What to Grab in an Emergency

When life throws an emergency our way, we all have instincts about what to grab first: our phone, our wallet, maybe our medications.

But for one of our recovery group members, “Mark”, that list included something unexpected—his copy of The Dunamis Effect.

Mark is in his 40s and has been facing multiple health challenges, including severe asthma. Most days, he manages it with an inhaler and some rest. But sometimes his symptoms spiral out of control so quickly that he can’t even drive himself to the hospital. That’s when he calls 911 and our amazing first responders step in.

Recently, Mark’s asthma flared up so badly that he needed an ambulance ride to the ER. He knew he’d likely be spending a night or two in the hospital. But before the EMS team loaded him in, he looked at them and said something they probably hadn’t heard before:

“Can you grab my Dunamis book too?”

Mark snapped a quick photo from the stretcher—a moment that perfectly captured what it means to hold onto your faith when life feels out of control.

Two Battles, One Solution

Mark isn’t just battling asthma. He’s also walking the difficult road of recovery from alcoholism.

After spending 30 days in inpatient treatment, Mark began a new chapter of sobriety. But like so many others, he left rehab still clinging to one addiction: smoking. Studies show that those who continue to smoke after stopping alcohol have up to a 30% higher risk of relapse (NIDA).

In Mark’s case, smoking isn’t just a temptation. It’s a direct threat to his life, especially with his asthma.

That’s what makes his choice to grab The Dunamis Effect so powerful. It’s a reminder that recovery is about more than avoiding one substance. It’s about surrendering every area of our lives to Christ.

Taking Life on Life’s Terms

There’s a phrase often used in recovery circles: “Taking life on life’s terms.”

For those of us in recovery, that means recognizing that we can’t control everything—not our health, not our circumstances, not even the storms that hit us out of nowhere.

But we can control one thing: our decision to rely on God.

The Serenity Prayer puts it best:

“God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.”

When emergencies strike, what we reach for first says a lot about what we rely on most.

Mark’s story is a beautiful example of faith in action—a man literally clinging to the source of his recovery as he’s wheeled into an ambulance.

Good job, Mark. Get well soon, brother.

And to all of us, let’s make sure that when life’s alarms go off, we’re reaching first for the One who holds our peace.

Want to experience the power of faith-based recovery for yourself?
If you’re ready to grow in faith and experience the power of Christ-centered recovery, explore these resources from The Dunamis Initiative:

• Download Chapter 1 of The Dunamis Effect — Get a free preview of the book that’s helping people move beyond sobriety toward lasting spiritual transformation.
  Download Free Chapter →
• Read About The Dunamis Effect — Discover how this faith-based approach to the 12 Steps can change your recovery journey.
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• Explore The Dunamis Effect Companion Workbook — Apply the principles of faith-based recovery through guided reflection and exercises.
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• Check Out Prayers & Promises of A.A. — A spiritual companion that pairs scripture with the foundational principles of the 12 Steps.
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Your next step toward healing could start with one of these books. Each one is designed to help you build strength, grow in faith, and discover the transforming power of Christ-centered recovery.