The Goodness of God in Stitches, Black Eyes, and Bruises
Lessons from a fall
The title of this post is intentionally ridiculous, but there is a lesson to be learned about God's goodness, even in the minor injuries that come from trying to do the best thing.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified ( ESV 1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed ) Hebrews 12:12-13).
Last week I took my dog out for a run/walk. I do this several times a week; I may not be 30 anymore, but I refuse to acquiesce. I pretend I can maintain the speed and agility of two decades ago--even though I've never been particularly fast nor agile. I'm not a super athlete, but I'm stubborn and determined to do more than my physical limitations allow.
Back to last week. I was SOOO close to meeting a goal for a mile run that I kept running down a steep neighborhood hill--with a 65 pound dog's leash strapped around my waist. Use your imagination--I'm still not sure whether I tripped over the dog, the uneven sidewalk, or my own feet. What I do know is that I texted my husband (probably the best decision I made all day) and headed to the ER for stitches in my head and a CAT scan. (Surprisingly, my brain is intact; even when I don't use it.) I'm fine. Humbled, but intact. I'll have some new scars, but scars are cool, right? And no, I didn't even hit that goal!
What does all of this have to do with the goodness of God? I'm not badly injured, my husband works at home and got to me in about 15 minutes, everyone at the ER was fantastic (shout out to Northside Cherokee), and I was home for dinner. That would be enough, but when I look for the goodness of God, I see larger lessons for my life: physically and spiritually.
I thought it might be wise to invest in some mobility and injury prevention training (I know, I should have done it before). On the first day I realized that my right knee is FAR stiffer than my left, and if I didn't start doing something, I would continue to trip over myself and not be able to recover. So, even before the stitches are out, I'm working to address the issue that caused the fall. That work should help me be stronger for the next 20 years. I'll still be slower than I want to be, but I'll be moving.
Could God have sent an angel to keep me from falling? Sure, but what would be the outcome? Would I say, "Thank you," or would I think "Glad I recovered?" To see God's goodness is not to focus on what happened, but rather what He has to teach through the situation. My fall is nothing compared to the hardships and tragedies that befall other people, but the lesson is the same: We cannot second guess the mind of the Lord or why things happen to us. We can, however, respond by searching for His goodness.
The Psalmist wrote, "O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear" (Psalm 10:17). A fall is not an affliction, but the Lord sees, and listens if we call out to Him. True affliction, like the persecution of believers in Nigeria, Yemen, and North Korea, has far more severe consequences than a few stitches, yet the Christians there still see the goodness and faithfulness of God. One Iranian believer said, "It's a daily battle to keep our faith in such hostile conditions. But God is good!"
But God is good. His very nature is goodness and it cannot be altered nor diminished by human discomfort (like an injury), pain (like a loss), or suffering. In good times, we look to the Father to train us for whatever may come. In hard times, we lean on the Father for strength, comfort, and rest. At all times, we practice discipline so that our faith's agility and power can keep our paths straight to the praise of His glorious grace and goodness.
Resources:
The ESV Bible. English Standard Version, Crossway, 2001.
“The 10 Most Dangerous Places for Christians.” Open Doors US, 2024, https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/stories/10-most-dangerous-places-Christians/.
