Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and have I got some inspiration for you today!
Welcome to Joni and Friends, where I consider it such an honor to pass on the inspiring things I’m learning from God’s Word in this wheelchair of mine. And who in the Bible inspires me to hang on despite the pain and problems? Well, I have to look to the apostle Paul. There was a man who could write the book on suffering. To Paul, it must have seemed as though his life was spinning out of control at times. I mean, think of it: shipwrecks, getting ambushed, getting bitten by snakes. He couldn’t control these awful things. He had no control over the phony apostles who were jealous of him and slandered his reputation. Paul never asked to be dumped over the city wall in a basket. He couldn’t help it when that demon-possessed girl followed him around Philippi shouting obscenities.
Yet for all his lack of control over his wild and crazy circumstances, there was one thing Paul could control – and here’s the lesson – it was his attitude. He realized his response could either greatly advance Christ’s Gospel or seriously set it back. In other words, there was much more at stake than simply Paul’s life. Other lives could be and would be influenced by his godly response to trials. The reputation of the Gospel was on the line. Angels were watching. God was taking notice. And with so many incredible things on the line, with the stakes so high, Paul bit his tongue from complaining. He constantly kept a healthy attitude about his problems. Like Proverbs 10:19 says, “He who holds his tongue is wise.” Wow!
Now, I’m not in prison like Paul. There are no chains biting into my ankles. But I do have a wheelchair, and, like Paul, I can’t claim direct responsibility for all the crazy things that have happened related to my disability, but I am responsible. I will be held accountable one day for my attitude. I’ll be held accountable if I don’t bite my tongue from complaining. But, friend, I don’t mind being accountable. It’s not a burden to bear, even with this quadriplegia, because I know that my life (just like yours)… my life and yours influences others – like the neighbors and friends and family around you who are watching. I’ve got people watching how I respond to tough things, and so do you. The reputation of Christ’s Gospel is on the line. Unseen beings in the heavenly realms are observing and wondering how you and I will handle stuff. And most importantly, God is taking notice of you and me and the way we handle our trials and the testing of our faith.
Today you might not be responsible for that irritating phone call from your neighbor or that your wife can’t balance the checkbook – but you are responsible for your response, and you will be held accountable by God for the choices you make. There’s much more at stake here than simply your comfort zones. Others can be influenced to make eternal decisions. Like I said, angels are observing and so is God. Sometimes we demonstrate better responsibility for our attitude when we enlist the help of others, so ask a trusted friend to hold you accountable, to help you make the right choices. And if you need more help, don’t forget the Bible study pamphlet I’d like to send you this week. It’s called “How to Study the Bible” and it’s filled with really great tools to help you dig deeper into God’s Word, whether it’s studying the life of someone like Paul or doing a word search on the topic of suffering or affliction. It’s all right here in this great 12-page pamphlet and you can get yours by visiting my radio page at joniandfriends.org. And finally, friend, remember, with so much at stake today, let Proverbs 10:19 be your guide for, “He who holds his tongue is wise.”
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