Daily Delight

When I was younger I loved the thrill of a rollicking roller costar ride.  The slow click.click.click of the accent before the exhilarating crashing descent was the stuff of midsummer adventures.  Fast forward to now, and my fondness for such dizzying rides has long diminished.  Imagine my dismay, then, as I recently found myself on a ‘roller coaster’…emotionally.

Mid-summer I experienced a twinge of pain during my morning workout.  “No big deal” I told myself.  But eventually that small twinge became an ever-present ache and cause for further investigation by my doctor.  X-rays indicated a possibility of future medical concerns and the treatment so far has not resolved the acute issue at hand.

I won’t candy coat it…my initial response to the prognosis felt like a steep decline of a roller coaster.  I was discouraged.  I began crafting future health scenarios for myself based on some worst-case examples.  I then continued the ‘ride’ into a spiral of self-condemnation based on my past lifestyle choices and carelessness that may have contributed to the condition.  

Thankfully I don’t have to remain on this track.  Fixing my mind on what is true and perfect and right changes my perspective.  “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26)  

There is no denying my flesh is failing me at the moment, and losing heart can almost be instantaneous in the midst of pain and uncertainty.  But refocusing my heart’s eyes on God brings renewed peace.  “Strength” in Psalm 73:26 can also be stated as “Rock”.  Hope in God is a certain foundation.  Hope is not a denial of difficulties, but it is a firm place to land in the midst of them.  Riding the emotional roller coaster of insecurity is not living from the solid rock of faith, available to us all.  I know that He will give me strength of heart to endure chronic health challenges even when my flesh fails.  He is and will be my “portion forever”.

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Photo: @michelleleahphotography

	Bonnie Arrends
	Bonnie is a woman who finds her identity and mission in Jesus. She is passionate that others will come to know the Living Hope that she lives in and from each day. Bonnie's life verse is, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15). Bonnie lives 'in the middle of a cornfield' with her farmer husband and son. She enjoys the space and quiet of rural living and is especially thankful for the beautiful sunsets she experiences over the farm's vast pastures.