The Amazing Connection
I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with an amazing insight you’ll want to pass on.
People often ask, “Joni, if you could describe the one lesson, the one insight, the one principle from God’s word that completely altered your life when you were first struggling with your wheelchair, what would that be?” I tell you what, I’ve had a long time to think about that answer, and it’s something I want to share it with you today, in hopes you will pass the insight on to others you know who are suffering and unable to come to grips with maybe some awful affliction God has allowed in their lives. So, what is that one principle, that one insight? Here it is: it’s the insight that helped me move from depression to hope. It is: God has the power to completely change our view of suffering, leading us up out of despair and into a world of hope.
First, consider Jesus: God permitted what He hated (the cruelty of Christ’s crucifixion) to accomplish something He loved (that is salvation for a world of sinners). It wouldn’t have happened without the cross. And in the same way, God permitted what He hated (my spinal cord injury) to accomplish something that He loved (Christ in me, the hope of glory)! It wouldn’t have happened – at least to the degree that I’ve experienced – without my suffering.
When I saw this amazing connection (suddenly, there was this connection) between Christ’s afflictions and mine, then my story of suffering no longer felt isolated, or small, or suffocating, or shriveled – I was now connected to a much bigger, more cosmic Story, that of Jesus Christ’s. That insight alone laid the foundation for me to then grow leaps and bounds, all because my suffering was now ‘located’ in my Savior. I had the power to take up my cross daily and die to the sins (that is fear, bitterness, resentment) that Jesus died for on His cross. And, oh, did it bond me to the Lord, as never before!
When I saw myself in Christ’s sufferings – His story, the big story – I moved from the “life of Joni” to the “life of Christ.” From then on out, normal Christian life became simply this: every day, dying and rising with Jesus. And suffering got me there. In short, this 35,000-foot view of suffering helped me know I was not merely in a wheelchair, I was in the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. I was connected with the biggest Reality of all. This big view on suffering – the view that intertwines us with God’s story at the cross – it normalizes our afflictions. It gives us an explanation for what we are going through. It helps us find virtue in suffering. It becomes our pathway to joy. And best of all, it changes the narrative, and we are no longer victims, but in Christ, we are victors — and happy, joyful victors, at that.
Now, I realize this is a lot to take in, so I encourage you to listen again to what I just shared. Just go to joniandfriends.org/radio and just listen one more time to this special program. Better yet, with Good Friday being tomorrow — Tweet it or share it with your Facebook friends – especially those who are struggling to trust Christ in their suffering. Again, just click the ‘share button’ on today’s program and spread the good news. The news that says: God may permit what He hates, but it’s all to the end that He’ll accomplish something that He loves – loves in your life, and in the lives of His friends. Oh, and by the way, if you have a prayer request let me know on our radio page and our Joni and Friends staff will lift up your need before the Lord. God bless you today and thanks for listening to Joni and Friends.
© Joni and Friends
