The Lowest Valley

I am a fan of bluegrass music. That works well living as I do now in the Nashville, Tennessee, area. I was not always a fan. It took a movie directed by two Jewish gentlemen from Minnesota to turn me into one, but a crazy film titled O Brother, Where Art Thou? did the trick. If you were to ask me, “What’s on your IPod?” chances are the answer will either be Alison Krauss or Ralph Stanley.

Just before I moved from Boston to Nashville a friend gave me a Ralph Stanley album of gospel songs. One of the tunes is called “The Lowest Valley,” and the refrain says “When I’m in the lowest valley, I can climb the highest hill.”

Not too Much

Dru has suffered from so many debilitating physical problems that you need a scorecard to keep track. Her battle with diabetes caused her to lose her vision. She had kidney failure, regular dialysis and finally a kidney transplant. She has had at least two surgeries for cancer. Her schedule for doctors’ appointments seems like a fulltime job. Her husband, Paul, is at her side when not working, and he suffers vicariously with her.

But…it doesn’t sound quite right to use the word “suffers” in regard to them. I know it is an accurate description of things they must feel, but together they face their trials with such faith and humor, that it is not the first thing you think of when you picture them. They are encouragers, always thinking of how to strengthen others who face challenges.

In my book, Mind Change, Power Thought #29 reads:

God has not given

you too much.

If there is something you have to

face, you can face it.

If there is something you must

overcome, you can overcome it.

To paraphrase C.S. Lewis:

”When something must be done, there is no use talking

about whether or not it can be done.”

           

It looks like Dru and Paul have an unfair load. But they show us that “God has not given too much” and that living a life of love is something they can still do with joy.

Not too Much

Dru has suffered from so many debilitating physical problems that you need a scorecard to keep track. Her battle with diabetes caused her to lose her vision. She had kidney failure, regular dialysis and finally a kidney transplant. She has had at least two surgeries for cancer. Her schedule for doctors’ appointments seems like a fulltime job. Her husband, Paul, is at her side when not working, and he suffers vicariously with her.

But…it doesn’t sound quite right to use the word “suffers” in regard to them. I know it is an accurate description of things they must feel, but together they face their trials with such faith and humor, that it is not the first thing you think of when you picture them. They are encouragers, always thinking of how to strengthen others who face challenges.

In my book, Mind Change, Power Thought #29 reads:

God has not given

you too much.

If there is something you have to

face, you can face it.

If there is something you must

overcome, you can overcome it.

To paraphrase C.S. Lewis:

”When something must be done, there is no use talking

about whether or not it can be done.”

           

It looks like Dru and Paul have an unfair load. But they show us that “God has not given too much” and that living a life of love is something they can still do with joy.

The Spiritual Battle

King David was aware of his enemies. He writes:

For I hear the slander of many;

There is terror on every side.

They conspire against me

And plot to take my life.

My enemies are just as real as David’s. They are those powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil that Paul describes in Ephesians. They are called “powers” because they are strong and are to be reckoned with. They conspire against me and want to ruin my life. This is not paranoia; it is just facing the facts.

They infiltrate my mind, causing a kind of spiritual auto-immune disease, so my mind can conjure up every possible reason that my failure will be eventual if not quick.

After facing the hard facts, David has a mind change. He says

“But I trust in you, O Lord;

I say “You are my God, my times are in your hands.”

He turns away from fear of his enemies and declares his faith.

Learning from David, I can hear the slander those evil powers broadcast against me, and turn my mind to God saying “But I trust in you, O Lord, You are my God, my times are in your hands.”

In my book, Mind Change, power thought #25 reads:

Don't resent the spiritual battle. 

Be thankful you have the weapons to fight it.

Be glad you are on the winning side.

A Spiritual Way to Think

When we entered the room where Bill was waiting for us, the first thing I noticed was the broad smile. He can no longer move his limbs except for the lower part of one arm, but with that smile he was giving us a warm hug.

Bill has Lou Gehrig ’s disease. Two years ago he was traveling the country as an active expert in the field of sound. Today he is confined to his high tech wheelchair.

Enjoy the Challenge

In the New Testament the apostle Paul says, “[God] comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.”

This is the painful truth: God allows pain. Most of us don’t like it. We profile those who do like it in the abnormal psychology books. But the God who allows pain, for purposes we may not fully understand, also gives comfort. And one of the reasons he gives us comfort is to make us part of what we might call a “comforting chain reaction.”

We are all familiar with a “downward spiral” where one bad experience leads to another one. God wants to create an “upward spiral.” I may get knocked down by something painful. But rather than fall into a downward spiral, I can change my mind, look to God and allow him to give me his comfort and strength…then I can be there for someone else who has taken a tough hit. As I help that person, we are both encouraged, and we are both equipped to encourage someone else.

In my book, Mind Change, Power Thought #20 reads:

Decide to enjoy the challenge.

If it is going to be there, you might as well enjoy it.

God is allowing it for some good purpose.

Like, Jacob, don’t let go of it until it blesses you.

Remember that problems prepare you to give to others.

Accept with Faith

Karen was fifteen when she developed a rare form of muscular dystrophy known as Friedrich’s Ataxia. When she was around thirty she had to use an electric wheelchair that she operated with one hand. She soon required a personal assistant to dress and bathe and prepare food. She met a man named Rich who also used a wheelchair, having been paralyzed from the waist down by polio as a child.

Ten years ago I did their premarital counseling and performed their wedding ceremony. Everyone in the wedding party was seated, including me as the presiding minister because I have MS. The best man was a quadriplegic and, of course, in his wheel chair. I have performed a number of weddings throughout the years but never one more inspiring or more memorable.

Can you imagine the negative thoughts Karen and Rich had to overcome to envision a marriage with their severe disabilities?

But these two special people have learned the power of changing their minds. Karen says, “As my disability has progressed, I am constantly reminded to rethink my attitude, and have a godly focus, realizing that I am given the opportunity to pray much more diligently. I have learned to laugh, instead of getting frustrated.”

In my book, Mind Change, Power Thought # 4 says:

Accept whatever

comes. . .with faith.

Disappointment?  Faith.

Unfairness?  Faith.

Fear?  Faith.

Thank you, Karen and Rich, for showing us faith in difficult circumstances.