If a sudden turn of events brings a painful trial, you have no cause to complain. Place your focus on Jesus and all that he has already given you: grace to let go and give; life eternal, rich and free.
We would love to pray for you! Please send us your request here:
https://joniandfriends.org/contact-us/?department=Radio
SHAUNA: Hi, I’m Shauna on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. Today Joni shares a very personal revelation learned after decades of quadriplegia.
JONI: You know, an odd thing happened after I passed the 47-year mark of life in a wheelchair. I realized that if I should suddenly fall into bad health, I would not be able to complain. I reasoned: “Lord, you’ve blessed me for all these many years with a body that, although paralyzed, has been virtually free of disease and infections. So, I will praise your mercies for the good things I have had, and I will praise you for the difficult things yet to come.” Simply put, friend, I cannot complain. For decades I have enjoyed amazing health as a quadriplegic, and if that should change; if suddenly I should fall into bad health, I would have no cause for whining.
Frankly, I have been inspired by some of my disabled friends who, for years, have remained patient through intractable pain. Some are also paralyzed and visually impaired. A few have been abandoned by their families. These loved ones may not possess many earthly blessings, but they are rich through abundant spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. To them, God has given so much through the greatness of his mercies, and he has denied them so little. Man, that’s a perspective straight from the heavenly realms! Just like Ephesians 1:3 says, “Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
Just what are our spiritual blessings? What are those things that make life rich and worthwhile, even if you’re paralyzed and a quadriplegic? Well, the most precious spiritual blessing is peace of heart and mind; peace that is profound. Another spiritual blessing is to have a soul that is settled and satisfied with God. To realize that it’s worth anything, anything to be close to him. A spiritual blessing is an assurance of faith, a kind of wideness and depth of faith that will see you through the toughest of trials. Spiritual blessings are the grace to let go and give. The ability to delight in your life eternal, rich and free. Spiritual blessings are the sweet knowledge that you have a home in heaven, a best friend in God. In all these things, truly, we have more than the angels. We really do.
It was Martin Luther who wrote: “The sea of God's mercies should swallow up all our particular afflictions.” If you pour a pail full of water on the floor, it makes a great show, but if you throw it into the sea, there is no sign of it. What does this mean? Well, afflictions considered in themselves are great; so great that they sometimes they are all we can see. But let those afflictions be considered in the sea of God’s mercies and then they are not so much. They are nothing in comparison.”
Friend, you have been given so much. You have been granted every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. You have more than the angels. So, if a sudden turn of events brings a painful trial, remember you have no cause to complain. Rather, place your focus on Jesus and all that he has already given you: grace to let go and give; life eternal, rich and free. A home in heaven, a soul that is satisfied, peace that’s profound.
SHAUNA: And don’t forget, if you need a reminder or any kind of encouragement, you can always go to joniradio.org. There you’ll find this program and many, many more—and they’ll all point you to Jesus and help you understand the spiritual blessings he has for you. Lean on the Lord, my friend, and he will give you a depth of faith that will see you through the toughest of trials.
© Joni and Friends