"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is
God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Trying to walk in an Air boot with a fractured heel has been limiting and uncomfortable, but I'm learning that blessings can be found even in the most trying circumstances. For instance, I am very thankful that it's my left foot that's affected, so I can still drive my car, and even more thankful that it has entitled me to a Handicapped Parking permit. Not having to worry about finding a good spot to park in is an amazing luxury that will be hard to give up.
February 15, 2016
February 13, 2016
WIMPY IS SOMETIMES GOOD
"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace
with confidence, so that we may receive mercy
and find grace to help us in our time of need."
(Hebrews 4:16)
None of us were accidents. God's knew us long before we were conceived, and created us for a special purpose no one else could fulfill (Psalm 139:15-16). Each one of us is a Divine original, wired and gifted according to the strengths and weaknesses needed to fulfill His pre-ordained plan (Romans 12:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:14-24).
My wiring seems to have included wimpiness, and though it's not a trait that makes me proud, the inordinate fear of pain, discomfort, or loss of control it created, so far outweighed any possible enticement, that it safeguarded me from many a harmful behavior I could easily have become addicted to in my youth.
So now fast forward half a century to a severe case of plantar fascitis. I still do not like pain, but this time around, what others think of me outweighs the pain. I know so many people who live with pain and manage to function despite it, I feel too ashamed to stay home and rest my foot. Instead, I try to tough it and force myself to walk on it so no one will think I'm a wimp. The result? My concern about what others might think led to very unnecessary, undesirable consequences--a stress fracture of my heel necessitating six weeks minimum in an Aircast boot.
Now, under doctor's orders, I do have to take it easy and rest the foot, and while I rest, I think of how we live in a society where self sufficiency and independence are applauded. No one wants to seem weak or needy. "God helps those who help themselves," is a much quoted verse many people believe is from the Bible, but nothing could be further from the truth. What the Scriptures do say, is that God wants us to lean on Him (Psalm 145:18-19; Isaiah 40:29-31; Matthew 11:28, to name a few). The people God helps are those who know they can't help themselves and cry out to Him for help.
with confidence, so that we may receive mercy
and find grace to help us in our time of need."
(Hebrews 4:16)
None of us were accidents. God's knew us long before we were conceived, and created us for a special purpose no one else could fulfill (Psalm 139:15-16). Each one of us is a Divine original, wired and gifted according to the strengths and weaknesses needed to fulfill His pre-ordained plan (Romans 12:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:14-24).
My wiring seems to have included wimpiness, and though it's not a trait that makes me proud, the inordinate fear of pain, discomfort, or loss of control it created, so far outweighed any possible enticement, that it safeguarded me from many a harmful behavior I could easily have become addicted to in my youth.
So now fast forward half a century to a severe case of plantar fascitis. I still do not like pain, but this time around, what others think of me outweighs the pain. I know so many people who live with pain and manage to function despite it, I feel too ashamed to stay home and rest my foot. Instead, I try to tough it and force myself to walk on it so no one will think I'm a wimp. The result? My concern about what others might think led to very unnecessary, undesirable consequences--a stress fracture of my heel necessitating six weeks minimum in an Aircast boot.
Now, under doctor's orders, I do have to take it easy and rest the foot, and while I rest, I think of how we live in a society where self sufficiency and independence are applauded. No one wants to seem weak or needy. "God helps those who help themselves," is a much quoted verse many people believe is from the Bible, but nothing could be further from the truth. What the Scriptures do say, is that God wants us to lean on Him (Psalm 145:18-19; Isaiah 40:29-31; Matthew 11:28, to name a few). The people God helps are those who know they can't help themselves and cry out to Him for help.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
