Читать книгу Above and Beyond - J.S. Dorian - Страница 80

“When the frustration of my helplessness seemed greatest, I discovered God’s grace was more than sufficient.”

CHARLES CALEB COLTON

Illness usually takes us by surprise, slipping into our lives like a thief in the night. Before we have a chance to regain our senses it can strip us of our carefree spirit, our dignity, our self-confidence, and as much as anything else, our once-strong sense of belonging.

Thieves always take and never give, so it’s hard to imagine gaining anything from illness. Yet, over time, we have indeed gained at least one highly valuable asset, humility, which had always seemed well out of our reach.

In the past, many of us arrogantly believed that we would be healthy forever; self-centeredness convinced us that we were somehow immune to the realities of life. When illness brought us to our knees and showed us just how vulnerable we were, that’s when we gained our first measure of humility. Only then was it possible for us to graciously ask for and gratefully accept help.

Illness also taught us to recognize and accept our powerlessness over people, places, and things. We became better able to see ourselves in perspective with others and the world as a whole. We gained a true sense of what is important and what is not.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Am I open to the lessons and rewards of illness?