True, God hates Alzheimer's, spinal cord injury, mental illness, autism, and the rest (these conditions are all symptoms of the Fall). Yet he permits these things to accomplish something far more precious in our lives: patience, endurance, compassion for others who hurt, and refined faith and trust in God, to name a few.
Joni Eareckson TadaLet him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.
Joni Eareckson TadaGod lets us continue to feel much of sin's sting through suffering while we're heading for heaven. This constantly reminds us of what we're being delivered from; exposing sin for the poison it is.
Joni Eareckson TadaGod turns on its head one form of evil - suffering - in order to defeat another form of evil - that is, our transgressions. It happened at the cross, and it occurs in the lives of followers of Christ every day.
Joni Eareckson TadaPrograms, systems and methods sit well in the ivory towers of monasteries or in the wooden arms of icons. Head knowledge comes from the pages of a theology text. But the invitation to know God - truly know Him - is always an invitation to suffer. Not to suffer alone, but to suffer with Him.
Joni Eareckson TadaHe has chosen not to heal me, but to hold me. The more intense the pain, the closer His embrace.
Joni Eareckson TadaThats what I love about serving God. In His eyes, there are no little people...because there are no big people. We are all on the same playing field
Joni Eareckson TadaFaith isn't the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It's simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step.
Joni Eareckson TadaSome people tend to believe that I'm a strong believer, a strong Christian, but that's not true. I'm not a strong believer. I'm very weak.
Joni Eareckson TadaThe truth of the matter is, Satan and God may want the exact same event to take place - but for different reasons. Satan's motive in Jesus' crucifixion was rebellion; God's motive was love and mercy. Satan was a secondary cause behind the Crucifixion, but it was God who ultimately wanted it, willed it, and allowed Satan to carry it out. And the same holds true for disease.
Joni Eareckson TadaI deal daily with chronic pain and, at times, my pain feels like a lemon that God "squeezes," revealing my sour attitude, peevish spirit, and tendency to complain or grumble. Did not God use my pain to expose my sin, I might - like many of us - not be aware of the sin of which I'm capable.
Joni Eareckson TadaContentment ... has an internal quietness of heart that gladly submits to God in all circumstances.
Joni Eareckson TadaNothing will convince and convict those around us like the peaceful and positive way you and I respond to our twentieth century hurts and distress. The unbelieving world-your neighbors, the guy at the gas station, the postman, the lady at the cleaners, your boss at work-is observing the way we undergo our trials.
Joni Eareckson TadaThe times we find ourselves having to wait on others may be the perfect opportunities to train ourselves to wait on the Lord.
Joni Eareckson Tada