There are no coincidences.
When we decided to begin a ministry, one of the first things that we asked ourselves was: What are we going to call it?
We needed the name to match our vision for the ministry. After a few weeks of frustration, we agreed that the name will come when we least expect it and that we will know when it’s the right name. Our answer was to pray about it.
It was not long after this that Bryan viewed a video on YouTube called “A Call to Anguish”. This video is an excerpt of a message preached by David Wilkerson. Bryan forwarded the link to Shayla, who responded, “Anguish. I think there is something to that word.” Shayla looked up the definition of anguish, and it described exactly how we felt when our marriage and lives had reached their lowest point.
watch the video that inspired the name behind Anguished Hearts
Anguished Hearts was born.
We knew that God had placed the name for us at exactly the right time. The final affirmation came when we remembered Psalm 55:4.
My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
The day after Shayla learned of the affair, Bryan read this verse for the first time on October 3, 2006 after brushing the dust off of a Bible that was a wedding gift nearly 7 years prior.
There are no coincidences in life. God has a plan for each and every one of us. While Anguished Hearts launched in 2015, God created this ministry in 2006 when we were in anguish. This ministry began when we were in deep pain and sorrow.
[ANGUISH]
Noun: severe mental or physical pain or suffering
Verb: be extremely distressed about something
During the most difficult times in our lives, our hearts have been in anguish (n). Now our hearts are in anguish (v) for others who are in the midst of their own anguish. Our hearts are in anguish for the lost. We are in anguish for those that have not experienced the one true living God: Jesus Christ.
Maybe you are in a season of anguish. Our prayer is that you find hope in Jesus. Maybe you are in anguish for those who do not know Jesus. Either way, you are here for a reason at the exact moment that you need to be.
