God Works His Amazing Plans—Especially Through Hardship

On October 6, 2016, I had my last of three shoulder surgeries. During this painful surgery and slow recovery I had no idea how God’s amazing plans were going to unfold. This experience allowed me to be drawn into an even more extraordinary relationship with God. Without this hardship and the resulting physical limitations, I may never have had the remarkable experience of—His intense love, deep wisdom, power, and the opportunity to experience the phenomenal joy of bringing glory to HIM.

After surgery, I recall sitting alone in silence in the wee hours of the morning, and I was surprised. You see, rather than being troubled about the radical changes I knew would be my new life—I was rejoicing. WHAT? Yes! This is a testament to the miraculous transformation God works in us when we pursue Him with ALL of our heart. Our life is ALL about Him. When He changes our heart, we are filled with the desire to use our circumstances—no matter how bad—for HIS Glory. In the years after this surgery, God continues to do amazing work with my life as a direct result of having a bum shoulder. For example, because I couldn’t play sports, God inspired me to write and record music to glorify Him! The proof of His work is in over 30 songs which are now streaming on multiple music platforms. 

I could have never predicted such a plan; in fact, I had no idea I even had such a gift!

Fast forward, four years later to October 6, 2020, when I had my second bout with Covid. I was once again forced to be still and meditate on God’s Word, enjoy His presence, and give Him the burden for all the work that was not being done. I was so weak that I could hardly get out of bed for over two weeks. It was a slow recovery but it was wonderful. I was forced to completely rest in the knowledge that God had a plan. It was the spiritual reset that I needed to go deeper with God. Evidently, I needed a lot of re-setting because I had debilitating Covid three times! The last time I lost over 25 pounds and almost all of my hair.

Each time was just another opportunity to go to the next level with God. 

The Apostle Paul wrote: 

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 

Therefore most GLADLY I will rather BOAST in my INFIRMITIES, that the POWER of Christ may rest upon me. 

Therefore I take PLEASURE in INFIRMITIES, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. 

For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NKJV

It is through our WEAKNESS—not our strength—that God’s POWER rests upon us.

Through my weaknesses and in my times of sickness, God has consistently used His power to change me and to allow me to minister to those who would have not otherwise been in my path (such as the medical personnel helping me). Each bout with “weakness” has opened up countless eternal opportunities. In weakness I can rejoice because—God is trustworthy. I know without a doubt: 

The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. ‭‭‬‬

Exodus‬ ‭15‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV

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