My oldest daughter died of heart disease twenty years ago. While she was in the Intensive Care Unit, another young girl was admitted. This young girl had been playing chicken with a friend, attempting to cross the street before traffic approached. The friend made it to the curb, but she didn’t.

My family and I were standing outside of ICU doors when her mother came out with a dazed look in her eyes and a face wet with tears. I was compelled to comfort this mother, despite my own distress. We formed a circle around her and prayed. We were both strengthened. I had no knowledge of my call to minister to hurting women back then. But it emerged at the right place and the right time.

I was compelled to comfort this mother, despite my own distress. We formed a circle around her and prayed. We were both strengthened..

That moment of ministry was an image of church at Philadelphia. I had little strength, but kept the Word of God and did not deny His name during that situation. Because of their faithfulness, the church at Philadelphia received encouragement from Jesus. It is a word that can encourage all of us in our walk with Him.