Thursday: "Broken Wings"
Today's WordPoints is again, close to home. I will cut and paste it on this posting.
I see Dr. N today to find out the details of the treatment plan. I am trying not to get my hopes up too high, for he may tell me that I just need to see Dr. Lynn--radiation oncologist to find out the next step. Please pray for me to be patient with Dr. N and to hold my tongue!
It is ironic how Pastor Paul challenged us this week to make a list of things we need to change in order to do what and live how God wants us to live. A kind State Policeman helped me add another thing to my list last night...I got a ticket--warning! The first one that I've ever had. I felt bad that he had to stand outside in the cold because I screwed up! He was much kinder than I deserved. I failed to yield at a light...big no,no! Don't recommend it to anyone! When he returned my license he said he hadn't looked at my license initially and asked if Steve Myers was my dad. I wasn't sure how to answer that---could help me could hurt me? (just kidding Dad). Then I sobbed like a baby when he let me go... why do we do that??? Embarrassement? I think I drove 40 mph all the way home!
WordPoints: February 8th 2007
Broken Wings
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches,in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake.For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10
One of the most difficult kinds of weakness to endure is physical disability. Even for the person of extraordinary spiritual strength, it is hard to keep a positive focus on God when the body is not able to function normally or is racked with pain. We understand, at least in theory, that spiritual concerns are more important than physical ones, but the fact is, our bodies are the instruments through which our spirits must do most of their work. When the instrument is broken, it isn't easy to maintain joy and give thanks. What, then, should be our attitude toward physical impairments or diseases, especially those of a serious nature?
We should "go to the balcony" and look at each day from a larger perspective. If, for whatever reason, today is difficult, the thing we must always do is to see today against the backdrop of eternity. Today's truth may be hard to bear, but it's never the whole truth.
We should give thanks, if not for the pain, at least for the progress it produces in our character. There is no more challenging text in the New Testament than James 1:2,3, which says, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." The testing is not pleasant, and none of us should be so naive as to suggest that the physical sufferer should just smile and be happy. Yet if suffering bathes our hearts in humility and reminds us to lean on God, it has done us a significant favor. "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities," Paul could say, ". . . for when I am weak, then I am strong."
We should understand that our troubles are not unique. Paul also wrote, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man" (1 Corinthians 10:13). There may be no one in our personal experience who has had to endure what we are enduring, but that doesn't mean no one ever has. Whatever our affliction, there are others who've coped with it -- and some who've coped with worse. Truth to tell, every person we've ever met is hurting in some way. Some become bitter, while others become better.
I thank God for my handicaps; for, through them,I have found myself, my work, and my God.
Helen Keller
I see Dr. N today to find out the details of the treatment plan. I am trying not to get my hopes up too high, for he may tell me that I just need to see Dr. Lynn--radiation oncologist to find out the next step. Please pray for me to be patient with Dr. N and to hold my tongue!
It is ironic how Pastor Paul challenged us this week to make a list of things we need to change in order to do what and live how God wants us to live. A kind State Policeman helped me add another thing to my list last night...I got a ticket--warning! The first one that I've ever had. I felt bad that he had to stand outside in the cold because I screwed up! He was much kinder than I deserved. I failed to yield at a light...big no,no! Don't recommend it to anyone! When he returned my license he said he hadn't looked at my license initially and asked if Steve Myers was my dad. I wasn't sure how to answer that---could help me could hurt me? (just kidding Dad). Then I sobbed like a baby when he let me go... why do we do that??? Embarrassement? I think I drove 40 mph all the way home!
WordPoints: February 8th 2007
Broken Wings
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches,in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake.For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10
One of the most difficult kinds of weakness to endure is physical disability. Even for the person of extraordinary spiritual strength, it is hard to keep a positive focus on God when the body is not able to function normally or is racked with pain. We understand, at least in theory, that spiritual concerns are more important than physical ones, but the fact is, our bodies are the instruments through which our spirits must do most of their work. When the instrument is broken, it isn't easy to maintain joy and give thanks. What, then, should be our attitude toward physical impairments or diseases, especially those of a serious nature?
We should "go to the balcony" and look at each day from a larger perspective. If, for whatever reason, today is difficult, the thing we must always do is to see today against the backdrop of eternity. Today's truth may be hard to bear, but it's never the whole truth.
We should give thanks, if not for the pain, at least for the progress it produces in our character. There is no more challenging text in the New Testament than James 1:2,3, which says, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." The testing is not pleasant, and none of us should be so naive as to suggest that the physical sufferer should just smile and be happy. Yet if suffering bathes our hearts in humility and reminds us to lean on God, it has done us a significant favor. "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities," Paul could say, ". . . for when I am weak, then I am strong."
We should understand that our troubles are not unique. Paul also wrote, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man" (1 Corinthians 10:13). There may be no one in our personal experience who has had to endure what we are enduring, but that doesn't mean no one ever has. Whatever our affliction, there are others who've coped with it -- and some who've coped with worse. Truth to tell, every person we've ever met is hurting in some way. Some become bitter, while others become better.
I thank God for my handicaps; for, through them,I have found myself, my work, and my God.
Helen Keller
posted by Rebecca at
7:15 AM
1 Comments:
Becca, what a beautiful devotional. I am sitting here crying because I feel like such a wretched soul, thinking of the times when I have been a complainer and a whiner. Your blog has been such a great inspiration to us all. You are so open and honest, something that most people find very hard to do.
We had prayer meeting last night and the whole group prayed for you. You are a regular on our list. Everyone asks about you on Wednesday evening. Prayer IS powerful and we are still praying for a miracle.
I cried, too, when you said that you were crying after the policeman let you go. That would have been me, too. And, I'm sure, him knowing your Dad helped.
I will be praying for you today as you go to the doctor, praying for good news. Hugs, Karen
By
Karen, at 10:22 AM
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home