Sometimes Jesus heals us physically. But sometimes he works an even greater miracle--he heals us spiritually. He gives us the strength and spirit and courage to bear up under life's sufferings. Sometimes he removes the pain, and sometimes he does the even greater work of giving us the strength to endure it. Either is a miracle of the Lord.

In such times, God's greater miracle is to enable us to withstand such horrific pain and loss. He can heal our bodies, and what's more, he can heal our souls. Which do you need him to do for you today?

Consider the example of Larry Nixon, a veteran Baptist pastor who suffered from chronic heart disease. He finally died from his illness in October of 1996. Larry struggled to reconcile his call to ministry with the limitations placed on him by his damaged heart. He trusted the will of God, even when he did not understand it. He trusted the promises and protection of God, even when they seemed to fail him. And he found the answer to his dilemma in a poem he often quoted:

When God wants to drill a man,
And thrill a man,
And skill a man,
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;
When he yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay
Which only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!
How he bends but never breaks
When His good he undertakes.
How He uses whom He chooses,
And with every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendor out.
God knows what He is about.

And that is enough.