I opened the envelope with the results of my latest MRI to find that my slipped disc had not improved, and a second disc had herniated. A few weeks later, sitting across from the specialist, I was told that I was being removed from the waiting list for surgery and I would be put on the waiting list for physiotherapy instead.
It is now five months later and still no word.
I can feel the effects of the trapped nerves in my movements, pain, numbness, spasms, tears, and negative emotions. I can feel the difference in my typing as I write this newsletter, my fingers don’t quite feel the keys beneath them in the same way they did five years ago. Sin and temptation linger at the borders of the strength that remains. I grow impatient, my tongue slips all the more quickly, and at times I can feel myself allowing anger back in. Weakness gives way to more weakness.
The first months of this year have been tough, but I’m still here, despite the weakness, despite the pain, and somehow, against all earthly odds, I’m better for it.
Each of this week’s articles talks in one way or another about the weakness we face and how the hope we have in Christ transforms that weakness. Whether looking forward to the final day to come, taking a serious look at your present mindsets, or praying into the ways in which you share your vulnerabilities and weakness with others, why not take some time today to give your weakness to God and ask him to transform it for his glory and the good of his people.
It has been a rough five months, that is true, and I am in a lot of pain, but yet I know God is with me through it. When I was first diagnosed with the illness of which the herniated discs are a symptom, it put a strain on my marriage, and by doing so strengthened it. I have been able to encourage others and pray with them in their struggles, and get to grips with the underlying struggles and lies I’ve unknowingly believed for a long time. I’ve been forced to grow more open with and more dependent on my church family, and that has only served to deepen my relationships.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9 Paul says:
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
This has been my prayer these past few months and will continue to be.
Will you join that prayer, and boast all the more gladly of your weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon you?
Grace and Peace,
Adsum Try Ravenhill is married to Anna and together they are passionate about seeing young men and women discipled within the context of the local church. You can find Adsum through his writing at The Raven’s Writing Desk and you can also find Adsum’s articles for GCD here.
Articles of the Week at GCDiscipleship.com
Jesus Will Return to Put the World Right
Scott Lothery
“Humanity continues to strive for utopia, but original sin makes it impossible to achieve. Just like no one can get eggs out of a cake that has been baked, no one can get the sin out of us and the world; no one, that is, except Jesus.”
Midlife and The Striver’s Curse
Ryan Kucera
“Comparison is a cancer that will rob you of joy—especially in midlife. Most of us have so many blessings to rejoice in, but giving ourselves over to comparison kills our gratitude. But if we are surrendered to the Lord and obeying the Great Commandment, we can exhibit a genuine spirit of thankfulness. Deeper still, we can rejoice when things are going well for those around us—even as we navigate our own disappointment.”
A Litany of Humility for Writers
Sara Kyoungah White
“We pray most of all that in sharing our vulnerabilities and our stories, our readers will feel more loved, more esteemed, more seen. We pray for the seed of eternity in the hearts of our readers to be warmed by gospel light and nourished by the waters of our God-ordained stories.”