I hadn't mentioned to my doctor that I was having rapid heart beats that were occurring unpredictably, above the range of 180 per minute and lasting up to an hour. Feelings of nausea and exhaustion followed, and I later learned that the episodes were like running marathon races back-to-back.

I had made a doctor's appointment, and at the doctor's office, the nurse took my vitals and gave them to my doctor, who then came rushing into the examination room, saying, "I have got to call the paramedics to take you to the hospital. Your heart is beating way too fast!" I assured her that I would be fine and that this wasn't the first time that this had happened. At her insistence, I finally gave in, and the paramedics arrived. The chief paramedic said that my heartbeat was over 200 pulses per minute and that they would have to lower it before transporting me to the hospital. He explained that they would do that with two injections: one to stop my heart and the other to restart it.

I carry an orange "Do Not Resuscitate" paper, and it was very important to me that if the procedure were unsuccessful, I did not want to be resuscitated.

Wanting to pray beforehand, I asked if any of them knew Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. The chief paramedic boldly spoke up and said, "I do." Hallelujah! Was I ever blessed to hear that!

Many paramedics were in the room, and they all respectfully removed their hats and bowed their heads as I prayed, "Dear Lord, they are talking about stopping and restarting my heart, and that is Your department. If what they do doesn't work, I've asked that they do not resuscitate me. Whatever happens, Lord, I want You to know that I am Yours, and that my heart belongs to You."

The procedure that they performed successfully lowered my heartbeat and returned it to normal.

At the hospital, I was diagnosed with adult supraventricular tachycardia. I was placed under the care of a cardiologist, who prescribed me medication and released me that same day.

Months later, further testing revealed that I had a genetic disorder that didn't show up until later in life. To fix the problem, I had a heart ablation procedure, and I have not had the problem since.

I realize that we all respond differently to different situations, but with the paramedics, what gave me strength and courage was knowing that Jesus was raised in victory over death at His glorious resurrection, and He has promised the same thing to me and to all who believe in Him.

After Martha's brother Lazarus died, Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26 NIV)

Let us praise our Saviour today that His tomb is empty! Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb because He knew that it would be used only temporarily. Let us praise Him for His resurrection, "because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." (Acts 2:24b NIV)

Prayer: Jesus, thank You that we find such peace, comfort, and assurance, knowing the power of Your resurrection. Death could not keep You in the grave, and death cannot keep those who know You there, either! Amen.

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About the author:

Cheryl Mariano (Cheremiah) <cherylmariano@gmail.com>
Casa Grande, Arizona, USA
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