Bishop Wills' Life Journal entry for April 12, 2008, "Bitter or Better"

S: 2 Corinthians 12:7-8 (The Message)
Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I would not get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations.

O: Paul was afraid of getting too big a head as he went around preaching. So, his limitation was a thorn in the flesh to remind him all of his gifts are from God. In fact Paul was able to view his limitation as a gift rather than a curse.

A: I often meet people with limitations in the church. And, as with most painful things in life, the limitation makes you better or bitter.

I am touched when a person who has limitations becomes better rather than bitter.

As a child I had polio in my lower left leg and foot. But for many years I did with my crippled foot what most other people with two good feet could do. But then there came a time when my left foot became less and less useable. All this time I served the Lord with all my ability. God did not heal my foot because, like Paul, it has become a gift to keep me in touch with my limitations.

I get tired easily. I no longer can run. (I used to run 2-5 miles every day.) I can no longer play racquet ball. But rather than sink to depression, I have chosen to thank God for all those years I WAS able to play racquet ball, run every day, and do a host of other things I can no longer do.

God could have healed my foot. But what I found is that God’s grace is sufficient. I live with great gratitude for the times I was able to all those things I love so much to do.

P: Father thank you for today and thank you for the gift of my physical limitations. Your grace is sufficient always. Love, Dick

Y: I yield any bitterness in my heart for my physical limitations.