Amber Sirstad MA - When Life Hurts: Real Experiences. Real Pain.

REAL EXPERIENCES. REAL PAIN.

WHEN LIFE
HURTS

AMBER SIRSTAD, MA

Copyright 2016 Amber Sirstad, MA.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-6563-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-6564-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-6562-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016919470

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/08/2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I am honored to respond to Amber Sirstads invitation to introduce you to her book, When Life Hurts: Real Experiences. Real Pain . I have known Amber the past two years as a graduate student in Corban Universitys clinical mental health counseling program, where I served as her faculty instructor and advisor. We have held many discussions about her trials and triumphs with pain and suffering and how God has always been at her side through it all. Though our time together has been brief, it has been an incredible joy to work with Amber, who brings optimism, humility, and delightful enthusiasm to those in her circle of influence. Her book will most certainly enlarge this circle by encouraging many others with clues on navigating survivorship in the midst of the storms of life.

Amber, a 26-year-old author, recorded musician, and, most recently, mental health counselor graduate, writes from the heart with poignant honesty and a twist of humor. Her life stories include living with two potentially fatal diseases that will grab your attention and cause you to dig deep and to reflect upon your own life challenges. She shares her personal thoughts on the gnawing question of why she has to suffer such significant medical problems at such a young age with many dreams yet to accomplish. Amber describes her deep convictions and personal relationship with Jesus, her anchor who has provided peace and strength in the midst of her lifes storms. She sprinkles in short stories of close friends painful life and death journeys, painting a broader landscape of human survivorship.

Ambers concluding thoughts in When Life Hurts: Real Experiences. Real Pain suggest that through perseverance, dedication, and hard work, you can chase after your dreams and even fulfill them when you invite God to be involved. Sit in a favorite chair with your cup of coffee or sweet tea while you step into Ambers journey full of surprises, laughter, and tears, and experience her encouragement as you discover you are not alone in your suffering.

Linda Uhl Keller, PhD.

Associate Professor

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

Corban University

Everyone experiences pain to some magnitude. We are just like everyone elseuntil it h appens to us. Of course we, as humans, have the tendency to compare ourselves amongst ourselves. We dont like to feel sorry for ourselves because our brother or sister next to us is seemingly going through something much worse. However, with that mindset, we cant fully heal from our emotional and mental wounds. Its okay to admit that you are in pain. Its okay to admit that you have those days when it appears as though everything that could go wrong went wrong.

If at any time, while reading this book, an experience or memory comes to the forefront of your mind, I encourage you to write it down. And who knows, you might see that you have the makings of a wonderful book that can help others who are experiencing real hurt.

I have heard of life being compared to a roller coaster. It starts out slow and picks up momentum. There are ups and downs. There are times when you feel like everything has just been flipped upside down. There are times when you cant stop laughing and then there are times when you feel as though your heart is quickly being pulled out of your chest. Or what about life being compared to a tornado? Tornados are known to cause mass destruction. You cant control what a tornado does. When crisis happens, life seems like mass chaos. You have no control. Life as you know it becomes completelymessy. Those are the times that I want to talk aboutthe times when it feels like you have been stabbed in the heart with a twelve-inch bladethe times when life hurts.

GodFor giving me the strength to pursue my dreams and for being my Rock that I so desperately need. Dr. Keller
For your support and willingness to help in whatever way you could. Corban FamilyFor showing me the true meaning
of empathy. ContributorsFor reaching deep down into the
secret places of your heart and sharing with the world part of your pain and suffering.

CHAPTER 1

EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED

One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.

Helen Keller

I t was an early summer morning in the beginning of August 2009. The weather was beautifulthat is if you were fortunate to have air conditioning. I woke up on Saturday morning, not knowing how my life would change. I made my way to my fathers office as I had this deep intense theological question I wanted to ask him. I sat down for about ten minutes not saying a word. I finally posed the question that had been percolating through my mind for quite some time. I asked, Dad, how on earth am I supposed to speak at Ladies Conferences if I dont have any stories?! At that point my main story was that I came from a home where my parents were divorced. I also was diagnosed with asthma when I was two years old and have struggled with my breathing ever since. I cant just go around and tell the same stories all of the time. His answer was not as deep as I had anticipated. His reply was, WellI suppose you could always ask God to give you stories. Wow. I never thought of that. What a great but simple idea.

I sat for another five minutes in complete silence. I made my way back to my bedroom to get ready for the day. I said a very simple, quick, 10-second prayer, God, please give me some stories so I can be able to relate better to people. Please and thanks. I am thankful that God hears our simple prayers. But I wish that He skipped over our un-thought-through prayers at times. However, He doesnt.

Thirty minutes later I got in my car and headed north towards the freeway. Once I was on the freeway, I immediately went into the left lane. I had the windows down and the music blaring. The song that was playing was You Are My Hiding Place by the Christian music group Selah. I was going about seventy miles per hour, and all of the sudden something very unexpected happened.

My hood flew up and slammed against my windshield. For about two seconds, everything stopped.

What in the world just happ ened!?

I was brought back to reality when it hit me that I had lost all visual. The impact of the slam had turned my rear view mirror as well as my two side mirrors. I could see nothing except the color of my hood that blanketed my entire windshield.