Jesus Loves You: Standing Tall-Even When You Want to Cry
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 NIV
It was a standoff. I stared at the walker in front of me. I didn’t want it. I felt my independence slowly going away.
Why Lord? I asked. Everything seemed to be moving so fast, I wasn’t on the walking cane very long before balance issues started to be a problem. For safety reasons doctors wanted me on a walker.
After staring at it for a while, I gave it a try – shoulders back, arms at side and eyes straight ahead remembering my instructions before taking a step. I took a step and then another. I thought, well this isn’t bad. I made a few rounds in the house.
I was doing good until I passed by a mirror in my hallway and saw myself for the first time with the walker. Tears streamed from my eyes. This isn’t me, I said.
That’s when I felt the Lord say, “It is you. With the cane you were always looking down watching each step. With the walker you can look straight ahead and stay focused on Me.”
God was taking away the fear of falling and giving me the freedom to look around at the beautiful world He has created. I realized for the first time that I wasn’t losing independence but gaining freedom. I was only seeing the situation from my point of view.
That is how we all can get so tangled up in life, because we see what the world sees. But God sees what is inside each of us-the will to keep going when it hurts so bad that you don’t want to get out of bed or the bold move to take the wig off and embrace your cancer diagnosis. We may have health problems or financial issues that challenge us to our core, but we have a Savior who went to the cross to show us, not only how much he loves us, but also how to face suffering.
Jesus looked up from the cross in those final moments and cried out to God. Whatever you are facing let others see Jesus working in your struggles. Who knows how many people your story will impact. At the same time you will be glorifying God.
Mitzie Avera
