AL: What possible reason God could have had in mind when He allowed this disability of yours to occur?
JONI: Oh, that’s a good question, because people look at my paralyzed legs and my hands, and I know they are wondering, they are thinking, “What in the world was God doing when He allowed your accident, Joni?!”
AL: So… are there reasons?
JONI: Well, I’m convinced there are, Al. And as a quadriplegic, I am not ashamed to say so. And you know, you don’t have to be in a wheelchair like me. You can gain encouragement from some of those reasons, no matter what your difficulties.
AL: So, let’s get to the bottom line. What are those reasons?...
JONI: Well, I am convinced that first the Lord wants you and me (with all our pain, with all our problems), He wants us to get other people thinking about Him. People who don’t know Christ are curious as to why Christians who suffer trust in and even enjoy God. I mean, some people aren’t curious at all; they’re scoffers! They think, “Oh, those handicapped people need religion.”
AL: Ah, but the Bible says, “God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
JONI: And that’s the point. Friend listening, when you aspire to show faith – in the middle of all your afflictions – then unbelievers, they notice that, and they are put to shame. Their puffed-up pride is deflated. Thankfully, this is exactly where God wants them to be if they are to trust Christ for themselves.
AL: Okay, that sounds good and makes good sense, but how about another reason?
JONI: Well, I think another reason God allows our afflictions, my quadriplegia, is that He wants us to hunger for heaven. Look, people who suffer have, more than most, a longing for “things the way they ought to be.” In heaven, Christians like me will gain back all we gave lost, and so much more. Suffering or grief or loss lifts our sights and helps us fix our passions on heaven, where they should be.
AL: And that’s not a psychological crutch, is it? You’re saying suffering shatters our illusions that earth can ever really satisfy, that it can ever really keep its promises. And I bet you have another reason too…
JONI: Yes, I do, and it’s a good one because the Lord wants us to present to Him a sacrifice of praise. God is glorified when we praise Him out of the midst of pain and loss. If breathing is difficult for you, think of how God's heart is warmed when you sing hymns in a worship service. If you’re on disability benefits, think of the glory God receives when you tithe generously. Or if you are suffering from manic depression, consider the pleasure God derives from listening to your thoughtful intercessions for others.
We could fill a book here. But please remember this, friend: reasons aren’t supposed to be the be all, end all of our faith. Real faith is made stronger when we trust God during times that we don’t see the reasons, when we can’t understand the plan, when we have no idea of His purpose. The Lord Jesus wants us to trust Him because He proved Himself trustworthy on the cross. Frankly – and the bottom line – He owes us no reasons; He gave reason enough back at Calvary. And for me and for you.
AL: That’s enough.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 93176