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"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12 ESV)
Recently I wrote about how God healed my body quickly (See Rubble -- Revised). Praise be to God. Now it is my turn to find that this is not always the case!
After doing too much cleaning the caravan roof, my body gave up and protested in no uncertain terms. I had damaged my left knee, thigh, hip and back. In unison they screamed out at me to stop: S-T-O-P! I had no choice but to leave cleaning unfinished. GRRR.
So for nearly a week I have been gradually recuperating unable to do much except swallow nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain-killers to be able to sleep and watch TV. Healing this time has been slow and frustrating. I suspect now that my time-table for things to be done is not His.
I guess I am not only guilty of taking God's provision for granted but also His apparent time-table for my recovery. I've not read much Bible as the motivation to sit still has been low-key; even my favourite TV series has lost its thrall.
In these situations it is easy to fall victim to the temptation to become distant from God. We can become rather sulky that God is not healing us straight away in our exasperation to inform God of His timely duty to us.
Maybe we are carrying other burdens as well which are not visible but find their origins in our being elsewhere: spiritual; psychological or emotional?
God knows all these things about us, our foibles, whether we choose to recognize it or not.
The Evil One lurks, looking to take advantage for such times. He desires to turn the screw: on the pain; to ramp up the fear; the sense of separation from God and our unworthiness.
The truth is that no matter where we are, how close to death we may be Jesus is always there for us, waiting to be asked in. We just have to open the door to our hearts and trust in what is unseen.
It is my experience prayer, praise and thanksgiving are great weapons against the darts which the Evil One wants to shoot into our lives to stoke up resentment. I am reminded as I write, in the middle of the clamour of pain, to worship; to remember what He has done for me in my life so far. I have no basis for excuse, all I have is a gift, even Life itself. If you are willing say with me today this prayer:
Prayer: LORD, I am sorry for taking Your Love and Forgiveness for granted. I rejoice in all that You have done for me. We rejoice that You came to set us free from the life that enslaves. We humbly ask for Your Holy Presence to come and be with us today, in Jesus name, amen.
Roderick Marshall
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