Heart Choices: In Other Words Tuesdays ~ Affliction and Faith -->

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In Other Words Tuesdays ~ Affliction and Faith


I have the privilege of hosting "In Other Words Tuesdays" today. If you're not familiar with this meme, let me explain.

Each week we are given a quote and all participating bloggers write about that quote. I find it a wonderful writing exercise. I enjoy visiting the other blogs to read their unique take. If you'd like to participate, simply enter your direct link below on MckLinky.

The quote I choose for this week is:

"Affliction will either warm you up toward spiritual things or turn you cold."
Joni Eareckson Tada "A Lifetime of Wisdom: Embracing the Way God Heals You"

As I think about Joni Eareckson Tada's life, I'm amazed at the way she has handled affliction. I remember hearing the story of her diving accident as a teenager and how she suddenly found herself a quadraplegic. She was totally dependent on others for simple things like eating and wiping her tears.

I love her honesty as she admits that it took some time to adjust to this new way of life. She went through stages of anger and she voiced them to God. Eventually, she came to the point of acceptance and has been used by God as an advocate for the disabled. Speaking, writing, music and art are a few of her talents that have inspired me.

I've also met people who have turned away from God because of afflictions. I knew an elderly woman who was so angry with God after losing her 18 year old son to leukemia. She couldn't understand why God would take her son away and she became very bitter.

When I met her she was suffering with chronic congestive heart failure. We had many talks about her relationship with God. I'm thrilled to write that she eventually came to the point of surrendering her bitterness and seeking forgiveness as we prayed together. She invited Jesus into her heart and ...three days later she died.

What a merciful and patient God we serve!

As I go through my own afflictions, my desire is to grow closer in my walk with the Lord. I may not understand the whys of my situation. But I know the One to whom I can look and depend on ...no matter what.

How about you? How do you respond to affliction?







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Debbie Petras
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11 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for sharing this week. It's neat to see how God works things out - even with quotes - for me, it's what I was reading about and watching a friend going thru a major trial in her life. THANK YOU for hosting and sharing today Debbie! :) HUGS!

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  2. Truthfully, I think we are just as dependent on our Heavenly Father as Tada is dependent on her care-givers. But when we are blessed with relatively good health, it's easy to believe that "we are in control." When in reality, only God is in control. Thank you for hosting today's quote.

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  3. Joni is a wonderful example of drawing near to God in her afflictions. I pray I can be as faithful.

    Thanks for hosting, Debbie.

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  4. It's taken me a lifetime (literally) to look back with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight and see how my afflictions have been for my benefit far more than my blight. With Joseph I can honestly say that what was intended for my harm has actually been for His glory (and my great joy).

    I love the thoughts you've shared here; simple, yet huge.

    Be blessed,
    Kathleen

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  5. It's definitely a process and a choice to how we are going to react to our afflictions. Why does it seem like anger always gets picked first. Been there, done that, got bad results because of it. Thanks for sharing today, you picked a great example.

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  6. Debbie,
    Your post on Affliction and Faith really made me stop and think about how long am I going to let this thorn in my side keep me from my Savior.
    Your blog among many others this past week seem to have been directly aimed at me.
    In my early teen age years I read Joni Erickson Tada's (she was only Joni Erickson, then) book. I'm very familiar with her struggle in this life. She is truly amazing.

    Thanks for the uplifting words.

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  7. Love this quote...I can't wait till things calm down in a bit here so I can get my post up. :) Beautiful post, and what a beautiful story about your elderly friend and God's patient grace.

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  8. Thank you for sharing two examples of this quote. I have to admit it was a convicting one for me.

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  9. What a great quote. I just made it my Facebook status.

    Love you!
    Sandy

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  10. Debbie what a great post! Years ago I had the privilege to meet Joni Tada at a missions conference. She is such a gracious speaker who is willing to be real about the struggles and the benefits of trusting God in her circumstances. She made and impression then, and writing (and reading) on this quote made an impression today. Bless you!

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I love to read your comments! I know you have something to share so join in the conversation. And thank you for taking the time.

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