My little brother is sick. He is in ICU 3 states away from me. I haven’t seen him since November and certainly haven’t seen him since he went to the hospital yesterday morning. Please pray for his healing and full recovery.
His name is Jacob. He is 29 years old and has had more health issues than most people do by the time they’re 75 years old. He’s diabetic. He’s had open heart surgery. He spent 3 weeks during Christmas in the hospital with a staph infection in his foot. The list goes on. He is now fighting for his life after being found unconcious from seizures over night. There is a lot of poison in his blood from more infection and bacteria in his body. Please pray for his healing and full recovery.
When he arrived to the emergency room yesterday the doctor said he is very very sick and he might not make it. They struggled to get an IV in him, but fortunately were able to put in a pic line so antibiotics could be administered. Last night his fever was up to 107. Ice packs covered his body in attempts to lower his fever. It wasn’t working. They decided to flush icy cold fluid through his stomach to cool him from the inside. Around 3 am this morning, his fever was down to 97. It’s around 102 now. It keeps going up every 15 minutes. Please pray for his healing and full recovery.
My mother drove all day from Georgia to Louisiana to be by his side. He had been sedated to keep him calm, but he did respond to her voice by moving his legs. Since then, he has been fighting to get out of bed, kicking off the ice blankets and moving his arms. He even sat straight up with his eyes open in attempts to get loose. I see that as a good sign. He’s moving, he’s fighting. The nurses increased the dosage for a heavier sedation and tied down his arms and legs. We are waiting on an EEG to determine how much brain activity he has. Please pray for his healing and full recovery.
I’ve never been more scared in my entire life. He’s been in and out of the hospital so many times in the past 7-8 years, but nothing has been more serious than this. I was bracing myself yesterday for the “phone call.” The phone call that told me he didn’t make it. I just sat in the floor praying, and praying, and praying, and praying. My sweet 4 year old Avery came to console me with tissues, water, a blanket, pillows, the TV remote and a book:) She understood I was upset. She told me she would do anything Jesus and I told her to do in order to make me feel better. I asked her to pray, and she did.
As a believer in God, I know the tools to use to keep my mind, heart, and soul focused on HIM in the middle of the chaos. I prayed…in the name of Jesus. I reached out to friends and family to pray. I turned on praise music. I quoted scripture. Because even though I was in shock and felt the rug being pulled out from underneath me, God was not shocked. He was not shaken. He was not broken. He has it together. He knew this would happen. He is my refuge, my fortress, my strength, my peace, my comforter, my breath when I can’t breathe on my own. I focused my attention on him.
The waiting part yesterday was excruciating. Waiting on a phone call. Waiting on a text. Waiting on ANYTHING. I prayed for him to live. I prayed for his heart to keep beating. I prayed he wouldn’t die. Please don’t let him die. Please let me talk to him again. Please don’t take him. More importantly I prayed he wouldn’t be in pain, he wouldn’t be in fear, and he would feel nothing but peace. I don’t want my little brother scared. Please pray for his healing and full recovery.
I know without a doubt God is in control. I know he is near. I know he is the ultimate physician. I know he will provide the peace that passes understanding. I know he tells me do not fear, because he is God and he is with me. I know, I know, I know. So when my spirit is fearful, and my mind starts to worry, I have to speak the truths that I KNOW…and God’s word moves in my soul and brings serenity when I want to scrape the tile off the floors and hide in the ground. It is only God’s word that I have read, over and over again, that keeps me calm and peaceful in a scary time. Life is a war. I have to be trained in my weapons in order to be prepared for the battle. If I don’t know how to fight against worry and turmoil with the WORD OF GOD, (my sword), then I will be defeated mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
I pray that he will recover, I believe can God do it. I also know that God’s will is going to be done. Whatever he knows is best will transpire. I rest in him. I find solace in him. Though the mountains shake and the world around me may crumble, he never changes. I will praise him regardless because he NEVER changes. My praise to his GLORY and GRACE isn’t conditional on whether he answers my prayers or heals my brother’s body. He will be praised and thanksgiving will be given because he is God, and he is awesome.
Isaiah 54:10 “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.”
Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind.”
((EDIT FEB. 18, 2014- If you’d like to follow the updates on Jacob’s condition, please follow Jacob Armstrong Updates on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jacob-Armstrong-Updates/1462759363943006?ref=hl))
Your FAITH will sustain you during this most difficult time, may God continue to hold your family in his arms and his WILL, will be done. I too will pray for peace to be with Jacob so he will not feel alone during his most desperate hours.
Thank you Janet.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and especially Jacob.
This is beautiful. I am praying for peace and comfort for your entire family and specifically for your brother’s recovery.
I’ve been where you are, and still there in a lot of ways. We’re still walking through my dads sickness, going on close to two months now. This is what I’ve known to be true, and found it to hold strong over the past two months.
God is good, period. And he always wants what’s good for us.
Walking in that truth doesn’t necessarily mean it feels good, or looks good, or doesn’t hurt tremendously. But He works all things out for our good. And it’s in the midst of chaos where he holds strong.
I’ll be praying for Jacob, you and your family. I haven’t seen him in years, but man, I can’t recall a single negative.
Ben
Thank you Ben. Your words hit home the strongest bc I know you are still in the middle of it with your dad. I believe what you said and am in agreement with your words and Gods truth. I’ll be praying for your awesome dad too. He’s so inspiring.
Praying for healing and comfort, in the name of Jesus!
I am praying for your brother!!! <3
Reblogged this on Inspiration and commented:
Please pray for this young man. He’s a high school friend of mine that I’ve not seen in a while, but that has no effect on me being in prayer and asking others to do the same.
Thank you Jamie!
You’re welcome!
You’re welcome Paige I can certainly understand the situation you’ll are going through due to everything my family and I went through with my four wheeler accident. if you’ll need anything please let me know.
Praying for you, Jacob, and your family! You truly inspire me, and you are using God’s sword just like we all should! His word is alive, and we should quote scripture everyday and use it like God intended us to use it…to speak truth and healing to our future!! Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen 🙂 God’s Got This!!!
Thank you so much Rachel
Paige, the pictures of Jape Jape are awesome…I just want to reach out and hug him and tell him we are all praying for him.. He is so special to me and always will be…Thanks for sharing this and him with us…Love and prayers will continue to be lifted high…For He is worthy to be Praised…He is God and in Him we can find peace and hope…!! Love you all.
Thank you Mrs. Janice
I’m praying! There is nothing impossible for God! I watched my son fight for his life when he was three weeks old for 10 days…the odds were against him, but God performed a miracle..”Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.” Isaiah 59:1..I will continue to pray!!
Thank you!
Paige, I’ve got Jake in my prayers. Its hard to believe that its been so long since I’ve seen him. It seems like just yesterday we were playing baseball or football together. I know this is a tough situation and it is hard not to be around family, especially when they are in need, but God has a plan for the situation and he will be gloried through it. Again I am praying for Jake, and will lift him up before my church and other believers.
Praying for your brother.
Praying for Jake and the rest of you. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. I love you, sweet girl.
Dear God please I ask you now to touch this man lord…Give him the strength he needs right now god….Lord you are worthy of it god…you have the power to heal…and we believe in you god…we have faith in you…we know what ever be the outcome its in your works for us god…For you are our savior and thou shall not want. God is the best doctor and healer. There is none like him. He hears your prayers. He is here….Gods going to work this for what he thinks is best. God i ask you to let this family have more time with him. Thank you god…In jesus name I pray…Amen….
This story was so touching to me. It gave me chills. I pray for your family and him. I have a brother and id be lost without him, so I know how you feel. God is working….Have faith and be strong. there is no negativity in God we just have to trust and believe.
Praying For Your Brother & Hoping For Good News For All Of You.
We serve a mighty GOD!!! I lost my brother to a five year battle he was the most special man I ever new. He’s the one that won me to Christ. During his battle and now 8 years after his passing many people have been saved through his life and death, There’s no telling how many people that have come to Christ through this battle.God is at work and healing is on the way. May God Bless you and your family through the battle. My Prayers are with y’all .God Bless
Thank you Paul. There is no greater reward than knowing the kingdom of God is impacted through a situation like this. I know this trial will not be in vain because we are giving the a glory to God, regardless of the physical outcome. I pray that the spiritual realm be changed and souls will be won over!!