It is clear to most of us standing on two feet the limitations of someone confined to a wheelchair. Though we may understand intellectually what a struggle another’s wheelchair is to them, we may not understand emotionally until we ourselves lose our own faculties and recognize the many blessings standing folks take for granted. It is said that to understand another, we walk a mile in their shoes. But have we ever tried getting around in someone else’s wheelchair for a day?
Like those chair bound, some infirmities are more obvious than others, but the truth is most of us carry burdens that the eye cannot see, some incredibly heavy. A good many of us are quietly bound to spiritual wheelchairs and struggle with internal limitations that others may never fully understand. While we may not personally grasp another’s challenges through our own experience seeing as our lives are custom and our spirits are unique, we can at least attempt to extend compassion and mercy so that we may truly love and lift one another.
Due to our fallen natures, we are not always able to offer the love another truly needs. Without anyone’s compassion, the souls who bear their infirmities seemingly alone in their grief still have great reason to hope. The Lord of all who has descended below all of our experiences knows how to succor us in our afflictions. If anyone understands suffering more than the souls that suffer, He does. As we seek Him, He will not only extend the compassion we need but the staying power to endure our trials. As He buoys us, our burdens will succumb to His refining influence.
Without a doubt, the Lord has the power to heal us of both our physical and spiritual maladies. At His discretion, He may offer this miraculous healing, but some of our challenges we may struggle with for life. The good news is, He will renew our physical bodies through the power of His glorious resurrection. We are promised new and perfect bodies that will be no longer bound by the mishaps of this fallen world. But more importantly, at any time He can redeem our souls. As we trust in His promises and follow His way, our spirits can and will be made whole.