Shannon Stiff
Pastor's Wife
Lighthouse Baptist Church
Flint, MI
How I keep smiling after the trials I’ve been through!
My name is Shannon and I was raised in a Christian home. My dad was a Pastor for over 30 years. I have had a wonderful life, but there have been many trials that have come my way. For example when I was newly married I got a call one evening that my brother and sister and sister in law had been in a major car accident. We rushed over to my parents house and my sister said my mom and dad had rushed out to the scene when they heard the sirens so close to their house and upon arrival realized it was their son and daughter in the accident. We waited for what seemed an eternity and then my mom and dad came home. They said Stacey didn’t survive. They watched as they pulled Stacey out of the car. My dad had seen enough deer killed with their limp bodies that he knew Stacey was dead immediately when seeing her. Stacey had just turned 14 years old. My brother made it and he was very badly beat up and my sister in law had to be air lifted to a major hospital in another city. She had many complications for years after. She barely survived herself. That accident was so tragic for our family. It took my mom and dad many years to feel like they could smile again after that. I remember crying everyday for six months after that accident.
Then just a few years later I was driving down Highway 5 and a lady who was high on Meth swerved over into my lane and hit me head on at 70 miles per hour. My one and two year olds were in the car with me. They were both in car seats, but my two year old broke her ankle and had a scratch on her liver. My tough one year old was fine. I on the other hand had a broken femur, fractured ribs and a collapsed lung. They took me to a different hospital than my kids. I was immediately knocked out when we crashed and I awoke to a nice neighbor calming my kids until the ambulances arrived. On the way to the hospital I overheard EMT’s saying how they didn’t think I was going to make it. I remembered having a peace in my heart that I was going to go to heaven. Well, my dad gets the call that we have been in this accident and runs down to tell my husband about the accident. They were both at the church working at the time. They all rush to the car and go to both of the hospitals to see how we were doing. I can’t even imagine what my mom and dad were thinking after already losing a child. I was in intensive care for a week and in the hospital total for two weeks. I had to learn to walk again. I limped for six months after that and had to use a walker. I was in my twenties. How embarrassing! We all recovered, but what an ordeal.
Then just about three years ago. We heard the news that rocked me and my family’s world. My dad had committed some sins throughout his ministry that caught up with him and he forfeited the ministry. What a shock! That was the hardest thing me and my family has ever gone through. So, I guess you could say that I have been through a lot.
My goal has always been to keep a good attitude in everything! I learned through all of this to lift my God up and Praise Him continuously! Here are some things that have helped me get through these tough times.
1. I read my Bible and pray mostly everyday! I say mostly everyday, because I am human and honest. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
2. I laugh as much as I possibly can! Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
3. I realize God works everything out for our own good! Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.
4. I praise God all throughout my day everyday! Psalm 86:12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify the name for evermore.
5. I choose to dwell on good things only and work on solutions to problems. Phil. 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
6. I will not worry about problems and I will only pray about them. Phil. 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God.
I hope this helps someone who may be going through something tough right now. The Lord will get you through it. Remember God is our strength and refuge. God loves you and I very much and wants to help us in our time of need! Have a great day ladies!
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