Christian Writers Circle

Intimacy with Christ through Limitations by Judy Hitson

2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

Can you think of limitations in your life? For me, it is through aging. The time of life when we slow down and cannot perform as we did at the prime of our life in our thoughts or actions. Disabilities cause limitations whether young or old. Whatever the situation, let us consider renewing our inner man and not let restrictions of the outer man weigh heavy on our mind or keep us from what God has in store for us. There are eternal benefits when we see from God’s perspective.

Do you have reoccurring thoughts that can cause you to lose heart? One I have is, “I’m too old. It’s too late. I’ve missed it.” This was a constant, harassing thought until I discerned it was from the enemy. I learned to refuse it in the name of Jesus Christ and stand on promises from God’s word. For example, “our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed.”

With limitations in your life, do you draw near to the Lord or do you lose heart? When we draw near to God, He draws near to us and we cultivate an intimate love relationship with Him. He reveals His ways for us to fulfill our God-given destiny. As I contemplate limitations people are faced with, I recall caring for an accident victim as a young nurse. It was overwhelming to see a young, beautiful woman paralyzed from the neck down after a tragic fall from a horse. Her life was forever changed. Hopes and dreams were shattered. I don’t know the outcome of her life but the memory of her hospital stay remains fresh in my mind. The Lord helped me understand when a person loses their physical ability, they can still have a full life in Christ. You may know about Joni Erickson Tada who became a paraplegic following a diving accident. Yet through her devastating limitations, she grew in the Lord as a global minister to others with physical disabilities and she is blessed in a marriage relationship to Ken Tada.

When struggling with limitations on earth, let us surrender to the Lord in intimate fellowship with Him and with people of God, staying attune to His Spirit guiding us. In this way, earthly limitations cannot hinder our intimacy with Christ. As we hear His voice, He speaks words of life that matter for eternity. Let us refuse harassing thoughts of enemies of our flesh, the world and the devil. God is with us. Let us find rest in His everlasting arms of love, be still, soak in His presence and receive fullness of joy. He understands our earthly struggles with limitations. He will fulfill hopes and dreams for us. When disappointment or discouragement come, let us look to the living God, receive His appointment for our lives and be encouraged to enjoy life in Him through Christ who gives us strength.

Prayer: Praise and thanksgiving to You Father in heaven, for sending Your Son to earth and leaving Your Holy Spirit who gives us life, to live in the Spirit and not be hindered by limitations on earth. Strengthen our inner man to persevere to the end. Amen.