I twisted my knee a couple of weeks before Christmas. Our house is built into a hill and goes up and down—that means steps and lots of them. I had shopping, cooking, and gift wrapping to do. Painfully hobbling around on one leg during the holidays seemed like a stroke of bad luck—but was it? Ephesians 1:11 reminded me that God “works all things after the counsel of His will.”
How could being laid up during the holidays be God’s will? Romans 12:2 says that His will is good, acceptable, and perfect. James 1:17 says God is the giver of good gifts. This did not feel good or acceptable to me—or probably my family either—since they had to pitch in and cover for me.
Isaiah 55:8 comes to mind, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD (NASB). God’s logic is not like mine, and my strategies are not like His.
- I value efficiency; He values the process of my sanctification.
- I value comfort and ease; He values my faith and trust.
- I’m impatient; He’s long-suffering.
- I want my way; He wants my best.
Whose ways are better? Isaiah continues in verse nine, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts (NASB). Higher is better. God’s ways rate an A+, mine, well, they don’t even score.
My injury is rather minor in the scheme of things, but maybe that’s the important point. If I have a hard time gracefully accepting relatively small inconveniences how will I ever triumphantly face the really tough stuff of life?
I’ve asked God for the grace to practice His presence and to know Him better through this. Paul saw suffering as one way of knowing Christ better and said that nothing—including convenience, comfort, or economy—can compare with that (Philippians 3:10).
I am still limping and going to physical therapy. I can’t say I know why God allowed me to hurt myself, but it helps to know it wasn’t a stroke of bad luck. God is working out His perfect will for me.
What are you facing that seems like rotten luck? How would knowing your challenge isn’t from bad luck, but rather is something filtered through God’s good will, help you? May we trust Him even when we don’t yet see.
Blessings,
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Love it! My husband also injured his knee the week of Christmas, ended up having surgery and well you know the drill. He is a type A to the hilt. He has such a hard time sitting still and knowing but God used this time to speak into His life and has answered some prayers I’ve been praying for him for years! Like you said I don’t think God caused his knee damage but He sure did use it. Thanks Love your blog.
Thanks for sharing how God met your husband in his hard place. A great encouragement.
Hi Debbie,
I love your insight and the way you serve God through trusting His purpose in everything. He has blessed you with eyes that see the true way not worldly eyes. What a gift/blessing. Thank you for sharing. I do read your blogs and am always uplifted!
Linda