ISA 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you – yes, I help you – yes, I uphold you with my saving right hand!
These days are presenting me with quite an interesting schedule:
1 hour on the leg lift
1/2 hour on the ice/compressor machine
1/2 hour of exercise
1/2 hour of movement (walking with walker or cain)
1/2 hour of relaxation
Then the process begins over again - and that is my life for 12 hours of the day. But I certainly am no exception, for there have been many before me and will no doubt be many after me who have been through the replacement of one or both knees.
I am not complaining! I am simply stating facts. One of the great dangers of the surgery is that of falling. Personally I have had no fear of that, nor of anything else because I have claimed for my own the text above. Let me share with you what I have learned from the text and how it has helped me in my light affliction.
In the first place, there are two natural emotions present in me that God tells me not to allow to control me: 1) Don't be afraid - when we are in a position over which we have no control there is a natural tendency to "fear", but God says "Don't do it!" Well, saying it and doing it are two different things, right? Yes, but He offers or extends to us the grace to say "NO!" to fear because of our faith. It is always "by grace through faith." That is how God works. So when fear says, "you may fall," faith says, "No, I won't by the grace of God, because I will be obedient and careful and trusting."
2) Don't be anxious - our minds remind us of the weakness of that part of our body that has been injured, operated on, etc, and the rest of the body rallies to assist it, but the mind still says, "it is not yet normal, so you must be careful." Now that is good advice, but it must not dominate the power of God to heal. We actually have three things working in our favor - the power of God, the natural power of the body itself, and the knowledge and understanding of those who medically attend us. We must be attentive but not anxious.
So the first thing I see is the LORD'S PROHIBITION - Don't be afraid or anxious.
The second thing I see is the LORD'S PRESENCE - I am with you!
In recent days, two of our children we home with their families and I had some pretty strong shoulders to hold on to in some of those questionable moments or trying to make to the table to eat. They would scold me at any attempt to "go it on my own" and insisted to help me along. Sometimes we need others with skin to lean on, but whether we need them or not, we have and need the Lord who gives us amazing inner strength and courage. I don't know that I am any different from anyone else, but my body has always healed fast. I am thankful for that and realize that it has been due to having a wonderful wife who has always taken good care of me, family and friends and neighbors who always seem to be more than willing to help, and a strong constitution. But above all, I credit the grace and goodness of God, the LORD who is my Shepherd. He is with me and in me.
I have learned so much more, but there is one more thing I wish to share regarding the text - I have learned of His PROVISION - strength, help, and support by His saving right hand.
When I did not think I had the strength to move my leg to the extent that the Physical Therapist thought I should, God gave me the strength. When I cried out in the night to Him so that I would not take pain pills, He heard and helped me. When I needed Him and His ministering spirits to help me stand and walk and do it the way I should, and do all the little things I should do without knowing that I should do them to get well, HE GETS THE GLORY FOR IT ALL!
Thanks for your love and prayers. God is AMAZING!
BLESSINGS!
No comments:
Post a Comment