Show notes
What do you do when you're facing an impossible situation and all you can do is pray for a miracle?
Episode Summary
When Abbie Wentzel went into labor with her third child, she never imagined that what began as a long-awaited birth story would quickly become a desperate fight for her daughter's life. After a remarkably fast delivery, Lily was born without a detectable heart rate, was not breathing, and had suffered severe oxygen deprivation. She was later diagnosed with HIE, was fighting a serious infection and septic shock, and faced a long list of life-threatening complications.
But Abbie and her husband, Brandon, refused to stop praying.
As Lily's condition became critical, friends, family, churches, and even people around the world began praying for a miracle. Abbie shares what it was like to trust God while being told that her daughter might not survive, how she learned to hope even when she feared the worst, and what happened as Lily slowly began to overcome one impossible obstacle after another.
This conversation is for the woman who is exhausted from fighting, afraid to hope, or wondering where God is in the middle of an impossible situation. Abbie's story will encourage you to bring your honest pain to God, keep praying when you cannot see the outcome, and remember that you do not have to fight alone. Even in the darkest valley, God is present, faithful, and able to do more than we can imagine.
Meet Abbie Wentzel
Abbie Wentzel is a wife, mom, and storyteller who shares the powerful story of her daughter Lily's miraculous recovery after a life-threatening birth and devastating medical complications. Abbie studied English creative writing at Western Washington University and later earned a master's degree in business with an emphasis in social entrepreneurship. In this conversation, she opens up about one of the hardest experiences her family has ever faced—and the faith, prayer, community, and hope that carried them through it.
Her story offers an honest look at what it means to trust God when the future feels frightening and uncertain, while reminding us that God can meet us in the places where we feel most desperate and powerless.
Key Takeaways
- When you're afraid to hope because you could be disappointed: Learn how to bring your worst fears honestly to God while still believing that He is good.
- When you're facing an impossible situation: Remember that you don't have to see the whole path ahead to take the next step of faith.
- When prayer feels like the only thing you can do: Be encouraged by the power of unified prayer and the difference it can make when people come together to seek God.
- When you're exhausted from fighting: Discover what it means to trust that God can fight for you when you have nothing left.
- When you feel alone in your pain: Remember Abbie's encouragement that God is present with you in the "well," not waiting for you to climb out by yourself.
How This Episode Will Encourage You
If you're fighting a battle you never asked for, you don't have to figure out the future today. God is with you in this moment, and He will give you what you need for the next step. Keep bringing Him your honest pain, keep praying, and don't give up.
If this episode gives you hope, would you take a moment to subscribe to the Collide Podcast, leave a review, or share it with a woman who may need the reminder that she is not alone? Your support helps more women find conversations about faith, healing, and hope.
You can watch a video about Abbie and her family’s story at: facebook.com/whitewaterchurch/videos/2007332382892806/
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