Because Jesus lived through pain and overcame it, he offers to you his strength to endure. That is such good news today if you suffer from deep chronic pain. So, take a deep breath, strive and press on; and keep living for the glory of King Jesus.
SHAUNA: This is Shauna on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope, with a gospel song Joni often sings in an incredible message to accompany it. Hear her now.
(Joni sings:)
I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true
I would tell you how He changed my life completely
He did something that no other friend could do
No one ever cared for me like Jesus
There’s no other friend as kind as He
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me
O, how much he cares for me.
JONI: Can you see why I sing this song a lot? And I mostly sing it when I am struggling with pain or discomfort from sitting in my wheelchair. I know how pain can get me off track; it can rob me of joy, get me thinking that God has forgotten me. Oh, may it never be! And so, I get my focus back in line, I slap my thoughts in the right direction by singing this wonderful old song. Yeah, I know it sounds old, but hey, the truth is so relevant. No one has ever cared for me – or you – like Jesus. There is no other friend as kind as he!
The other day I was really struggling with pain in my hip; it’s a constant battle from sitting in my wheelchair for nearly five decades, and there’s not much I can do about it. It’s ever pressing, ever etching and, at times, when there is no comfort, I drift and I begin to wonder what it will be like to cross heaven’s threshold. After all, this life is a mere vapor, a fog in the mirror; little wonder I long for heaven, our real home. But I have to remember I’m not home yet. And so I am called to strive and press on and live, not merely for the next breath of relief, but live for the glory of our King, the Lord Jesus, who understands pain more than anybody. And it’s why I sing his praises. My body may not be in tune with the melody, but my spirit sure is. My heart may feel dull, but not my spirit, my spirit loves to sing to the Lord.
And because Jesus lived through pain and overcame it, he offers to you and me his strength to endure. Oh, friend, that is such good news today if you suffer from deep chronic pain. So, take a deep breath, strive and press on; and keep living for the glory of King Jesus.
SHAUNA: And friend, today I hope you’ll visit joniradio.org where you can hear this message again. And be sure to share this program with your friends who might be in pain. Spread the encouragement. Spread the song to those who need uplifting words from Jesus the most. And don’t forget, if you are going through a deep trial, remember to press on and live, not for merely for the next breath of relief, but for life with Jesus. Press on and live for the glory of the King. Go to joniradio.org and let us know how we can pray for you. Remember, that’s joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends