Joni Eareckson Tada: "A Purpose in the Pain"

Few have ever experienced the ongoing physical trials of Joni Eareckson Tada. Her long testimony of a life lived resting in Christ in the midst of unrelenting pain and disability has been an inspiration to many. Tabletalk recently interviewed her. [The complete interview on the Lignonier site can be read here.] We can learn from fellow pilgrims who deal with adversity and pain every day of their lives, yet never lose joy in their union with Christ. She offers the following practical advise concerning how application drawn from God's dealings with His people Israel is able to encourage her daily. ["All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable ... so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2Tim.3:16-17] Here's an excerpt from the interview. I recommend reading her entire interview at the above link.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Tabletalk: Which passages of Scripture have given you encouragement during your struggles with disability and cancer?

Joni: Psalm 79:8 says, “May your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need” (NIV). Basically, I wake up almost every morning in desperate need of Jesus — from those early days when I first got out of the hospital, to over four decades in a wheelchair, it’s still the same. The morning dawns and I realize: “Lord, I don’t have the strength to go on. I have no resources. I can’t ‘do’ another day of quadriplegia, but I can do all things through You who strengthen me. So please give me Your smile for the day; I need You urgently.” This, I have found, is the secret to my joy and contentment. Every morning, my disability — and, most recently, my battle with cancer — forces me to come to the Lord Jesus in empty-handed spiritual poverty. But that’s a good place to be because Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. (Mt.5:3).

Another anchor is Deuteronomy 31:6, where God tells me, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified [of quadriplegia, chronic pain, or cancer], for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (NIV). I’m convinced a believer can endure any amount of suffering as long as he’s convinced that God is with him in it. And we have the Man of Sorrows, the most God-forsaken man who ever lived, so that, in turn, He might say to us, “I will never leave you; I will never forsake you.” God wrote the book on suffering and He called it Jesus. This means God understands. He knows. He’s with me. My diving accident really was an answer to that prayer to be drawn closer to Him.