On August 4th my life changed forever.
I was enjoying a relaxing morning off from work when I got a notion to accompany my son Liam on his bicycle ride to school; a bonding ritual that we have done together many time before.
As we departed on the 1.5 mile journey through the jungle of our single family neighborhood our spirits were high. For me, I have always enjoyed spending quality time with my boys and this time was no exception. The ride was full of encouraging conversation about doing your best, being set apart from the world, and living out the values and principles that God shares with us in his Word.
After about 15 min of cycling we arrived at my son’s school. I gave him a big hug, told him how much I loved him, and how proud I was of his 5th grade efforts. Within a few seconds he disappeared into the large brick building. A great beginning of a perfect day…or so I thought.
Seconds later, as I began my return route to the house I felt energized and found myself enjoying the familiar feeling of flight as I bombed downhill on the neighborhood streets. Faster and faster I went until I approached my turn onto Polk St. In a split moment I decided to cut the corner by getting onto the sidewalk and in the flow of instinct I descend off the sidewalk curb onto the street; the bike launched into the air.
As I came in for my landing the bike hit wet pavement and BAAAM… I went down hard on my right shoulder!
A rush of intense pain hit my brain like a semi tuck! The deep burning sting in my upper chest, coupled with the inability to move my right arm, screamed loud and clear saying I was in serious trouble and in need of immediate medical attention. Within 10 min I was back home (yes, I decided to ride the bike back) and in another 10 min I was in the Emergency Room (thanks to my faithful and loving wife).
The results? Five broken ribs, a shattered collar bone, and a partially collapsed lung!
Four days later and after 2 hours of surgery I found myself at home in lots of pain, immobilized, hooked to an oxygen machine, and feeling like a 90 year old broken down “hardware store” because of the plate and eight screws used to reassemble my broken clavicle. What a real life changing trial!
Finding the good in bad things
It has now been 2 ½ months after my hard stop landing. During this time, I have spent many hours in personal and spiritual evaluation, physical therapy, and thought about life realignment. I am happy to say that I feel much better and that things are getting more recognizable and back to normal though things will never truly be the same as they were -- and that is a good thing.
As I have had much time to think about my accident and the trails presented, I have been reminded of what James wrote in chapter 1:2-4:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
When I read this passage there are a few things that stand out to me. First, James asks us to consider (or to be persuaded or to contemplate) it a pure joy (or having deep benefit) when we go through situations of different types i.e. spiritual, emotional, or physical events. James is urging us not to be captivated (or incarcerated) by the immediate lose, pain, or grief but to look bigger using a divine perspective.
The second thing that speaks loud to me in these verses is the testing of the evidence of the things not seen i.e. faith. In Hebrews 11:3 we learn that through faith we gain understanding of how God framed everything seen from the things that are unseen through His Word. James also emphasizes to us that faith, tested through our life trials, produces perseverance (or a course of action) that makes us mature, whole (complete) and fulfilled (not lacking anything).
So what can you do to identify the joy in your trials?
There are many tools that God has given His people to find the blessings in all kinds of trials. From prayer and mourning to discipleship and scripture; God has equipped us all with the ability to see things from His perspective in an effort to grow our hearts to be mature and complete.
As a disciple and life coach with plenty of “life trail” experience I have found it easier to extract the benefits, blessings, and joy from negative experiences and situation by using cognitive restructuring and personal insights. I have learned these by spending time in God’s Word and in self-exploration that has helped me identify my core values, talents, mindset, and unique life purpose. These personal realizations (or anchors) have become guiding lights that have allowed me to filter the truth from the discomfort and confusion of my life trails and to see things of personal value; increasing my faith or unseen evidence that produces spiritual maturity, personal fidelity, and gratitude.
The following knowledge and structure can help you too find joy and meaning in many kinds of life trails.
These structures are powerful and work but like anything else they require practice. I recommend you write them down on a piece of paper and carry them in your pocket for easy access. Practice reading them two to three times per day and see what positive impact they have on your mindset. To help you understand and develop these skillsets even more I will be discussing them in greater detail over the next few months.
Meanwhile, I encourage you to take the initiative and complete Workshop #1: Life Wheel Assessment & Needs in my Life Design: From the Inside Out series. This free audio workshop, with participant workbook and supplemental activities, will help you identify your satisfaction level in life and help you identify your basic set of needs that regulate positive and negative energy flow and direct your actions. The whole workshop series is designed to help you build and identify your own personal operating system.
To access this workshop go here: http://www.intolifedesign.com/workshop-registration
In closing, remember the powerful truth written by Paul in Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”
Amen!