Reason for Hope: Number Two

Number two:  Many saints have paved the way and provide encouragement & hope through their testimonies.

Just check out the familiar story of Joni Erickson Tada.  Confined to a wheelchair as a quadraplegic at the age of 19 (due to a diving accident), her story is one of endurance that provides hope to many and brings glory to Christ every time she shares her testimony. 

She spoke a couple years ago at a Desiring God Conference on suffering; a topic she is well acquainted with.  I listened to that talk today and was again reminded of the perseverance it takes to faithfully endure such a physical trial as quadraplegia.  I was struck by the thought that, although some would consider my temporary bedrest as a "trial", there is a definite "end" in sight.
 

I can look forward to a date when this will be done.  I can mark days on the calendar and plead with the Lord for the grace to endure.  But then, this trial will be over.  I will be free from the confines of this hospital room.  I will be able to walk again, take care of myself & my family, return to church and resume "normal life".  It is a very temporary "trial".

But Joni, she has no end in sight...except heaven.  She cannot mark days off the calendar in anticipation for her "trial" to end.  She is confined to that wheelchair for life.  And she must awaken every day with the challenges that come with her physical disability.  I was struck by some of her statements regarding her daily struggles.  

She stated (and I paraphrase) that the cross you bear is not the affliction...it is not the suffering...it is your attitude about such things (self-pity, anger, bitterness, unbelief, etc...). We are called to die to these sinful attitudes daily.  For then we can grow to be more like Him, to become Holy, to become sin-less.  And it is through His power, His peace and His joy that we are able to experience these changes in our sinful souls.  And through them, the Lord receives the glory...and others are encouraged in the faith. 

If you haven't read her story or ever heard her speak...do so, it will change how you view your current sufferings. It did mine. 

Reasons for Hope: Number One

Number one:  Nothing can keep us from Christ.  
No sufferings and no earthly pain will keep us from eternal life with Him.

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.  For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.  For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.  Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

As it is written: 

"For your sake we face death all day long; 

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."  

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

 Romans 8:18-39 (emphasis mine)

Another day: What a blessing...

I had a delightful surprise visit from my husband & children this evening.  They are hanging in there...but my girl was a little teary. Well, mommy was a little teary too.  And I am so thankful that we are nearing the end of the journey.  

Today we are 36 weeks...another wonderful milestone.  I feel so blessed as each day goes by that she gets to grow a little bigger.  She gets a little "chunkier" every day.  Well, so does her mommy. :o)   Her lungs get a little better at breathing.  Her body gets a little better at staying warm.  And each day is a blessing.

I am surrounded here in the hospital by much joy.  So many births.  New precious lives coming into the world.  I get to hear their little cries (well, some not so little) and hear parents, grandparents, friends and relatives coo over their every move.  And I happily anticipate the day when we too will have the joy of meeting this little lady.  

But the other day I was reminded of the true honor and privilege it is to have this little one growing inside me.  A healthy little one.  As far as we know, everything in her body is working correctly.  And as far as we know, we will get to see her grow up...experience her laugh, see her run around, and enjoy her individual personality.  

The room next to mine was not full of laughter & celebration the other day.  Instead of happiness and joy coming from that room, there were only tears.  Tears & sorrow, weeping & groans.  Although I do not know the woman who was in that room nor the situation, I do know that her baby was born without breath in it's lungs.  She never got to hear her cry.  She won't experience her coos, smiles or see her take her first steps. 

I sat in my bed and tears flowed down my cheeks as I listened to her sob.  All I could do was pray for her.  For her family.  For the hard days ahead.  For anniversaries of the loss of that little one.  I don't know if she has other children,  if she is married, or if she knows the only One who can ease her suffering. 

I was overcome with thankfulness for so many things.  For the two children already entrusted to our care, for my wonderful husband, my amazing family, for the child still alive & growing inside my womb and most importantly, for the hope of my Savior who does not keep these things from me or from my family...but who can take the circumstances of suffering and use them for His glory with the assurance that He will ultimately satisfy.  

Is that just a bunch of "christian-ese"?  Is it really possible to go through terrible suffering and not blame God?  Can I really be "thankful" for the difficulties that come?  Or am I just faking it? What would I have told that weeping mother if I'd had the chance?


Coming up with the right words would be hard.  To look in the eyes of that mother, who had just lost a child...I just wouldn't use phrases like "This too shall pass" or "It's all for a reason" or "It'll be okay".  

I would have only one explanation.  

It hurts.  It's not easy.  You can't explain it.  In fact, you're probably angry.  And that is normal. You probably think you can't go on.     

You're right.  You can't make it through this on your own.

But God is greater.  He is better.  His ways are higher.  Our comprehension can't contain Him.  His sovereignty is unmatched. His glory is far more beautiful.  And the grace He pours out on us is undeserved.  

He knows our suffering.  He has experienced grief.  He does not delight in the hurts of His children.  His love goes far beyond the pain.  He will never leave you.  He will provide the grace you need for every day.  He has spared us from eternal damnation...the only thing we really deserve. 

In the days to come, I will try and highlight some of the reading I've done recently that have solidified these facts in my heart and increased my passion to share the news of Christ with those who have no hope.  

But for now, I am praying for the woman who was in the room next to mine.  I am praying for a family overwhelmed by sadness.  I am praying for the thousands who have no food and no homes in Haiti.  I am praying for people who heard the diagnosis of cancer today.  And for others who are trying to cope with the loss of a loved one.  


That they would be comforted.  And would come to know the only One that will truly see them through the pain.

In awe of His mercy...
Sharon