A Life of Multiple Trials—What I Learned While Being Healed in Heaven
Lessons from a life shaped by hardship and a visit to Heaven.
What happens when life doesn’t just knock you down once… but keeps swinging?
Julie Bonn Blank, Heaven Blog can tell you. She is the modern day female Job. Afflicted with many trials but staying faithful to God. Just like the old story goes in the Bible (See Job in the Old Testament).
Resilience became her companion when it wasn’t an option. A thing she had to master and overcome, and it didn’t come lightly. Her story consists of hardships, difficulties, questioning God, and wondering what she would do next.
But somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, something unexpected happened. An experience that she will never forget, a near death experience, when her heart stopped.
This story involves:
Accidents.
Medical Crisis
Job loss.
Bills you can’t pay.
And nights you sit in silence wondering
If you’ve ever looked at a family and thought, How are they still standing after all of that? Then you want to read this.
Sometimes the trials that feel like they’re destroying us… are actually the ones God uses to prepare your heart for Heaven.
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Before We Continue…
If you want to read more of her story, or stories similar to hers, order Routed To Heaven!
AND, please join us on Substack Live, 3/11 at 1pm Pacific/2pm Mountain/3pm Central/4pm Eastern to hear more.
I called them the Job Families in an article that I wrote for ‘Leadership Journal’ that Christianity Today formerly published. The article recommended words and actions for pastors and leaders who serve families that seem to experience numerous trials.
I could relate. All within fifteen years, struggles included (but were not limited to) my firstborn birthed eleven weeks early due to preeclampsia (they told my family they could save our little two pounder but not me), my second baby born full term (but blue and not breathing), a spouse becoming permanently disabled and addicted to opiates, a car accident (causing two years of my own disability and chronic ongoing pain), a few dips into self-medicating, dealing with a predatory lender who purchased our mortgage and sought to own the whole block, job loss, moving into a travel trailer where we survived with two kids and two large dogs at several relative’s mercy, multiple bankruptcies, public assistance and more. Later came much more than I thought I could ever bear–I cannot speak of it all publicly.
I wrote the article because I sensed my own friend’s and ministry leader’s inner battle, even as they provided what help they could. “Do we say ‘hang in there, sister. The Lord is still near?’” (insert pat, pat, pat on shoulder here, plus a big ‘ole hug).
What could I even say to myself? I felt like I was drowning.
Always somewhat involved in serving, when I decided to make healthier choices for my children and me and work diligently on my healing, God plopped me into leading more ministry than I ever thought possible.
Although life in the last several years has greatly settled, God planned more. A year and a half ago, He vaulted me up to Heaven when I died from an allergic reaction. And He changed my world.
In front of me wavered a gold cloud, with people behind it. Soft, short grass made my toes feel like they wore the most comfortable slippers ever. I experienced a show of kaleidoscope panels celebrating Him and me. The colors were unlike any I had ever seen. Rays of light danced, and I saw prayers from earth shooting up like fireworks in the form of light rays vaulted from slingshots. Jesus spoke to me in a beautiful, heart-melting baritone. Later, He told me that we walked and talked even more, but that He would reserve some of those memories for a specific purpose.
After standing in Heaven with Him, I realized how much He individualized my experience. I never tunneled up–I am claustrophobic. And He held me on the way back down. I arrived to a muted but commanding stillness–quietness I later learned was holy silence. He speaks more to me in silence because on earth, I am a busy person and can mimic the Energizer Bunny at times. He wanted to ensure that I absorbed the most important piece–His words.
More memories keep returning as He promised–He waited to reveal some as I wrote ‘Routed to Heaven.’ Then I thought we were done, but He continues to tell me new ones as I now write the Study Guide.
One recent memory that made me weep with awe and joy was what He shared about my time in a Job Family: ‘My daughter, you suffered continual trials because you are especially chosen.’
Wait, what? Multiple verses tumbled through my head. You know, those ones that say, ‘He caused…’ or ‘He brought…?’ Ones I had always read as ‘Satan really did this, but He obviously allowed it. Errr – He must have had a reason!’
‘You were chosen for my impact. Because of your faith, trials, your choice to work hard on your healing and because you then obeyed and stepped into the roles I created for you, you have impacted thousands with my words, your stories and your experienced wisdom. You brought hope, healing and Heaven to my people and will continue. You honor me.’
How humbled and honored am I!
Conclusion
Looking back over the many years of hardship, it would be easy to see only the pain. Yet the story did not end in despair.
Through every hardship, Julie continued to press forward in faith, even when the path ahead felt uncertain.
Standing in Heaven, experiencing the presence of Christ, she was given a perspective she had never known before. What once felt like relentless suffering was reframed as something far more meaningful. The trials she endured were not meaningless. They were part of a calling—one that allowed her story, her faith, and her perseverance to touch the lives of thousands.
Christian Hotline & Prayer Support
If you’re struggling or need someone to pray with you, please reach out:
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988
Focus on the Family Prayer Line: 1-877-771-4357
The 700 Club Prayer Line: 1-800-700-7000
Chatnow (24/7 Christian Chat & Prayer):
https://chatnow.org
Call to Repentance
If you’ve been trying to earn your way into heaven, it’s time to stop striving and start surrendering. Today can be the day everything changes.
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Don’t wait for a better moment. Turn from your sin, believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and receive the gift of eternal life.
He is calling—respond to Him today.
Call to Action
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Let’s walk this journey of faith together.
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