A person in my life has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and with that comes the medications that doctors recommend. These medications could have some really good effects on him but there is the possibility of some side effects. He said that one of the things that can really get him down in life is when he reads all of the side effects that the medication might have on him. When he said this, it was like a light bulb went off in my head. What if instead of look at all of the possible bad side effects that could happen in our life we looked at all the benefits that might come to pass?
As Christians we can be plagued by the “What If’s” and endless possibility of death and destruction that can cause serious chaos in our walk with God. What if we do what God says and die to ourselves and live for Christ? You would no longer care that you might fail. You might change the world for God’s glory. We would no longer worry so much that we miss the greatest opportunities of our lives. Because when you really think about it, the “What If’s” in life can not only handicap us but they can paralyze us.
The Bible says that in order to save your life, you have to lose it. The enemy will make you doubt yourself, God will set you free. Trust God, He will show you what to do. Have no worries. When God sets the plan for your life, all it takes is a step of faith towards him and His ways for you to start to feel the fullness of His love. He loves you and if you truly believe that, then you know that He will never make you go through something that is not good for you in the overall scheme of things. God lets you experience trials in life so that you learn to have faith in Him. When God tells us what to do, why do we question it?
Our entire lives could be spent looking at all the bad things that could happen in our lives because of the choices that we make. But, think of all the good things that might not happen because we were too scared of the bad side effects that might happen.
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Trust God and know that the good benefits will always outweigh the bad side effects that might not even happen at all.
As that person in your life with Parkinson's suffering from side effects of the many medications, I too, realize I need to focus on all the good effects, not only of the medications that rob me of the day's blessings, but of God's goodness in my life. My mother used to say that God won't give us more than we can handle. There's wisdom in that statement. With all the disastrous world events surrounding us, filling every headline with incredible devastation, loss of control, and of overwhelming calamities, we as Christians need to focus on the One who promises us everlasting life amidst whatever circumstances come our way.
ReplyDeleteWith this disease, come good days and bad days. It is our choice what we focus our attentions toward. It is our choice to model Jesus Christ amidst that bad day.
God brought me to it. God's bringing me through it.
In Christ Alone,
Prof