Good Health

by Heather Tietz

Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:13

A morning riddle for you: What do we often overlook when it’s ours, and passionately pray for its return once it’s gone?

Memory. Nimble fingers. Strong feet. Flexible back. Pain-free teeth. Health! This is God’s gift to us — the choice, the desire, the ability to simply eat, drink and work.

Joni Eareckson Tada became a quadriplegic in 1967 when she was just a teen. In a diving accident, she lost movement from her neck down, and with it, her ability to do many of the things she loved.

For two years, she mourned her loss. But gradually she began to realize the blessings that were still there. 2017 marks the fifty-year anniversary of her accident.

Since then, she has written fourteen books, recorded musical albums, become an internationally known mouth artist, and been an inspiration to disabled people around the world.

Joni loves Jesus. Joni is blessed.

We are blessed too, even when we’ve lost much. Our hearing is failing, but perhaps we can cope better with noisy grandchildren. Our sore limbs coax us to sit; perhaps now there’s more time to pray. What’s your health struggle? There is a blessing somewhere in it.

Good health is one of God’s many gifts, but compromised health can also have blessings for the Believer.

Prayer: Thank God for what doesn’t hurt, for what I can move, for what senses are still working. You blessed me more than I realize. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.