A Very Present Help
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a wonderful quote by John Piper.
I read this years ago, and it’s always been a comfort when I feel alone in my afflictions, or my wheelchair feels a little overwhelming. John Piper said, (now get this), “Every day, in every circumstance, God is always doing 10,000 things in your life and you may be aware of only three of them.” Wow! That is so true, and it’s good to remember when suffering starts to make you feel claustrophobic. Every day God is doing 10,000 things in your life, and you might be aware of only three of them or two of them or one of them. No matter how lonely you feel, or how out-of-step with others you feel; no matter if you feel your life is lacking purpose, God is up to something—and up to something big in your life. So don’t let the four walls of your bedroom or your work area close in on you. Don’t feel suffocated by pain. Instead, how about remembering this special poem by Annie Johnson Flint. This is what she writes; she says:
“God is helping me now, this moment,
Though I may not see it or hear,
Perhaps by a friend far distant,
Perhaps by a stranger near.
Perhaps by a spoken message,
Perhaps by the printed word;
In ways that I know and know not,
I have the help of the Lord.
He’s keeping me now—this moment,
However I need it most,
Perhaps by a single angel,
Perhaps by a mighty host.
Perhaps by the chain that frets me,
Or the walls that shut me in;
In ways that I know and know not,
He keeps me from harm and sin.
He’s guiding me now—this moment,
In pathways easy or hard,
Perhaps by a door wide open,
Perhaps by a door fast barred,
Perhaps by a joy withholden,
Perhaps by a gladness given;
In ways that I know and know not,
He’s leading me up to heaven.
He’s using me now—this moment,
And whether I go or stand,
Perhaps by a plan accomplished,
Perhaps when He stays my hand,
Perhaps by a word in season,
Perhaps by a silent prayer;
In ways that I know and know not,
His labor of love I share.”
Don’t you love that? Though you may not see it or hear it, in ways that you know and know not, God is at work. God is active. God is doing 10,000 things in your life, even though you may be aware of only one or two. So until God opens a door, praise Him for the dark hallway. Praise Him through your pain. Praise Him for being with you in your affliction. Praise Him for those 10,000 things He is up to in your life—perhaps even using your story in ways you never imagined, using your story in the lives of others.
So take heart and be encouraged. You are not alone in your hardships. And to remind you of this, I’d love you to go to my radio page today at joniandfriends.org/radio and ask for your free gift, a copy of my booklet called “Pain and Providence”. It’ll remind you of several more of those 10,000 things God is doing in your life right now. Whether refining your faith, sharpening your character, exposing your sin, implanting fresh hope, imparting His courage, expanding your vision, encouraging your weary soul (I could go on and on) God is doing all these things and so much more. So trust Him in ways you know and know not. Praise Him in the darkness until He opens a door. Do not suffocate in your suffering; trust Him and move forward into life. And take with you my pamphlet “Pain and Providence”. It’s yours for the asking today, free at joniandfriends.org/radio. Again, that’s joniandfriends.org/radio.
© Joni and Friends
