An excerpt from my book, “One Arm One Leg 100 Words, Overcoming Unbelievable Hardships”
There is a natural temptation, after putting your Isaac on the altar to take him back. This is often done by walking in fear, doubt and unbelief, which occurs when you stop trusting God’s provision.
Randy Ashburn, one of my spiritual mentors, put it this way: “Why would you have an affair with fear, or commit adultery with doubt, or have the Holy Spirit catch you in bed with unbelief? Can you imagine the Holy Spirit asking you, ‘I thought we had a special relationship? I thought you trusted Me? How could you sleep with My enemy like that?’”
It is a powerful visual image that has changed my life. Most of the time, I no longer fear anything in my life because I know that “all things work together for your good” (Rom. 8:28), and that “My God shall supply all of your needs” (Phil. 4:19). God made us a promise to give us “peace that passes all understanding” (Phil. 4:7). He provides for us so much better than we could ever provide for ourselves. Today, I am a very wealthy man spiritually as a result of this truth that resides within me, it is true riches.
Physical challenges
Another thing that I had to deal with at that time in my life was new physical challenges. I was always healthy and in good physical condition all of my life. I ran when I was younger and even competed in a marathon relay once. After falling on the ice while showing my 14-year-old daughter how to ice skate years ago, I injured my knee, and needed arthroscopic surgery.
As a result, I instead became an avid walker. I discovered that I did my best praying and thinking when I was walking. So naturally I walked miles and miles during these trials. I literally walked my feet into a painful arthritic condition. At 54 years of age, my feet felt like the feet of an old man who walked with a limp.
I found out firsthand what it felt like for Charlene to have her body let her down. At one point, we were both in electric wheelchairs at Wal-Mart shopping… that was a sight. I was beginning to show signs of old age. I was too young to become old, and this really bothered me.
However, I was determined to believe God for a supernatural healing of my feet. I had to realize that all things come under His protection, including my physical health. I asked Him to help me walk without pain in my feet, and not to limp along like an old man. I went to physical therapists, acupuncturists, bought expensive support shoes, and attended prayer meetings, but in the end, I believe that God simply healed my feet.
Today, my pain is much better managed to the point that I can walk without pain or a limp almost all of the time. Of course, there were many things I had to give up so that I didn’t aggravate the problems in my feet. I had to sell my sail boat, stop walking for exercise, and stop playing sports, but I still had my bicycle riding to keep me in shape, which I thoroughly enjoy.
Twice a year, I go to Mexico with friends to ride our bikes from Rosarito Beach to Ensenada, a 51-mile ride along the scenic ocean, and through the majestic mountains. I am grateful to God that I have a good cardiovascular system, and am in good enough shape to do these rides. I will continue to do them as long as I can.
I am now aware that I cannot do the things that I used to do when I was 20, 30, or even 40 years old. That’s okay. I know that one day I am getting a brand new super human body.
The Bible promises that we will get new bodies in heaven that never get sick and will live forever. I am excited about it, and I look forward to it with great anticipation!
This is just a another chapter of my book “One Arm One Leg 100 Words, Overcoming Unbelievable Hardships”. You can buy the book by clicking this link. And surely, you will not stop reading it from the beginning till the end of this book.