Hi, this is Joni and the smile you hear in my voice wasn’t always there!
Oh, I do remember the early days right after my diving accident when I was still trying to adjust to this wheelchair. Yuck. It was so hard. It was so awful. I remember when my father’s lawyer came into the hospital. He said that there was significant negligence on the part of the company that owned the beach where I broke my neck. Back then in the late 60’s, I was only a teenager, but when our family lawyer talked about it, back then I didn't flinch at the idea of making the Beach Company pay. I’m ashamed to say it, but I wanted everyone to pay, including my parents who had brought me into this world – I felt they should pay, too. I was in such pain I wanted everybody else to be in pain, too. My father's lawyer jotted copious notes as I droned on. “I am the victim of a terrible diving accident," I said to him. "It has left me completely paralyzed from the shoulders down. I hate this." Man, what an attitude…making myself out to be the victim! Talk about self-pity!
But after my first year, I began to tire of that self-pity. Frankly, it was only making things worse. And that’s when I turned to the Bible, and my guides became the Holy Spirit and a Christian friend named Steve Estes. I said to my friend, "Steve, I can't face a life of paralysis with a happy attitude. I want to, but it's just too much." Well, he had a wise reply. He said, "God doesn't ask you to have a happy attitude, Joni. He only asks you to take one day at a time." And I’ll tell you what. That fundamental signpost from Scripture pointed to the path away from pain. And I began to "wheel" that path to my future, slowly giving thanks for small and great things, day by day.
And so… what became of my blubbering to the family lawyer? Well, we lost the case. The truth was I was the one who made that reckless dive. Plainly put, it was my fault. I did a stupid thing by not checking the depth of the water. That truth set me free, along with other truths like leaning daily on God's grace and realizing God's children are never ever victims. Everything that touches your life, God permits.
I’ve learned a lot since those early days. I’ve learned that a Christian never has the right or the reason to play the victim. And the odd thing is, the irony is, people can't imagine a more victimized person than Jesus. Yet when He was impaled on that cross, He didn't say, "I am finished" but "It is finished." In John 19 we read, “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” The Lord did not play the victim, and as a result He emerged the victor.
So today, friend, forget the self-pity. I mean, true, your supervisor may be trying to push you out of your job. Your marriage may be a trial. You might be living below the poverty level. Or you may be dealing with an encroaching, painful disability. But victory is yours in Christ. His grace is sufficient. And knowing this truth, it will set you free. I guarantee it! Wait a minute…rather, the Spirit of Christ will guarantee it!
And if you need a little inspiration on that path from victim to victor, don’t forget to check out the story of my friend Holly on our radio web page. It’s a short video clip of this remarkable woman – a beautiful young woman – with spina bifida. This sister in Christ has some inspiring things to say. And you can see what she has to say at joniandfriendsradio.org.
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JONI AND FRIENDS
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Agoura Hills, CA 91376
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