Bragging On Jesus!

[Jermyn Davidson]

I was at the VA and I was talking to this guy.

I was telling him how happy I was and that this was such a good day!!!


I mentioned the Lord, but the guy asked me, "Why are you so happy today?"

He emphasized today.

I started to answer, saying something about how God has been gracious in allowing me to start a new job today at the VA.

But when I looked at him again, I realized he was a double amputee.


I paused before answering him, and changed the whole course of the answer I was going to give him.

I tried to get out of the conversation, but he kept asking me questions to engage me. It would have been rude to walk away or to end the conversation abruptly.


I felt really awkward.

It was uncomfortable to tell about God being so good to a guy wha was a double amputee.


Now God is good-- I know this. I am glad and I hope that guy was glad to be alive.

But I still felt awkward.


Has anyone ever experienced anything like this before?

How did you handle it?


If not, how would you handle this?
Does anyone avoid talking about the goodness of God to a person who appears to not be in a good place?

[HeavenlyOne]

I'm asked that quite often, as I deal with sick people all the time.

I usually start out with, "I don't know why God allows bad things to happen to good people." And I go from there with whatever comments they may make.

I don't brush off their frustrations or even anger at God for their circumstances, but I do tell them that sometimes, while life isn't fair, there can be a peace given to us in our current situation. When something so devastating happens, as you mention above, there's nothing we can do but move on. I don't go about it that bluntly, but over the course of a conversation, that's the point that's generally made. In addition, I let them know that sometimes in our sufferings, we can help others, and in turn, help ourselves.

[Jermyn Davidson]

I'm asked that quite often, as I deal with sick people all the time.

I usually start out with, "I don't know why God allows bad things to happen to good people." And I go from there with whatever comments they may make.

I don't brush off their frustrations or even anger at God for their circumstances, but I do tell them that sometimes, while life isn't fair, there can be a peace given to us in our current situation. When something so devastating happens, as you mention above, there's nothing we can do but move on. I don't go about it that bluntly, but over the course of a conversation, that's the point that's generally made. In addition, I let them know that sometimes in our sufferings, we can help others, and in turn, help ourselves.


It was just so awkward, you know?

I mean I pray nothing like that ever happens to me, but I know the risk is there.

Living can be risky!! :)

God is good when the bad things happen and when the good things happen and I can say that easier for me then I can for someone else.

And when I'm going through something, it's not so easy to say "God is good" and mean it. Sometimes, I've had some crazy thoughts.

But in the end, I always calm down and submit myself to His will and then I worship Him for His goodness.

I wish I had the wisdom to speak to and encourage this guy-- he was searching.

He wanted someone to stay and talk with him. But I couldn't, even if I wasn't already in the middle of my "new employee orientation".

[HeavenlyOne]

It was just so awkward, you know?

I mean I pray nothing like that ever happens to me, but I know the risk is there.

Living can be risky!! :)

God is good when the bad things happen and when the good things happen and I can say that easier for me then I can for someone else.

And when I'm going through something, it's not so easy to say "God is good" and mean it. Sometimes, I've had some crazy thoughts.

But in the end, I always calm down and submit myself to His will and then I worship Him for His goodness.

I wish I had the wisdom to speak to and encourage this guy-- he was searching.

He wanted someone to stay and talk with him. But I couldn't, even if I wasn't already in the middle of my "new employee orientation".

I agree that those are awkward situations. In addition, when you don't have the time, it seems to be worse.

There have been times that someone has been so angry, they won't listen to anything I have to say. In those times, I hold their hand and just listen to them pouring their heart out. It's all I can do. When they are through, I let them know that I agree with them in that it's not fair and that it seems like God doesn't care and that I don't understand why such things happen. But I believe that God is in control and that there is a purpose for everything, even if we never understand why in this life.

I remember, when I was about 14, the father of a friend of mine (a man who attended my church) whom I'd known since I was a little girl, died. He was only 42, but had two teenage daughters, a toddler son, and an infant son. His second wife had never been married, and at the age of 35, she'd married him and had his two sons...they were married just under 3 years.

I asked my mother why God let that happen. Why did God take their dad away? Why did he take her husband, someone she'd waited on for so long? Why did God take someone who literally would have given the shirt off his back to anyone, even if they slapped him for it? Someone who liberally gave to the church and was a hard worker...why did God do this?

My mom gave me a silly answer, but it stuck with me because of how possible it might be. She said that maybe God foresaw something in his future that he wanted to protect John from. Maybe it was a horrible car accident. Maybe it was something that would drag him away from God and he'd be lost. Maybe, in his old age down the road, he'd die a horrible death. Taking him early was God's way of preventing the rest of life's circumstances from taking it's toll.

Sometimes, I think God does us a favor that we take as a trial or a punishment from him. For instance, and I don't mean to sound crude, but perhaps God took his legs because He foresaw that man running over a child with his vehicle, accidentally killing him, and that man killing himself over the grief.

God knows what we can handle, even when we don't think we can. I'm sure everyone on this board knows that that means, including me and you.

[A.W. Bowman]

Perhaps this might help:

Theresa Mitchell, a married quadriplegic, is a writer who requires voice reorganization software to prepare her articles for Come to Zion publications. While I do not have her entire testimony, I highly recommend contacting Theresa. I think she can give you some valuable insights into the goodness of God, even while experiencing true difficulties in life.

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In April 2007 Paul Sherbow came to visit us in Winnipeg Manitoba. He asked if I would consider writing a daily inspirational thought for the newsletter. At first I hesitated as I thought, how could I do this! I have always believed and still do that the Lord is going to heal me and miraculously bring me out of this wheelchair. When He does that I will speak His Words to the churches or where ever He may send me. The Lord was quick to remind me of that, and if I truly believed, was I not capable of writing a simple daily thought! I quickly agreed, repenting of my lack of faith in His ability to use me. Presently I am a quadriplegic. While I have bits of movement here and there throughout my body, muscles coming alive, I am still unable to do anything with my arms or legs, hands or feet. Even my head needs support of some sort. I tell you all of this so you'll understand I'm not complaining I consider myself blessed. I often spend time when I wake up in the morning sitting up in bed reading scripture on my computer. In case you're wondering I use voice-activated software. Many times my mornings flow into late afternoons as I sit at the Masters feet basking in the presence of Almighty Yahweh. It is out of these times of prayer and supplication's reading and pondering His precious Word I write what turns out to be the newsletter. Whenever I go to write I always pray that it will be the Lord's words coming from my mouth and not my own. It is my heart's desire to share His heart. This is not something I take lightly, I have come to recognize and realize we all have a purpose and are useful as long as we make ourselves available! Whether I walk in this life are not, is not my primary focus anymore. I have found great fulfillment in writing this newsletter. It has deepened my walk and fulfilled many desires I didn't even know I had. The Father always knows best. I know if I were to be out of this wheelchair and walking I would not have the time to sit at His Feet as I do! For that I am extremely grateful!

In His Love, Theresa

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Questions? I think Theresa would love hearing from you.

theresa@cometozion.org
www.cometozion.org