More From Peg Arnold

Gliding along the water on two skis, I felt free. I had no idea how life would change in a few moments.  Sudden injuries can turn our lives upside down. I was so limited following the surgery that I needed help with simple personal tasks. My situation was temporary, but I often think of others whose confinement and limitations were permanent. For me, this injury was a humbling experience.

Simple tasks I had taken for granted could not be done without a request, inconveniencing someone else. It was one thing to disrupt the routines of my family as my limitations had me restricted to a wheelchair. But out in public, I found myself relying on the kindness of strangers for things like opening a door or even picking up something I dropped. This experience has made me truly appreciate having a healthy body and the kindness and support of others. It has also given me time to reflect deeply on my dependency on God. In this state of physical brokenness, I am entirely dependent on the support of others to get through each day.  

When I am not injured, I am independent and able to reach out to help others. However, when I was physically broken, I had to depend on others. What does this reveal about my relationship and trust in God? I have realized the idea of being dependent on God is easy to say but much more challenging to live out. I remember times when we experienced unemployment, causing us to depend on God for our basic needs. We spent time in God’s word during those struggles and sought God daily. However, once work was secured and a regular paycheck started returning, we lost some of the intimacy we had been sharing with the Lord during our time of need.

This experience has prompted me to question whether I was only leaning on God when I was spiritually broken. The scripture in Romans 8 reassures me that God is there to aid me in those moments of weakness and brokenness, interceding for me even when I am at a loss for words in prayer. In the same vein, the Spirit assists us in our frailty. We may not know what to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes for us with wordless groans. And he who examines our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people by the will of God, Romans 8:26-27. This realization has been a profound one for me.

As I gradually regained my independence during the healing process, I was determined not to let my newfound awareness of my dependency on God fade. I yearned to be deliberate in my daily devotions, seeking God’s will for guidance, strength, and direction. I fervently prayed that I would remain mindful of others, whether at home or in public. People had extended their support to me during my time of need, and I was eager to reciprocate that same spirit of giving. This experience has led me to ponder: am I living independently, or am I truly dependent on God, even in times of abundance? This is my daily prayer. How about you?