“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).”
I strongly believe this to be true. People tell me “you’re so strong” all the time. Perhaps I am; but for me to be here is a part of God’s plan. He controls everything. We have to understand that everything happens by Him and for Him. I think sometimes people have this misconception that they are rewarded because of their effort or hard work and things they do. Good things happen to them. They get surprised when bad things occur. But God allows suffering sometimes.
One of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do was return to school in a wheelchair my senior year in October of 1994. When everyone was thinking of prom and spring break, I was learning how to have a physical challenge. There are things we live through, only by God’s grace. And only God has kept me. He has made me happy.
I finished high school on time. My real friends stayed with me, even if they were few. I learned to drive, still went to college, worked, and even walked! The majority of people with spinal cord injuries don’t walk much at all. Doctors usually say the chances are slim to none. To be able to walk from day-to-day is a blessing. And the best part is, I still have faith.
The beauty is that joy and suffering are interchangeable.
So, I’d like to ask you today—no matter what you’re going through, which will you choose? Joy, or sorrow? I hope you’ll choose joy!
About Zina
Zina Hermez authored the book Not Without God: A Story of Survival and created the Spinal Cord Injury Solutions! on line website. Zina works as an English Language Instructor, and has been an educator for nearly fifteen years her thousands of students have been from many parts of the world and she’s worked with all ages.
Zina writes articles on faith and overcoming disability and her stories have been featured in Christianity Today, Spinal Cord Injury Zone, SCI Access, newsletters, and medical journals among many other various publications. To learn more about Zina visit http://zinahermez.com.
notwithoutgod.net 