I try to avoid writing about myself and my troubles, but sometimes it’s all I have. This will give those who have inquired why I hadn’t written in three weeks some insight, and hopefully, God will encourage all of you going through personal struggles. I’ve always assumed life would become easier the older I got and the more I grew from the Word and life experiences. Boy! Was I wrong? In my mind, I had reasoned when I retired I could escape all the pressures of ministering and teaching and the bureaucracy of working in a Bible college. I would have the freedom to study all the questions I’d stored away until I had the time. However, none of my thoughts factored in health and declining abilities to do the things I’d always done. Thankfully, for some of you, that’s not the case, and you continue to live a healthy life. For me, my world turned upside down. I finally accepted I could no longer maintain part-time work climbing radio towers but did that have to include step ladders? It appears my balance decided it didn’t want to work any longer at any height, including the floor.
I’ll admit a fast pace life staying on the road hasn’t helped. That lifestyle demands eating lots of fast food on the go and then too much rich food when I could sit down—usually a business meal. Factor into that much of this was in third-world countries on hundreds of miles over rough roads. Twenty-five years ago, to further complicate my life, doctors diagnosed me with diabetes, which has progressed to insulin injections twice a day.
Several other challenges have taken place in the last three years, but the hardest struggle began a year ago through a severe bout of pneumonia. This put me in the hospital for eight days and doctors battled to keep me alive. We concluded it probably came from a bacteria that killed one of my rabbits. The problem was it left my lungs in a mess with ongoing inflammation recently diagnosed as interstitial pulmonary fibrous. Steroids for the last year have helped, but the side effects have almost killed me. After this three-week shutdown with breathing problems, I’m trying to write. It troubles me when I am unable to write the Sustaining Word meant to encourage you the readers. So, rather than miss another week, I am writing this to share with you a few of the struggles I have and let you know you are not alone in your journey of faith.
I’m sure some have read SW in the past and said, “That’s easy for him to say. He doesn’t understand what I’m going through.” Well, my response would be “I’ve been there, done that, and have a closet full of tee shirts you don’t know about.” Too often I’ve ministered to believers who entered Christianity with the idea ‘it will be clear sailing now; no more troubles will come my way, and life will be one blessing followed by another.’ The Bible nowhere guarantees a life without storms or challenges. In fact, disappointment, disaster, and despair will test our faith. Do we believe God merely to receive blessings? Or do we believe in the promises of God when everything looks impossible? Do we trust in God if He does not deliver us? Do we trust in God when we do not understand His ways and working in our lives? Do we trust God that bad things are good things in disguise? Do we rest in the promise, And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28).
For me, this challenge to my faith has lasted a long time. But several things have kept me going. First, I wrote several weeks ago that I’m not home yet. I’m just a sojourner traveling through to my eternal home where there are no problems, no suffering, or pain. Second, God promises He will go with me to give guidance and strength. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you (Isaiah 43:2).
James tells us in our tribulations, Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4). Our tough times are leading us to perfection.
If you feel you can take no more, remember, No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it (1Co 10:13).
Sustaining Word for the Week:
What I’ve come to understand during this trial is that serving God is a journey of faith all the way to my final breath, whether in trial or blessings. No one will coast in.