Looking at this young woman’s skin would make you think that she was in some horrific accident that resulted in third degree burns over her entire body. Not so, Cheryl was born missing the middle layer of her skin. This was part of a birth defect that left her skin without the ability to be properly hydrated and protected. It had an inflamed and blistered appearance that would easily dry out and crack. If this was not enough of a life challenge, Cheryl was also only four foot tall and her hands were like paws. All five finger bones were in each hand, but the skin was not separated into fingers. Many times, my freshman year at college, our paths crossed and our eyes connected and she always smiled at me and said hello in passing. My human nature paralyzed me from going past that hello. One day, she came into the Campus Ministry office and the Director introduced us. We began to get to know each other. Despite the intense and continuous pain that Cheryl lived with 24/7, she was one of the most grateful and joy filled people; who have ever crossed my path. The day that she got her first car; modified to meet her special needs, she was just ecstatic! She was driving now and nothing stood in her way! She lived everyday without limits in the joy of the Lord! Through Cheryl, God broke my phobia and prejudice against people with special needs and unusual appearances and taught me about real joy, the kind of joy that is a fruit of God’s Holy Spirit. Joy truly is an inward state that is not dependant upon physical circumstances. Perfect health can not produce God’s joy; or perfect circumstances. Money can’t buy it. No one can give it to you. Joy comes from the Lord and is a fruit of the Holy Ghost living inside of you.
My former pastor of three years, John Grant, is a man who has lived in great pain as well, at times. During those three years, he faced chronic pain in his ankle from a fifty year old, high school football injury. He also won the battle of cancer for the third time. Through all of his suffering, Pastor Grant always greeted me with a joyous smile and would respond to my inquiry about how he was doing, by saying, “Great! And the best part is that I’m getting better!” The twinkle in his eye and the warmth of his expression were testimony of God’s joy living in him, despite his physical circumstances.
Galatians 5:22 KJV “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,”
James 1:2-4 KJV My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; (3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
God allows us to experience trials and tribulations in order to help us grow in His perfect character. It is through chastening that we grow and are transformed from carnal, mortal sin; into God’s immortal glory.
Hebrews 12:6-10 KJV “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (7) If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? (8) But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. (9) Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? (10) For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”
We must always keep the big picture of God’s eternal Kingdom, in our hearts and minds. This physical life is so short compared to what lies ahead. The Apostle Paul reminded himself of this continuously.
Romans 8:18 KJV “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
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