So often I whine when trials come my way. I love the idea of seeing them as opportunities to be seized and I resonate with the idea of life becoming inspirational because of those trials. It is possible to be optimistic when trials come. To that end I pray - for you and for me."Forty-four years of quadriplegia, I deal daily with chronic pain. And [when combined with] the recent battle with breast cancer, I know something about uncertain times," she told the audience.
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She shared with the audience that some mornings when she wakes up, she often realizes anew the challenges being paralyzed and unable to use her hands or her legs, the pain in her body and the constant wait for friends to come in and give her a bed bath, help her through exercises and get her dressed. Tada testified that although she often feels that she cannot bear this experience, she constantly relies on God's strength and prays for His smile to greet her helpers.
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"Trials are not just assaults to be withstood. No, trials are opportunities to be seized," she said. And with that perspective, Tada said, "Life becomes inspiring, not in spite of the problems and the hard hits, but because of them."
She reminded them that God is in control, and He has the victory. Tada instructed listeners to, instead of succumbing to challenges, think "Game on!" "Let's go!" "Victory is within Reach!" and to keep challenging themselves to work harder and deepen their relationship with God.
Optimism in Face of Trials
There is probably no other person in contemporary America that I respect more when it comes to speaking on the topic of trials and suffering than Joni Eareckson Tada. Consider these excerpts from this Christian Post article:
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"Trials are opportunities to be seized." Such a powerful statement. Thanks for reminding me of this today.
ReplyDeleteJoni has certainly been a wonderful testimony to the world.
I was going to write the same thing that Bev wrote. "Trials are opportunities to be seized."
ReplyDeleteThanks for the whack in the head this morning.
I have been whining and irritated the last few days, its going to stop right now.
Thanks for sharing this with me.
Its hard to believe its been 44 years for Joni....boggles my mind.
Very uplifting. I'm going to share with my daughter who is in the hospital now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this...needed it. I think Joni Eareckson Tada was here in Kuala Lumpur recently and I missed the chance of meeting her.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this article. I often visit Joni's site just to learn how she is doing and to gather courage to face the trials of my own. She's living a perfect life, because she has been strong and obedient enough to do what Jesus wanted her to do. There's no point in suffering without God. He knows how to use it to clean the person - and those who see the light in her.
ReplyDeleteFunny you should comment on this a year after I posted it Mona. I watched an old Billy Graham crusade video yesterday that featured Joni and her husband Ken talking about how they met and married. Both of these people are so inspirational. They help us each to see God in such a magnificent way. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
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