never Saw Coming

By Tim Brotzman

What happens when the good life goes up in smoke and the ashes of your health, hopes, and plans are all that remain? That was Tim Brotzmans reality when a car crash cut a devastating swath through the life of his dreams, leaving him nothing but wreckage, sorrow, and loss.

Are you there, now? Are you or a loved one living a life you never expecteda life of uninvited limitation, suffering, and lack? Are you wondering whether you can make, or whether your current life is worth living?

What Never Give Up Looks Like addresses these very questions. It describes in plain language a life ravaged by calamity and restored in hope. Raw and redemptive, it proves that when all seems lostlove, physical ability, career, family, and hopeyou can arise from brokenness and rediscover lifes unrelenting beauty. In this unvarnished account, you will discover how a downward spiral became the upward path to a new kind of wholeness and fulfillmentto abiding victory, the defeat of hopelessness, and the power to share real life with others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jun 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512745283

Tim Brotzman

Native Nebraskan Tim Brotzman became a pastor to the homeless and street youth in Denver, a radio personality, and a registered investment adviser. Suddenly speech-impaired and wheelchair-bound, Tim learned that huge opportunity is often disguised as huge opposition. Embracing life’s hard lessons, he regained his speech and returned to radio. Today, Tim helps others rise above adversity.

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What Never Give Up Looks Like

How to Rise Above the Catastrophe You Never Saw Coming

TIM BROTZMAN

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Copyright

© 2016 Tim Brotzman.

Author Photo: Greg McBride

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-4526-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-4527-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-4528-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016909464

WestBow Press rev. date: 06/22/2016

Contents

Foreword

Prologue

PART 1 MY STORY

Chapter 1 Accident and Aftermath

Chapter 2 What Never Give Up Looks Like

Chapter 3 The High Price of Choosing, or Not

Chapter 4 Back to Work

Chapter 5 So, That Crater Wasn’t Deep Enough?

Chapter 6 Another Twenty Megatons

Chapter 7 Speaking of Craters

PART 2 LIFE LESSONS FROM THE CRATER

Chapter 8 Three Consolers

Chapter 9 Forgiveness: Freedom and Power

Chapter 10 Punished? Or Prepared for My Ultimate Purpose?

Chapter 11 Five Supernatural Stages of Grief

PART 3 EVERYDAY HELP FOR EVERYDAY PEOPLE IN EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES

Chapter 12 Overcoming Pain

Chapter 13 Pain as Servant

Chapter 14 Caregiving—The Unexpected Assignment

Chapter 15 Help for Caregivers and Care Receivers

Conclusion

Appendix: Choosing Your Lord

DEDICATION

T O MY SONS, CHASE AND Cole: You endured the catastrophic and have grown in grace, day by day. You learned to face the adversity from which others would run, even enduring harsh disappointments and failures—with me, and by me. Continue pressing. The more crushing the disappointment and failure, the more valuable the experience, because of what it taught you. Carry on, rising above every adversity, never letting disappointments and failures stop you. Endure, persevere, rise above, and never give up! I love you Chase. I love you Cole. I love the men you are and are becoming.

To those broken by catastrophe: This survival handbook is dedicated to you. You endured the events at Columbine, Fort Hood, the Century 16 multiplex, Sandy Hook Elementary, the Boston Marathon and more. You have survived fires, floods, fierce storms, the terror of September 11th, the War on Terror, Paris, San Bernardino, Brussels, Orlando and other onslaughts. To the precious wounded warrior whose life is permanently affected, we cannot thank you enough for serving our country. To those who have suffered devastating injuries…or were diagnosed with life-changing or life-threatening conditions…or were involved in accidents that changed the landscape of everyday life—don’t quit! Perseverance waits to reveal you as Victor.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

T O THE ONLY WOMEN I have truly loved—my first and second wives: I thank God for you and for the seasons I was privileged to share with you in holy matrimony. Only God knows the disappointment and difficult decisions you faced. I trust Him to reach the deep places in your hearts where words fail and your cries seem to go unheard. You gave more than you know. To you I give the honor that is due.

To my neighbors, Johnny and Nora Wells: Thank you for bringing food and driving me to doctors’ appointments and grocery stores for months on end.

To John Wells (again) and to my neighbor, Walt McMillian: Thank you for helping me get my legs into bed, night after night. And to Pastor Craig Scott who made sure my lawn was mowed: I sincerely thank you. I owe a debt of gratitude to you three gentlemen and your families. Bless you!

To Lori Miller, who came to my house at 4:30 A.M. every day for weeks: Thank you for helping me get out of bed until I developed the skills I needed to manage on my own.

To my son Chase, my daughter-in-law Melissa, and my granddaughters Ziva and Arya Victoria, who now live with me and care for me: I thank God for you and am forever grateful for your love.

To Samantha Hamel, my insurance caseworker: Thank you for your unending support during my many hospitalizations in 2014.

To Douglas Howey: Thank you for the blessing of your old power wheelchair. It’s like riding in a Rolls-Royce!

To everyone named and some whose names are only printed on my heart: I probably would have perished were it not for your expressions of love. May you be abundantly blessed in every way.

ENDORSEMENT

I love to hear stories like Tim Brotzman’s—stories that show how people who put their trust in a God they don’t always understand can survive the worst of circumstances. I love the way Tim weaves God’s story in his life with all the amazing truths he has learned. Just when the reader thinks things couldn’t get worse for Tim—they do! But along the way, Tim learned valuable, lifelong lessons.

I recommend this book highly, especially for those among us who are going through similar times when tragedy or rejection come our way, and we wonder where God went.

Pastor Bob Cook (a friend of Tim’s for over 30 years!)

Victory Life Church

Grand Junction/Fruita, Colorado

The testimony of God is consistently one of triumph, victory, and salvation. What was intended to be destroyed by the devil, is redeemed by God through His Son, Jesus Christ. This narrative is played out daily in the precious lives of men and women all around world. While there is much destruction, there is even more redemption. I’ve had the privilege of not only reading of my brother Tim’s story, but watching some of it firsthand. His life continues as a testimony to the great faithfulness of our forgiving and saving God. As you read his story, be encouraged, be strengthened, be hopeful. God is not done with Tim yet, and neither is He done with you.

Pastor Ed Taylor

Calvary Chapel Aurora

calvaryaurora.org; EdTaylor.org

In this book you will not only find an incredible story of one man’s ongoing triumph over the tragedies of life, but you will also find practical guidelines and the inspiration to empower you to become a victor instead of a victim, a winner instead of a whiner, and a powerful individual instead of someone who feels pitiful. Tim’s life was an inspiration to me in my personal crisis and I am confident it will be the same for you.

Ken Summers

Former Colorado State Representative

Former Executive Director, Teen Challenge of the Rocky Mountains

FOREWORD

L IFE CAN CHANGE IN A moment. We find ourselves living for today, making plans for tomorrow—and then an unexpected phone call, doctor’s report, accident, or illness disrupts our plans and our confidence in the future.

Many years ago while leaving a meeting I received a phone call from my office. A shooting had taken place at Columbine High School. I initially returned to my church office and monitored the crisis on TV. Then I made my way to the Columbine Library and made myself available to parents who were trying desperately to locate their children.

In the weeks that followed, I visited with the parents of an injured student and realized that their world would never be the same. The father learned of the shooting on his way back to Denver from a business trip. He went straight from the airport to the hospital that became the family’s home away from home. In the ensuing weeks, the weight of the crisis became even clearer. As his daughter recovered and learned to deal with her new disability, his wife took her own life.

In July of 2013 my wife and I moved from Lakewood to Fort Collins, Colorado. Just as we settled into our new home, I went to Salt Lake City on business. While there, the fatigue I’d been feeling for several days worsened and I battled a severe headache and chills. Back in Colorado that weekend, I visited a minor emergency clinic. Late Monday, I visited my primary care physician. My temperature was increasing. After resisting the doctor’s recommendation, I finally went to the hospital emergency room.

I had lived as an active, healthy, fit 59-year-old. I enjoyed working out and playing senior softball. This was the first emergency room visit of my life. What followed was almost five months of hospitalization and rehabilitation. The cause was unexpected: West Nile Virus with complications caused by encephalitis and a rare autoimmune disorder known as myasthenia gravis.

The health crisis threatened my life. I was on a respirator and some type of life support for several weeks. I lost forty pounds, including all of my muscle mass. As a result, I lost the use of my arms and legs. I am thankful to be out of the hospital now and on the road to recovery.

As I read Tim Brotzman’s book, I could relate to his story—not only from knowing Tim as a friend, but also through the lens of my personal experience. Tim is one of those guys I have known for so long, I can’t remember when we first met. We have at least kept up with each other on occasion over the years. I remember seeing him early on during his physical challenges. The statement he made then has always stuck with me: Ken, I have a condition, but my condition doesn’t have me!

The pages you are about to read about the crises Tim has faced and the losses he has suffered captivated my attention. What quickly became evident is Tim’s sincere desire to be a source of encouragement and a ray of hope to those who have endured similar challenges, whatever the cause.

Tim’s insight into the impact on the rest of the family is of special significance. When a crisis hits, the entire family is affected. My experience has made this all too plain to me. After less than three months out of the hospital, I went into septic shock. My blood pressure dropped to 40/0, resulting in several days in the local hospital’s ICU unit followed by another stay at Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital.

To be by my side, my family dropped their plans. The effect of my health crisis on their lives was evident. During the months of my original hospitalization, my wife put her nursing job on hold. She spent twelve hours a day at the hospital with me, then went home to manage the rest of what life and home required.

Tim’s willingness to address these issues adds an important dimension to his personal story of surviving multiple setbacks and difficult odds. You will not only be encouraged, but also challenged to consider the setbacks in your life. And you will be given principles to help you be a victor.

You will find the power you need to be an overcomer.

Ken Summers

Colorado State Representative, 2007-2013

PROLOGUE

I T WAS SPRINGTIME IN MORE ways than one. Life was good and getting better. My wife Paula ¹ and I were approaching three decades of wedded bliss. We had two great kids, a home, and a loving church family. Our boys were in high school and had joined a rollerblade hockey league. They loved the game and I loved watching them play. All cylinders seemed to be firing. Our life was on an upward trajectory.

The same was true of my professional life, which seemed powered by its own jet stream. My career had turned in a promising new direction. Paula and I had accomplished a long-cherished goal: we no longer needed a second income. If she wanted to work, she could; but she didn’t have to. Finally, we could check off that box and get on with living the next phase of the dream.

The health insurance company I worked for was terrific, and my book of business was humming. There was no shortage of new contracts, and my residuals were really paying off. My income base was solid and allowed me to kick it up a notch. I branched out from my corner of the market, expanded my licensing, and ventured into business succession planning.

My financial services career seemed unstoppable. But I was blessed with two careers, not one. They seemed unrelated, but I loved them both. Several years earlier, I’d worked as a radio host and program director for a Christian station on the AM dial. In January 1998, the station dropped its Christian format and made a sharp turn to ESPN Radio. The management had a new team in mind and the on-air staff was let go. The turn of events was disappointing, but it ultimately led to the health insurance opportunity that proved so lucrative. It was just like God: He closed one door, and opened another.

The surprise came when He reopened the first door, at the perfect time! Working in the insurance industry gave me tremendous flexibility. My schedule was my own and, as long as I was producing, no one questioned me. Little did I know how valuable the flexibility would be when, out of the blue, a new radio gig opened up. Because of my experience at the Christian station, the top-rated station in the Denver market offered me a part-time, on-call position. I wasn’t sure where all this was headed, but I loved radio, the scheduling worked, and I said yes.

Unexpectedly, the very fluid on-call job firmed up. A personnel matter left a popular all-request program without a host. We were in the middle of an Arbitron book, and I was asked to fill in temporarily. During ratings season, that can be a double-edged sword, but the show trended upward, breaking double-digit market share. The management liked what they saw and asked me to fill in on the noon-to-two show for a while longer. I said yes again and—bingo!—my voice was heard daily throughout Denver. And after five years, I was still filling in!

Having a popular show was fun, but there was an amazing extra twist: the show aired in most of the businesses run by my health insurance clients. Customers would enter my clients’ workplaces and the conversation would end up in, Yeah, that’s the guy who handles our health insurance. You need to talk to him!

And talk to me they did! The advertising was free and I became a known quantity. Referrals dropped out of the airwaves and into my lap. It was an enviable position to be in. Referrals are like gold in the insurance business, but these referrals were pure platinum. Not only did I get the appointment, but I sat down with people who felt like they knew me. They didn’t treat me with the usual skepticism lavished on insurance salespeople. They rolled out the red carpet instead, and purchased the coverage 98.5 percent of the time. The only cases that didn’t close were those considered to be uninsurable.

That kind of closing ratio just doesn’t happen. I was smart enough to know that the favor being heaped upon me was not about me.