Late one night a couple of years ago I was driving home from work when suddenly a large black bear stepped into my lane of traffic. It happened so quickly that there was no time whatsoever to avoid a collision. Suddenly there was the sound of a thunderous BAM and the hood of my SUV buckled upward and inward toward my windshield. The force of the collision sent a powerful jolt throughout my body, so much so, that I initially feared injury to my spinal column. Still clinging to the steering wheel, I watched in disbelief as steam began rising from beneath the crumpled hood of my now totaled SUV.

Moments later, the SUV began making loud hissing and crackling sounds while at the same time a strong stench of fluids permeated my nostrils. Afraid the SUV was about to explode into a gigantic orange ball of flaming fire, I quickly tried to exit through the driver’s door. With all my might I tried to open the door, but it wouldn’t open.

Frantically I grabbed my cell phone and called my daughter Joy. In a panic-stricken voice I screamed, “I’m trapped inside my wrecked SUV and I’m afraid it’s going to catch fire!” Though it was midnight, and my call had awakened Joy from a sound sleep, she was immediately alert to my need and in a very authoritative voice she commanded me, “Get out of the SUV!”

“I’ve tried and I’ve tried but the door won’t open.”

“Then get out through the passenger’s door!”

“I can’t! I’m too big! There’s not enough room for me to get my body up and over the center console and around the gearshift” I’m stuck!”

“Mama, you listen to me. I need you. One way or the other you’ve got to get out. Please mama, please … do whatever you have to do, but GET OUT NOW!”

After hearing my daughter’s desperate pleas, I mustered all my strength and endured physical pain to various body parts, as I heaved, pushed, pulled and squeezed my morbidly obese body up, over, and around the center console and gearshift. As soon as my body landed on the passenger’s seat I pushed open the side door and safely exited the vehicle. Though bruised and sore, I was alive!

Thankfully, the SUV did not catch fire. However, make no mistake about it; the time I was trapped inside was terrifying.

Are you a wreck? Are you physically, mentally, or spiritually broken down or worn out? If so, there’s good news. There is a way out of the wreckage and that way is Jesus Christ. God specializes in salvaging wrecked lives. No job is too big for God, not even those lives that appear to be a total loss. Ask God to help you reclaim and recover your life.

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” —Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

Debra Joy Wallace is an inspirational columnist and speaker. For more information, visit www.debrawallace.com where you can sign-up to receive her free newsletter; Good News for Overeaters!