Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope

Shauna: I'm Shauna with Joni Eareckson Tada Sharing Hope. Thank you for joining us. Joni, when I listen to you here on Sharing Hope, I can tell you probably got started on your Bible knowledge as a little girl. Probably learning the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Am I right?

Joni Eareckson Tada: Oh my goodness, yes you were, Shauna. I was raised in the Reformed Episcopal Church and it was very reformed, very evangelical, and early on I memorized that famous phrase that man's chief end in life is to, quote, "glorify God and enjoy him forever," straight out of the catechism.

Shauna: And I just bet that phrase has served you well for many years.

Joni Eareckson Tada: Oh yes, and especially the years I have struggled with pain. Because when I tenaciously cling to God during a season of hard suffering, even if I am imperfectly clinging to him, even if I have to falter or stumble or let go of him, still, when I hold onto God and trust him even when it hurts, even when I don't understand, listen, I am actually glorifying Jesus Christ in a profound way.

Like the other Sunday when I came home from church, I was an emotional mess. I hurt so bad, and there seemed to be nothing I could do about it. No medication can reach my pain when it's that bad. But I kept this thought. I kept reminding myself that if I sang songs of praise like, "Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, sing his mercy and his grace. In his mansions bright and blessed, he's prepared for us a place."

If I could sing that, I was actually glorifying Jesus in a profound way, much more so than if I were not tenaciously clinging to him through that pain. Bite the tongue from complaining and then offer up praise and thanksgiving. And if we cannot muster the words, then recite the stanzas of "Amazing Grace" or the stanzas of "How Great Thou Art" or maybe "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." Turn to him in the hardship and you will be glorifying Jesus in a profound way.

To cling to Christ through a difficult, frustrating situation shows that you believe that Jesus is worth trusting even when he is hard to understand. And remember, because we are united with Christ, our suffering is never isolated. When you cling to him through afflictions, you are actually participating in the life of Jesus who suffered for you.

And friend, that's the way I look at this wheelchair. Because I am united with Jesus Christ, my suffering is part of the pattern of Christ's own life. Like him, I am bearing the burden of a cross so that, like him, I will glorify the Father and enjoy the crown in heaven. So participate in the sufferings of Christ, knowing that the path to glory is not around suffering or tunneling under it or escaping it, but the path is always through it.

Shauna: Oh, Joni, that is a powerful truth when it comes to the way we all suffer, myself included. And listening, friend, if you would like to read the Westminster Shorter Catechism, just Google it. Get to know those questions and answers which for centuries have laid a foundation for our faith. Believe me, your walk with Christ will be richer for it. And from all of us here at joniradio.org, thanks for listening.