DINOSAUR THRASHERS!
Romans 5:3”And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance..”
Lift your back, raise your legs and slowly push yourself up! What? I had just had a major operation, the pain was unbearable with injections poked all over my body, I was writhing with pain, since the stomach had been empty several hours prior to the operation, my energy was drained out, tongue was try, drab surroundings, smell of medicine, lack of sleep, pain, loneliness and in the midst of all this, midnight I started shivering with severe cold because of the saline drips that was sent through my veins; when I wanted to shift myself to a better position on the bed, the doctor told me:
Lift your back, raise your legs and slowly push yourself!
I have never felt so helpless in my life! I am no puny woman, I watched my 75 year old mom give me a sad look who was with me that night. With raw suture wounds in my abdomen after a big operation, I was expected to help myself; I surely was going through classes of more affliction in my life! I bit my lips hard, held my breath, mustered all my strength, lifted my back, raised my legs and slowly pushed myself up. Hurray! I had moved an inch. The whole night I kept doing this, finally I got into a comfortable position. The doctor was right, the nurse was right, I was actually able to do it. Yes, every uncomfortable situation brought out the ‘fighting spirit’ in me! Glory to my Jesus!
This message would surely boost and lift your spirits up! What are you waiting for? Whom are you depending on? Are you looking for someone to come and lift you up? What happens if you don’t get that help? Cease looking around for help, dig within you to start with! Be a mountain climber! Fight your battles yourself! God knew the hospital room where I was admitted, He knew my pain and He knew my situation; yet, He wanted me to come out of self-pity, weakness and grow up to stand on my own. Lift your back, raise your legs and slowly push yourself up! Are you listening?
When you walk out of the divorce court, the painful divorce proceedings are over, the entire family are rejoicing over the ‘end’ of a painful episode, they come out heaving a sigh. The young girl who went through the divorce, the pain, the uncertainty, everything for no fault of hers is now standing in the crowd ( her own family members) wondering, ‘so what next?’ She remembers being used by the man, the hurtful words, the smashed dreams and everything! ‘So what next?’ We have a choice of wallowing in self-pity, getting bitter with everything and everyone or you can, ‘Lift your back, raise your legs and slowly push yourself forward!’ The latter would set you free! Hurray!
I spoke to a mother whose 18 year old daughter ran away with an uneducated, jobless, hindu boy and she said, ‘my daughter is dead!’ This pain is unbearable, irreparable and agonizing; yet, God can help us heal our wounds. Forgive. Hard but we got to try and move ahead rather than die in sorrow. ‘Lift your back, raise your legs and slowly push yourself forward!’ Cheers!
When your husband cheats on you, what do you do? Pack the briefcase and walk out? The devil actually wants you to do that, so that he can move in and destroy the whole family. Whom do you want to please? Satan or God? Tell me. Did you know God answers prayers? You can pray and drive the devil out. Stretch out to pray more, forgive and move on. . ‘Lift your back, raise your legs and slowly push yourself forward!’ Cheers!
How do you handle when ‘tall promises go dud?’ The Company put you on top of their head, used your services, made tall promises of promotion and increment and suddenly the process goes out of their hands, you lose your job, how would you handle this terrible disappointment? Don’t panic. There’s an ocean out there. ‘Lift your back, raise your legs and slowly push yourself forward!’ Cheers!
With great enthusiasm we had arranged for the prayer meeting, flyers were distributed, dates announced, posters were pasted on walls, fasting done; yet, on the day of the particular meeting, ‘the hall was almost empty!’ What does one do now? Close shop on ministry? Tell me. When I wept at the feet of the Lord for an answer, He replied firmly, ‘wash yourself, wipe your tears and prepare for the next meeting.’ That’s it. Nothing more came from HIM. I did exactly that. It’s all about HIM and not about me. ‘Lift your back, raise your legs and slowly push yourself forward!’ Cheers!
Were you abused sexually, cheated, betrayed and thrown away like rotten bananas? Are you hurt, wounded and in severe pain? Are you on depression treatment? Fear not. ‘Lift your back, raise your legs and slowly push yourself forward!’ Cheers!
Has someone walked out on you? Don’t worry, God would send someone better than him. You know what, some people may not leave you, but you have a strange feeling that they are not the same anymore. Have you felt that way? For no reason they turn away from you. Have you experienced that? The pain can be severe if they are someone who is very close to you. Not to worry. ‘Lift your back, raise your legs and slowly push yourself forward!’ Cheers!
In the past 15 years of my walk with God, failures have been many and successes very few; nevertheless, in hindsight, the ups and downs has had a steep learning curve!
