Trust in God

A few years ago I had knee surgery for a torn ACL and meniscus, injuries usually associated with athletes. I however injured my knee while bowling, certainly not what I would ever have expected.  My rehabilitation included four weeks without putting any weight on my knee. Although I had crutches I actually found the easiest way to get around my home was in my wheeled office chair. My chair enabled me to move from room to room with the ability to carry things which I could not do while using crutches.

After four weeks of not bearing any weight on my knee which also meant not placing weight on my foot, I was able to place a small amount of weight on my knee. During this entire time I was undergoing physical therapy to work on range of motion and strengthening exercises.

When I was finally able to bear the entire weight of my body on my knee I was afraid. The doctor said I no longer needed the crutches and for me to walk without them. After not bearing any weight and gradually adding weight I did not feel comfortable without the crutches that I had become accustomed to using. I actually thought if I put my weight on my knee I would fall.

After a few minutes I stood without the crutches and walked without any problems. It felt strange, like I was learning to walk for the first time. Initially I was apprehensive but quickly became confident in my ability to stand and walk.

Sometimes we have the same experience with our faith. We stand strong in our faith until it’s tested. Before my knee was injured I walked, ran, jumped and bowled never giving any thought to how my body weight was being supported. After I was injured I was afraid to trust in what I previously had never given a second thought.

How has your faith been tested? How have you responded to the test? God allows certain things to occur in our lives to increase our trust in Him. He wants us to be in a position where we trust in Him before we think. The fiery darts however that the enemy uses to attack our mind are used to place doubt in Gods ability to do what He says He will do. The enemy wants us to think first, wonder if God can or will do what He has already promised He will do, try and figure out how He is going to do what He says He will do, then be on guard, watching and waiting for the manifestation of what we believe should happen. If we do not see the results we expect then the enemy tries to convince us that God is not with us, which is completely contrary to His word.

We read in Matthew 28:20 …and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Hebrews 13:5 reads… for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. And finally Isaiah 55:11 reads so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

My mother had knee replacement surgery. During her rehabilitation she used a cane. She became dependent upon the cane and against her doctor’s advice continued to use her cane and never walked without it.

I could have been so afraid to put weight on my knee that I altered the way I walked placing more weight on the knee that did not have surgery but I didn’t. I chose to balance my weight on both knees.

Are you trusting fully in God, or are you leaning to your own understanding, as we are advised not to do in Proverbs 3:5, depending on your own abilities as a crutch, or safety net because you don’t have complete faith in God?

Just as I chose to place my full weight on my knee I place my full trust in God, the only sure and steady foundation.