Sympathetic, Self-Pity

Some years ago a man living in coal country had the misfortune of being involved in a mining accident which necessitated the amputation of his right leg. After a period in the hospital, he went to a prosthesis maker to be supplied with an artificial leg. When the appendage had been strapped to the stump, which was all that remained of the injured leg, the attendant requested that the patient get up and walk across the floor. Awkwardly, the man struggled to his feet and staggered across the room. Then, dragging himself painfully back to his chair, he slumped into it, utterly exhausted and discouraged. “That’s not how to do it,” said the attendant. “Watch this!” Then he walked gracefully across the floor. “Ah,” exclaimed the patient, “It’s all very easy for you because you don’t have any disability.” “Oh, haven’t I?” replied the attendant. “Look.” Pulling up the legs of his trousers, he disclosed that he was not wearing just one artificial limb, but two!

Too many times we doubt or we get depressed and discouraged and we are inclined to say, “Jesus, it was easy for you. You were God and could not sin. You never tasted the abundance of daily temptation, toil, and frustration." Yet the writer in Hebrews 4:15 tells us “…we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” So the next time you find yourself doubting you can finish the race, look to Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. The next time you’re depressed about giving up things for God, look to Jesus who gave up even more. Or the next time you’re discouraged, remember the ultimate sacrifice—Jesus bearing the sins of the world on the cross as God turned His back, to say “I love you” to us.

Lord bless,

Bro. Harry Shomaker

1 comment:

JTR said...

This was a blessing! Thanks.