I have dealt with back pain for most of my adult life. I remember times when my back would “go out,” as those with back issues say. It would hurt for a week or so then I’d be better until the next time.
There was one time this happened when I tried to move something entirely too heavy. I felt the pain immediately. I thought to myself, “Well I’ll hurt for a week or so and then I’ll be okay.” Not this time. No this time I would hurt for over a year. I would get to the point that I couldn’t stand up straight and I had to walk very slowly. Standing or walking was very painful. There wasn’t really a position that I could get in that relieved the pain. I even dreamed about the pain that I was in because I was hurting in my sleep. I prayed and prayed for healing. I got prayed for many times. I saw many doctors and I tried everything that I could to get some relief. Nothing helped.
One thing I never did though is miss a day of work because I was hurting. One day one of my bosses approached me after months and months of dealing with this. I could tell that he was in pain. He told me that he had pulled a muscle a couple weeks before and he was hurting badly. He asked, “how do you do this?” I told him, “You just put one foot in front of the other all day long.”
Sometimes we get injured in our lives in a spiritual or emotional way that affects our spiritual walk. We try to overcome it every way that we can. We pray over it, we seek guidance through it, we lean on our friends and we lean on God. Sometimes though we still can’t get free from it. It affects how we walk and how we stand. We may not be as swift as we used to be, but we keep showing up. We find ourselves just putting one foot in front of the other. As long as we are doing this though it means we have not quit. No, we don’t quit walking with God even though we may walk with a limp. Jacob had an encounter with God that caused him to limp the rest of his life. But Jacob kept walking even though he had to lean on his staff.
Hebrews 11:21 KJV By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
I think you could read this in this way. By faith Jacob worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. Because his faith kept him walking.
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NET
8 I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me.
9 But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.
10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
God’s grace is enough. He can bring us through our trials, our pains, our disappointments. He didn’t deliver Daniel from the lion’s den, but in it. He didn’t deliver the 3 Hebrew Boys from the fiery furnace, but through it. Dear brothers, do not be surprised, as if it was something strange, if your faith is tested as by fire: But be glad that you are given a part in the pains of Christ; so that at the revelation of his glory you may have great joy. (1 Peter 4:12-13 BBE)
We as Jacob can continue to walk by faith, For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV)
We as Paul can say when I am weak, then I am strong. We must hold onto our faith. Be careful. Hold firmly to your faith. Have courage and be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13 ERV)
We must keep the faith even if we have to limp across the finish line. We must never give up and continue to put one foot in front of the other.
Psalm 116:10 BBE I still had faith, though I said, I am in great trouble.
2 Timothy 4:7 KJV I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
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