I have a friend. Yes, at least one.
We’ll call him Arthur. Arthur Featherstone, specifically. He just underwent knee surgery. The second in a year. Two knees. Each was bad. The boy is rough on his body.
He commented today on his recovery and he said something that I think is a great lesson in life. I prefer to learn from other people’s pain.
He said that since he recovered from his first surgery at the beginning of the year, he knows now that his hard work and pain in therapy will lead to recovery again. His present sufferings are bearable because he knows what the end result will be.
We don’t have crystal balls, but we have some promises from God.
“11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.
That’s God’s plan. But we can certainly screw it up with infidelity, disceit, pride or numerous other sins. Provided however, that we don’t mess things up and we walk with the Lord and we praise Him through good and bad, I believe that He will deliver on His promise of blessings. Life is not always easy. Jesus said it wouldn’t be. But to keep a clear picture of the end result makes it easier to get through the pain of our current circumstances.
It will be hard work, but it’s necessary. If Arthur sat around all day and ate chocolate Dove icecream bars and read Cosmopolitan and didn’t do his physical therapy several hours a day, he wouldn’t get better. And he has no one at home with him during the day screaming to “bend that knee, Cream Puff!” He has to find the internal drive to want to get better.
The decision is his. His decision is easier because he has clear knowledge of what it takes to regain a strong, healthy knee.
The decisions are ours, too. We can cave under the pressures of life or keep getting up, doing all the right things, pushing through the pain and believing God for His promises.
It’s up to us. God will make good on His end.
Onword and Upwords by Dennis Brady 