Allow God to use your afflictions to shape your life, knowing that though they feel unpleasant now, they bring sweet spiritual growth and grace.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada. I don’t know who said it, or exactly when I heard it, but somewhere in my paralyzed life, a Christian friend said, “Joni, sanctified afflictions are your spiritual promotions.” Wow that resonated with me back then and it still does today after decades in my wheelchair. It’s like the treading of grapes will always bring out the sweetest juices from the vine. The working of affliction, in the same way, feels unpleasant at the time, but it brings out the sweetest graces, not the least of which is that we become weaned from the world. We learn how to rest in God. And we understand the meaning of submission. Yes, I’m in a wheelchair, but you may be facing other sorts of limitations. And friend, all I can say is, use afflictions while you have them. You won’t have them in heaven. So today, allow God to tread grapes in your life. It’s always unpleasant at first, but very sweet in the end.
© Joni and Friends