I was in a jet ski accident over a week ago and for six days I walked very gingerly and very cautiously, as if not to bump into anything or let anyone hurt my back. I was weak and the bones in my back and in my ribs were VERY weak. When I finally arrived at the doctor, he pulled out a brace for me to wear and very tightly snugged it on my mid-section. It took a long time to get used to having a "restraint" on me, but as soon as I got off the cold doctor's table, I realized it was easier to stand up. It was easier to walk, to get in and out of the car, and easier to bend over and get something off the floor.
WHY was something easier when there was more restraint??? Because it gave my fragile bones support. No longer was it solely dependent on my cracked vertebrate to allow me to move, they could depend on something much stronger.
"For you were called to freedom, only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Gal 5:13
Although I had been given an extra support for my back, that didn't mean I ran out of the building and went to start training for a race. I didn't begin to lift anything over 20 pounds (doctor's orders). I continued in the same pattern I had before, I didn't have to rely on my own strength anymore though.
We all are weak and fragile. Our bones cannot handle the pressure the world throws our way. We are already broken and there is Someone that wants to put us back together and heal us (see Isaiah 61:1-3). We can try to walk and heal on our own, but we only do ourselves more damage. God showed me very clearly this morning as I put my brace on to wear for the entire day, that His grace is my brace in life. Because I have been given this amazing gift of grace that supports me and sustains me through life, does that give me reason to abuse it or claim it as my own ability? Paul says "May it Never Be!"
DO not resist the brace or grace in your life, allow it to do the healing that is necessary for your broken bones. As your bones heal, use the strength and support He gives to in turn bless someone else's life and love them through your pain. It brings healing.
Through every heartache and pain, there is hope that we cling to and His name is Jehovah Rapha - the LORD is my Healer!!! And what better place to find joy then in the arms of the One who wipes away your tears.
*listen to the song "Healer" by Kari Jobe. A.maz.ing!
