“Would you believe? There’s 15% salt in these garbanzo beans,” said the man beside me. The grocery store aisle of canned beans offered confusing choices. Turning to him I replied, “Good you’re paying attention. I’m a nurse. Are you having health problems with your heart?”
Paul went on to share he had some coronary artery occlusions and was engaged in a cardiac exercise program when he suffered a tear in a lower leg tendon.
“So how are you recovering from all that?” I asked. ‘With surgery, painful therapy and prayer. One day I was so frustrated with lack of progress, I told God I couldn’t take it anymore.”
Paul continued, “I immediately got a picture in my mind of soldiers returning from the mid-east without arms and legs. My whining and self-pity turned to thankfulness. God encouraged me to be grateful my situation wasn’t worse.Then he gave me more peace and patience. My leg is healed enough now to return to exercising.”
“Paul, that’s brilliant. Heart and muscular-skeletal injuries heal quicker with a positive attitude and prayer. With your worry and stress relieved, the muscles relaxed and cells were better nourished. I’m so encouraged by your story,” I responded smiling.
We both agreed God is good even in tough situations and I thanked Paul for invigorating my faith. I’m convinced prayer, thankfulness and praising God change things for the better.
Not always on my timetable, just as Paul experienced. But in the waiting, I’ve learned invaluable lessons causing me to be more thankful, compassionate and patient.
Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
(NLT: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
(NLT: Philippians 4: 6 – 7)