The Joy of Believing: A Testimony of God's Saving Grace

By Eva Leigh Bailey

This book is a message meant to give as much encouragement to all who are in the midst of trials and challenges. This book will show you what the Lord can do if we only believe and put our trust in Him. If we practice these things, we will welcome His rescue. Life will always be full of joy and challenges and disappointments. If you look to our Lord, you will see what He will do, no matter the circumstances, to bring you to a better place with a better understanding of His power. Lean on Him; His yoke is easy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9781638853923

Book preview

Chapter 1

A Beautiful Day

This was a beautiful morning. The air was crisp, and the blue in the sky was exceptional. It just seemed bluer than ever before. My husband, Peter, had an elective colonoscopy scheduled for nine that morning. We gathered ourselves, and out the door we went to be on time for his appointment.

The procedure went well, and the doctor remarked that Peter had the cleanest colon in Richmond. We left the hospital for home with no worries. Peter was starving, and food was the only thing that encompassed his thoughts. I did my best to quench his insatiable appetite. He rested off the entire day in between his eating. What a day!

The next morning, I was preparing for work. I had an early schedule and all seemed to be well, so I was going through the motions. Suddenly, Peter called out to me, I need some help. I’m having so much pain I feel like I’m having a baby. So quickly I ran to Peter, and he proceeded to show me where the pain was. With that, I immediately called work to let them know that I had an emergency and that I would not be in. I quickly gathered Peter up and raced out the door to the emergency room. I knew he was in big trouble. The colon doctor, Dr. Mark, was there to greet us upon entering the emergency room. He was more than aware that Peter was suffering with a perforated colon.

Dr. Mark assured me that he had contacted a surgeon. The best one, he said. Dr Mark had the fear of God in his eyes.

Dr. Mark was devastated as I was.

Peter’s temperature was rising by the minute. I stood by his bedside and proclaimed to him that he was in no danger and that the doctors were going to help him. There is a top surgeon on his way. I’m sure the look on my face was of care and concern, but I know he could sense my fear and anxiety. I prayed.

For God is my strength in the midst of my personal panic. The Bible tells us, The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped (Psalm 28:7).

It seemed like almost immediately, a man of small stature buzzed into Peter’s room. He said to Peter, Don’t you worry. You and I are taking a trip to the operating room in about five minutes. We are going to rectify the problem you are experiencing. Talk about shock and awe.

I don’t think this was comforting to Peter for he was in great distress. I tried my best to console Peter and at the same time, I was asking myself if that would be the last time I would see Peter alive. Everything was moving so fast. Peter’s temperature was elevating by the second.

The surgeon, Dr. Paul, took my hand and lead me outside of Peter’s room to discuss what was coming next. He said, Your husband is going septic. I will reverse this process surgically, and it will take four to five hours. I will see you after surgery. The doctor promptly turned on his heels and sped to the operating room.

The next thing that I knew, they were prepping my husband for surgery. I went back to Peter’s room to reassure him everything was going to be fine. This doctor is going to make you well again, I said. While speaking to Peter, my mind was saying, is this the last time I will see my husband? I was trying to show steadfast calm so he couldn’t see how frightened I really was. I don’t think that given the condition he was in, he would have even noticed my state of mind.

I thanked God for helping me to be strong. I could never have made it through without the love of my Savior, Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us, I can do everything thru him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).

Chapter 2

Waiting

Dr. Mark, the one who performed the colonoscopy, took me by the hand as they took my husband to the operating room. He had never left my husband Peter’s side since we arrived in the emergency room. Dr. Mark led me to the waiting area while never letting go of my hand. The Bible tells us, Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27).

We sat down, and Dr. Mark proceeded to explain to me who Peter’s surgeon was. Dr. Mark’s compassion was very needed during this time. Dr. Paul, the colon specialist who was presently working on my husband, was written up in medical journals as one of the top colorectal surgeons on the East Coast. Dr. Mark said this doctor is one of the best of the best. He assured me, even though Peter’s surgery was very complicated, that the task at hand was equal to Dr. Paul’s expertise and surgical skills. Dr. Mark never left my side that day. The four-and-a-half-hour surgery was in progress, and I and Dr. Mark prayed together. The Bible tells us, In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete (John 16:23–24). Dr. Mark would continue to stay with me, only stepping away briefly to find out the progress of Peter’s surgery. He was doing his very best to keep me calm and reassured me that everything would turn out well. I’m sure Dr. Mark was personally at his lowest point feeling devastated by his mistake with Peter’s colonoscopy.

Dr. Paul communicated with Dr. Mark every hour with updates, and he expressed his satisfaction with the procedure and its progress.

I don’t know how to express how grateful I was to have Dr. Mark by my side thru this ordeal. I knew he was a man of great faith, and that alone gave me great solace.

My elderly mother lived about thirty miles from the hospital and was caring for our dog Fripouille. I assure you that I did not want my mother to go thru this ordeal with me. I decided to call mom after the surgery was complete to let her know he was doing fine.

God is good! He gave my husband, Peter, an excellent surgeon and gave me a faith-filled doctor by my side during one of the biggest trials of my life. For the joy of the Lord is your strength.

The surgery was over, and Dr. Paul came to see me. He said, "Peter did very well, and I am grateful that he is a very healthy man. He will be a very successful patient and will recover well from this procedure. His recovery will be lengthy, but I feel he will come out of this as a whole and healthy, fully-recovered man. You may see your husband as soon as he comes