Wednesday, August 8, 2012

The Only Sure Way to Maturity Is Through Pain

The title of this post is a quote from this video, the most recent update on Steve Saint's health following his life-changing accident.  In it, Steve talks about the way God has grown him through the excruciating pain, agony, and challenges that have accompanied his accident.  This man's story - not only his life story and incredible innovations for the mission field, but his story through this chapter of his life - are incredibly encouraging and edifying for believers.  And it's not just in the sense that you feel sorry for him, appreciate your own health and blessings more, or anything like that, although that's certainly a part of it.

What is so encouraging to me from Steve's testimony is the way he is viewing his circumstances through the lens of God's sovereign goodness.  It will definitely change the way you see accidents, tragedy, illness, and even death.  God is good - all the time.  He is always working for the good of those who love him and who have been called according to his purpose - even through a paralyzing injury.  To be able to see that, and to see how God matures us through pain and difficulty is, in itself, a marker of maturity.  This is a truth that this short article also talks about in a bit more detail.

You can watch all of the updates on Steve Saint below, starting with the first video right after the accident and concluding with the video that was released just today.

"The Next Chapter"

"Best Day Yet"

"I Stood a Mendicant of God"

"There's No Place Like Home"

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