Living Paralyzed
"I Know Where my Eternity is."
- Justin
Following a dirt bike crash in 2003, Justin became paralyzed from the waist down. The accident was life-altering and left him with both physical and emotional pain. The loss of mobility, anxiety, and confusion from medications led to depression. The darkness of despair worsened after he came home from the hospital, putting a strain on his marriage, eventually causing his wife to leave him.
Throughout his struggles, Justin got to the point where he questioned if there was a reason to live anymore. The turning point for him was when his six-year-old son asked, “when are you going to be my dad again?”
Justin knew he needed to make a change, and found both peace and hope through Christ. He is now able to use his story to encourage others and, when asked why he is happy despite all he’s been through, his response is “I know where my eternity is.”
Some thoughts to consider:
- With a view toward eternity, today can be conquered.
- You are not alone. Jesus loves you and hope is only a prayer away.
- This life is temporary, but heaven is forever!
Words to Live By:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV).
“In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached his ears” Psalm 18:6 (ESV).
Dr. Ron’s Perspective:
Serious illness takes a physical and psychological toll on the individual and their family. Making the rounds to doctor appointments and medical tests along with side effects of medications can leave everyone weary and burned out. Additionally, waiting for the results of various tests can often trigger fear and panic. People dream about the days when they felt better and wonder if they will ever feel healthy again. Whenever we experience a loss of control in our lives, it can prompt us to feel vulnerable and fragile. Doubt and fear can shake our spiritual foundations even for those individuals who have had strong faith in the past. So what purpose could a serious illness serve in someone’s life? Even considering that question requires a shift in our thinking. Instead of losing hope and doubting your purpose, we can look in a new direction with fresh meaning. This is the time to deliberately reach out to others who may be afraid and alone. By helping someone else, we help ourselves. This restores meaning and purpose to life even in the face of a severe health condition.
Grace Notes by Philip Yancey
“For those who suffer, and those who stand beside them, Job offers up an important lesson. Doubts and complaints are valid responses, not symptoms of weak faith- so valid, in fact, that God made sure the Bible included them all” (100).
Recommended Resources:
The Problem of Pain -C.S. Lewis
The Gift of Pain -Philip Yancey
The Reason for God -Tim Keller
