A Warrior’s Reflections

Yep, around here, we’re still talking about Heart for the Disabled.

Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and although it’s been a couple of weeks since I shared with you the amazing stories of special-needs families, you friends are still responding to our Heart for the Disabled campaign. You will remember that back the first week of January, I asked you to write notes of encouragement, scriptures, assurances of prayer, whatever, to five families who struggle with disability. Well, thank you to all of you who’ve already responded, who’ve already answered the call and written in. But there are a few of you we have not yet heard from, so we would love it if you would get in on the fun; get in on this powerful ministry opportunity. Because these families really need help. So, go to joniradio.org today and get all the details on these families with special needs.

Because when you got a disability, life is hard. And I’m thinking of Chris who joined the Army when he was 18 years old. This young man gave four years of his life to selflessly defend our country and the many freedoms we all enjoy each day. Chris was deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan over the course of those four years of service. And with all that time in combat, this young guy suffered terribly. He came home a different man. No longer the idealistic teenager when he first enlisted, Chris now battles continuous seizures as a result of the multiple Traumatic Brain Injuries he experienced during the fierce fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. In this season of his life, it’s not COVID that keeps him isolated; it’s his enormous invisible disabilities that make every day social interaction with people nearly impossible. This young man is suffering in painful isolation. But Chris, bless his heart – he was able to attend one of our Warrior Getaways last year. That’s our special retreat where military servicemen and women and their families come for rest and healing, biblical counseling, and a chance to hear about Jesus Christ. Well, it was life changing for this young veteran; I mean, just listen to what Chris has to say about it. He confessed – now this is a quote – “I don’t want to end up another casualty.” Wow. That was his desperate cry when he arrived at our Getaway. Just how desperate? Well, he knows better than anyone that nearly 20 veterans a day commit suicide. And that fact alone does not help his emotional stability, which is all the more reason men like him need the guidance and comfort of Christ that we offer to disabled veterans at our Warrior Getaways. And it’s why I was so heartened to hear Chris say this also; he said: “God’s gonna make me whole again. Someday I will be unbroken.” Wow, Chris, hold onto that hope. The Lord Jesus is coming to the rescue, just as he does every day for people with the hardest, most painful disabilities.

Every day disabled people like Chris cry out with the same passion you hear in Psalm 57, “Oh, God, have mercy on me, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High…and he sends from heaven and saves me.” Friend, that’s the heart cry of every family feeling overwhelmed by isolation and disability. So, do not forget to pray for our upcoming Warrior Getaways. And take this chance to go to joniradio.org today to offer Christ-centered encouragement to our five Heart for the Disabled families. And you can get all the details at joniradio.org.

© Joni and Friends