It didn’t sound comforting when the doctor said, “make sure you don’t get COVID because you will be hospitalized, and then I can’t help you.” However, I couldn’t dwell on that fear of the unknown. I needed to put my trust in the Lord on a daily basis.
The number of times I have been brokenhearted is hard for me to count and I can guess that the same is true for you. One area I remember vividly, relates to the medical issues I have had starting from a young age.
Naturally, I have not always been the best representative of my family, the ones that share my earthly name. At times I have lacked grace, compassion and empathy while conversing with others on difficult topics. And even more alarming, an important name that I did not represent well during these discussions, is the name of Christian.
For years I struggled with addiction. At my lowest points, I would cry out to the darkness that I hated the effect it had on my life, and how much better my life would be if I could just ‘be better’.
Scripture tells us that once we are saved, we are new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17), and that we are one in Spirit with the Lord. (1 Cor 6:17). So, why is it that I am still so easily pulled back into thinking sinful thoughts, and into saying and doing sinful things?
If our joy is found in the “fireworks” or excitement of following Him then what happens when we aren’t feeling it? Will we become disinterested when the journey of this life gets long and hard.
Nonetheless, life took a turn when I was diagnosed with the corona virus over Thanksgiving. The day after being released from quarantine, in another of life’s turns, the virus generated a blood clot in my heart.
There is a huge difference though, between saying something with our mouths and meaning something with our hearts, and I think James’ intent here is for us to focus on our hearts through trials, not just alter how we talk about them.
David starts out by saying “I waited patiently for the Lord.” I’m already convicted. Who else has a hard time waiting patiently?
When the repairs were complete and I was picking up the van, the customer service man told me the total of my bill. Then, he proceeded to tell me that I only owed half of the amount because someone had come in and already paid the other half.