“Suffering. [There’s] not much good in it. But it will teach you who you are. It’s a textbook that will show you the stuff of which you are made.” (Joni Eareckson Tada)
Joni Eareckson sustained a broken neck during a diving accident in 1967. After 56 years of paraplegia and, more recently, two bouts of stage 3 cancer and pulmonary hypertension (“I don’t even now what that is,” she says) Joni has drunk deeply of the cup of suffering.
As the months and years of my own life tick by I am taking sips of suffering. Only little sips, and from a tiny cup. But I am watching as many of my family and friends are being called to drink from a perpetual cup of suffering. Whether it comes from one of a myriad of sources—chronic pain, broken relationships, significant loss, unfulfilled dreams, mental health issues, or something else—we can expect suffering to weave its way into our lives.
That’s why I want to share this very transparent video of Joni Eareckson Tada as she talks about suffering.
What gets Joni through the agonizing suffering in her life? She says it’s Jesus. As you watch the video you will see how she can say with great love…
Out of all things I’ve learned about [Jesus], he’s so sweet, he’s so lovely, and he’s so worth knowing. He’s ecstasy beyond compare, and I’d much rather be in this wheelchair knowing him like that than to be on my feet without him. Honestly I would.
Joni also relies on the hymns of faith to buoy her. She shares some of those in this video.
Is Joni always perky, always joyful? No, indeed she is not. For one thing, sometimes she struggles with depression.
I manage my heart… I say, “Heart, you are not going to go down that grim, dark road to depression. You’ve been there one too many times.”
I’ve got to tell my heart constantly, “Go find Jesus. He’s your hope. He’s the only one who will satisfy.”
Bring your weary, suffering body to Jesus as you watch this video. Let the Lord restore you soul as you hear Joni tell her story. Go find Jesus if you seem to have lost him. Select a hymn she mentions or one of your own choosing. Look for it in a hymnal. Or go to YouTube and search for one by name or by a familiar phrase. Let its truth wash over you.
If you have a dear one who is experiencing unbearable suffering, share this post with him or her. Sing songs of Jesus’ love and grace and peace with your friend.
Go find Jesus together.
I’m praying for the presence of Jesus in the lives of all who suffer. And that includes you.
In Christ,
Ginger
There is a beautiful hardcover book by Joni with the same title. It’s available on Amazon but it’s on sale at Christian Books for $16.99 (normally $22.99) until August 15, 2023.
Thanks for sharing this Ginger. I remember Joni and her story from way back. It’s good to hear her story more currently and how she deals with the struggles. I find myself dealing with chronic pain for quite a few years now, not very well I might add. It’s more than just good to know Jesus, it’s everything! For when the pain is beyond ourselves and out of control there is but only One that I know who can make sense of it and give reason to something so unreasonable!
Jeff, it sounds like suffering has taught you to trust the Lord with what you can’t control. I’m sure it hasn’t ben easy for you, but it sounds like it has brought you strength and grace. The apostle Peter reminds us that Jesus is our model for how to respond to suffering. Praise the Lord that Jesus has suffered for us, so we know that he can help us when we, too, suffer. (See 1 Peter 2:21 and Hebrews 2:18)
Suffering is universal. But so is the love of Jesus. Great reminder, Ginger.
Yes, Linda, suffering is universal, and it comes in so many forms. What a witness Joni is to the abiding love of Jesus in the midst of our pain!
Ginger
I finally got around to watching this blog, Ginger.
Thank you for sharing this video on the faithfulness of God in showing himself to Joni as she looked for him in her pain.
The depths of their mutual love for each other almost makes you want to suffer, yet I hesitate, realizing that humanly I would never have the fortitude.
I am sure Joni didn’t believe she did either, but she laid hold on His promises.
I plan to forward this to a couple of people with the hope that they will be encouraged by it.
Your BLOGS are such a blessing to so many of us!
I’m glad you got to see Joni’s video, Deanne. You are such an encourager. I am grateful that you shared this with your friends. May they too be touched by the depth of God’s care for us in our suffering and Joni’s hope and trust in the Lord.
The lesson for us is that when we suffer we can experience God’s presence and grace as well, God being our helper.
Ginger