Anyone who takes the Bible seriously agrees that God hates suffering. Jesus spent most of his time relieving it. But when being healed becomes the only goal - 'I'm not letting go until I get what I want' - it's a problem. Joni Eareckson Tada More Quotes by Joni Eareckson Tada More Quotes From Joni Eareckson Tada God is more concerned with conforming me to the likeness of His Son than leaving me in my comfort zones. God is more interested in inward qualities than outward circumstances - things like refining my faith, humbling my heart, cleaning up my thought life and strengthening my character. Joni Eareckson Tada christian faith god God uses suffering to purge sin from our lives, strengthen our commitment to Him, force us to depend on grace, bind us together with other believers, produce discernment, foster sensitivity, discipline our minds, spend our time wisely, stretch our hope, cause us to know Christ better, make us long for truth, lead us to repentance of sin, teach us to give thanks in time of sorrow, increase faith, and strengthen character. Joni Eareckson Tada discipline character commitment Real satisfaction comes not in understanding God's motives, but in understanding His character, in trusting in His promises, and in leaning on Him and resting in Him as the Sovereign who knows what He is doing and does all things well. Joni Eareckson Tada understanding-god real character This is the only time in history when I get to fight for God. This is the only part of my eternal story when I am actually in the battle. Once I die, I’ll be in celebration mode in a glorified body in a whole different set of circumstances. But this is my limited window of opportunity, and I’m going to fight the good fight for all I’m worth. Joni Eareckson Tada battle fighting opportunity My wheelchair was the key to seeing all this happen—especially since God’s power always shows up best in weakness. So here I sit … glad that I have not been healed on the outside, but glad that I have been healed on the inside. Healed from my own self-centered wants and wishes. Joni Eareckson Tada keys self wish Each one of us is God's special work of art. Through us, He teaches and inspires, delights and encourages, informs and uplifts all those who view our lives. Joni Eareckson Tada uplifting faith art Nothing is a surprise to God; nothing is a setback to His plans; nothing can thwart His purposes; and nothing is beyond His control. Joni Eareckson Tada surprise purpose christian Faith 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 Tada faith long believe Nothing is a surprise to God; nothing is a setback to His plans; nothing can thwart His purposes; and nothing is beyond His control. His sovereignty is absolute. Everything that happens is uniquely ordained by God. Sovereignty is a weighty thing to ascribe to the nature and character of God. Yet if He were not sovereign, He would not be God. The Bible is clear that God is in control of everything that happens. Joni Eareckson Tada sovereign purpose character The weaker we feel, the harder we lean on God. And the harder we lean the stronger we grow. Joni Eareckson Tada chronic-pain harder stronger I'd rather be in this wheelchair knowing God than on my feet without him. Joni Eareckson Tada wheelchairs knowing feet Most people wish they could erase suffering out of the dictionary. Today's culture of comfort and instant gratification has no patience for suffering - most people want to drug it, escape it, divorce it; do anything but live with it. Joni Eareckson Tada divorce drug people 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 Tada hate hurt fall Like art, like music, like so many other disciplines, prayer can only be appreciated when you actually spend time in it. Spending time with the Master will elevate your thinking. The more you pray, the more will be revealed. You will appreciate not only the greatness of prayer, but the greatness of God. Joni Eareckson Tada greatness prayer art Even at the cross, God permitted what he hated - the unjust and agonizing death of his own precious Son - in order to accomplish something he prized above his own Son's cruel death; that is, salvation for a world of sinners. So the world's worst murder becomes the world's only salvation. Joni Eareckson Tada order world son Heartache forces us to embrace God out of desparate, urgent need. God is never closer than when your heart is aching. Joni Eareckson Tada embrace heart needs I want to stay in the habit of 'glancing' at my problems and 'gazing' at my Lord. Joni Eareckson Tada gazing problem want The best we can hope for in this life is a knothole peek at the shining realities ahead. Yet a glimpse is enough. It's enough to convince our hearts that whatever sufferings and sorrow currently assail us aren't worthy of comparison to that which waits over the horizon. Joni Eareckson Tada hope christian heart God's purpose in increasing our trials is to sensitize us to people we never would have been able to relate to otherwise. Joni Eareckson Tada purpose trials people Nothing 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 Tada boss guy hurt
