Breakthrough: A Mother’s Love, A Divine Miracle

Today, we bring you “Breakthrough,” a 2019 film based on the book “The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a Mother's Faith and Her Child's Resurrection” by Joyce Smith with Ginger Kolbaba. It tells the true story of 14-year-old John Smith, adopted from Guatemala and raised in Missouri by Joyce and Brian Smith. In 2015, John fell through an icy lake and spent 15 minutes underwater. His survival became a powerful testament to faith, community, and a mother’s unwavering hope. The room falls silent as staff realize he is gone. Joyce refuses to give up. Just 48 hours earlier, John’s lungs were full of blood, his organs failing, and his brain severely damaged. Two weeks later, John leaves the hospital fully healed.

Tommy admits he almost stopped searching until he heard a voice say, “Go back.” He tells John, “God told me where to find you,” adding that if God is real, then He must have something extraordinary planned for him. Pastor Jason invites everyone who prayed for John to stand, and the entire church rises. Overwhelmed, John weeps, finally embracing how deeply he is loved and worthy. “Breakthrough” is more than a survival story. It is a portrait of faith, family, and perseverance when life defies understanding. Through John’s journey from tragedy to healing, the film invites us to reflect on the power of faith in God, the mystery of Divine intervention, the limits of science, and the unconditional love of a mother who never stops believing.