By God’s grace, He has given each of us gifts and talents that are to be used to grow and glorify His kingdom. When someone hears the word “gifts” they automatically ponder upon something that is exciting- perhaps a Christmas present or the latest piece of technology. Much like the gifts we give each other, God provides us with talents that offer us, and the people who surround us, with happiness.
In my opinion, as we grow as Christians, God adds to the talents that He has already blessed us with. Much like coal must be subjected to heat and pressure to turn into a diamond, God must subject us to trials and turn them into triumphs to provide us with the gift of resilience. Webster’s Dictionary defines resilience as “the ability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation caused especially by compressive stress.” Three years ago, my life changed. Little did I know God was about to give me the gift of resilience.
At the end of my high school career, I was diagnosed with Pilonidal Disease. I was even told I would not be able to walk across the stage to accept my high honors diploma. This was devastating to me, I had worked so hard for thirteen years, and now that dream was gone. It was on that day that I made a decision. Much like Job, I was going to use whatever trail that came my way to inspire the people around me. I knew people were watching how I handled this situation. I wanted them to know that if I can overcome this then, with God’s unchanging hand, they will come out triumphal too. Victory #1 was when I walked across the stage to accept my diploma. Three years have passed, I have had 15 "procedures", overcome MRSA, defeated PTSD, and my wound has been painfully packed over 1,000 times. As you are reading this, I am achieving Victory #2 (returning to college).
More than anything, I want people to hear my story and know that God has never left my side- and if He hasn’t left me, He won’t leave them! In Romans 5:3-4, God writes “… We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” That is how God is using my gift of resilience! He turned my trial into a triumph, and by doing so, God is providing others with hope!
So I invite you to take this journey with me... A journey that is guaranteed to provide smiles, tears, and many, many laughs!
-Logan
I am so happy that you are now 100% healed! Praise God!! I hope that you reach all your goals in life! And you still have my prayers!
ReplyDeleteAbigail
God is good! Study hard and do well for yourself and others.
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