A friend of mine, one of “my girls” from youth church days, spent her last holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year’s in the hospital, fighting for her life.

Falling ill while visiting family out of state, she was rushed to the hospital the morning she and her husband and sons were to return home.

The doctors surmised she had a virus, but they didn’t know what kind. The antibiotics they gave her were new and untested but the only drug they had to combat the mounting and morphing infection.

They had to keep her sedated. More than once her husband was called in the wee hours of the night to come say good-bye.

A local church body came to serve and pray for them. Friends and family were vigilant before God, lifting up her name. In my heart, I knew it wasn’t her time, but I couldn’t understand the point of her ordeal.

In January, she returned home, very weak and tired, with a long journey of recovery ahead of her. She’d lost a lot of weight and strength.

But miracles aren’t new to her life. Right after she was married, the doctor told her she probably would never have children. It would be hard for her to conceive. Little did he know, she was already pregnant. The second son came along soon after.

It was as if God was saying, “Watch this.”

It’s been over six years since her last child. Then she faced this brush with death. But last week, my friend found out she was pregnant.

With twins.

In the natural, it makes no sense. Pregnancy after nearly dying? Twins, to boot? Yet every time I think of this circumstance, a God laugh stirs in my chest.

Isn’t it just like God to give a double portion after we die to ourselves, or face a horrendous battle? Job is our patriarch of losing it all but gaining double in the end.

Jesus, our wise, perfect Leader, tells us in Matthew 19 that with God “all things are possible.”

Yet how often do we spend most of our lives, our spiritual energy, dodging the raindrops of doubt? “God can’t fix my finances, or my mistakes, or mend my broken relationships.”

The psalmist wrote, “He is willing and He is able.”

My friend’s pregnancy is a God whisper: “I give you life and life abundantly.”

So, what raindrops are you dodging? Bad memories? Negative emotions? Lost contracts? Broken relationships? Living from pay check to pay check? Perhaps wondering if, in fact, God does love you?

If God can bless my friend with twins, what can He do for you? You are as loved and as special as she.

She lived through the dark night of the soul. So can you. Don’t give up! Don’t give in. Stand on the promises you know to be true. Here are some ideas on how to cling to God’s Word and promises.

1. Set apart time to be in the Word. Talk to God about what you’re reading. He’s fine if you say, “I don’t understand this. Teach me.”

2. Pray. Talk to Him.

3. Fellowship with others who will stand with you, pray for you, endure with you.

4. Write down God’s promises to your own heart, or what you see written in the Word. Believe them.

5. Change your thinking habits. Instead of rowing with the negative, doubtful thoughts, paddle on the other side. Confess truth. Confess who you are in Christ, not what you are not.

6. Shut out the “noise.” Take time away from entertainment and social media. Settle your soul and spirit.

7. Be thankful. (See Philippians 4:6–8.)

Walking with God is a process. We see that with our brother Job. Even patriarchs like Abraham and Isaac didn’t see the complete fulfillment of God’s promise to them. But they endured to the end.

Paul writes: “I don't know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself” (1 Cor. 9:26–27 MSG).

Run the race of this life to win. Believe for the double portion.