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Title:
"Dancing
with Broken Bones: Joy in Pain and Suffering"
Author:
JoyPals
-JoyPals.com –ReformedWomen
"Wherefore
let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of
their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator."
I Peter 4:19
“True joy is more than a passing emotion. It's the natural
overflow of a life in union with the God who both created it and
redeemed it. It was never meant to hang on the hooks of the
circumstances of our lives – the results of the x-rays, the kids'
next report cards, or the blister on the bottom of my left foot.
Rather, it's amazing stuff that blazes up most strongly when I am weak
or have the least reason to feel it. Joy is an incredibly
satisfying thing that lays bedrock in a person's soul, something that
can't be shaken.”
The title "Dancing with Broken Bones" has always been one that
puts a practical “mind handle” on the Christian life for me.
It says that we are "dancing" i.e., rejoicing" and are
"happy" in our Christian walk though it be filled with pain
and suffering. Having been a ballerina for many years, I know what
it is like to "dance" on sprained or painful feet. It
hurts! Perhaps that is why
I like this title so much. It “fits" me physically and
spiritually so I understand it and can apply it.
There are many books written on this subject and some I particularly
like are the Puritans, "Affliction” by Edith Schaeffer,
"Surprised by Suffering" by R.C. Sproul, "The Shadow of
Calvary" by Hugh Martin, "Suffering of Man and the Sovereignty
of God" by C.H. Spurgeon and the newest books which I am currently
reading: "Misery of Job and the Mercy of God" by John Piper
and "O Lord, How Long" by D.A. Carson. Of course, my
favorite always devotional "The Valley of Vision" by Arthur
Bennett and other Puritan writers always bring soothing balm to my soul.
Last, but not least, one cannot truly read the beautiful books
containing the doctrine of God's sovereignty and providence without
coming away with an understanding of God's love, mercy and care in the
afflictions of His people.
I am reminded of the Apostle Paul in 2 Cor. 10 when he states that we
are "... sorrowful, but always rejoicing" and in Romans 12:12
that we are "...rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation;
continuing instant in prayer...." This is the truly
biblical path of a true believer in the Lord Jesus -- it is a path of
suffering but one of great joy and anticipation for the work of Christ
in our life and in the "joy" that is set before us to serve
Him faithfully in our sojourn on the earth. Are we despondent,
discouraged, and frustrated with our trials and afflictions? We
should not be -- we should be rejoicing so this begs the question:
Are we better than He? Did He suffer? Yes, more than any man
and not only that, He suffered an eternity in hell for each of us for
our transgressions and He accomplished it as "the joy set before
Him." Does He not tell us "you will suffer
persecution" (trials, pain, suffering, affliction, loss)?
Yes, and He also tells us that we are "more than conquerors"
in these things because of His love, His power, His grace and His
Spirit. He sustains, He loves, He protects, He heals, and He
providentially cares and in His caring is our rest, our hope, our joy
and our blessing. He is a tender Father, who loves and cares for
His children and He will bring us through the trials of life decked in
the ornaments of His love and care. We serve a gracious, kind and
tender God, who loves us so much that He brings suffering to us, just as
He did to His dear Son, our Lord Jesus, and since we are His offspring;
we likewise walk in these same steps. Therefore, what do we say of
these things? We say I rejoice and praise my God for His great
blessings of suffering to me! I will rejoice and be glad for He has given me life and
everything both now and forevermore! This is dancing on broken
bones!!
"Tremendous
victory is only possible in the face of a tremendous battle. As
we consider affliction, our desire should be to help each other find
victory in hidden places and "overcome him by the blood of the
Lamb" in very practical moment-by-moment happenings in our
day-to-day lives. Between our own birth and death, that is our
second birth and our death at the Second Coming of Christ, we are in
danger of losing what we are meant to be experiencing, as well as
knowing in our heads, because we are not recognizing something of what
is taking place. We are also in danger of not caring enough
about showing God our love and trust of Him in the all-too-short
period of time that we are given to take part in the "battle of
the heavenlies." We are too easily turned toward thinking
of what we can "get" in the way of happiness by being a
Christian. We fail to remember the seriousness of total history
and of our own particular moment in history.
“ . . . And they loved not their lives unto death."
This speaks of a conviction and willingness to be used by God at
tremendous cost."
"Is
any among you afflicted? Let him pray.
Is any merry? Let him sing psalms."
James 5:13
* * *
Living Coram Deo,
JoyPals, JoyPals.com-ReformedWomen
Editor & Publisher,
"Heavenly Notes 2002"
Heavenly Notes Address:
The JoyPals Network
http://www.joypals.com
JoyPals.com
Copyright 1997-2002
All rights reserved.
JoyPals.com-ReformedWomen
Editor & Publisher,
“Heavenly Notes 2002”
* * *
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Heavenly Notes Address:
The JoyPals Network
http://www.joypals.com
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