A Prayer for Obedience, in Honor of Charles Stanley

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” – Psalm 27:14 NLT

It was the loudest I have ever screamed. Pain shot through my body, stole my breath and left me crumpled on the floor. It wasn’t the first time I’d fallen, but it was the first time I’d fallen like that. I heard an audible crack as my back smacked into the staircase and felt sure it was broken in half. Limping to the couch, struggling to breathe, all I could do was cry. Pathetic, painful, sorrowful cries. Cries for help, aching to breathe and hoping to stand again. My family encircled me as I gasped for air. I slowly stood, and gratefulness started to wash over me as all the limbs and functions of my body seemed to slowly return. Struggling through the rest of the day, severely sore and worried about internal damage, my feelings of gratefulness kept washing over me. Grateful to stand, walk, breathe, and move. Funny but not so funny, how a literal trip down the stairs caused the possible end of life to flash before me. I’m fine with meeting Jesus, anytime, but the pain of that moment is something I will never forget. Waiting for my breath to return took bravery and courage …all I could do was wait …patiently …on the Lord.

Charles Stanley is known for this piece of sage counsel: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.” Obedience takes courage. In my breathless moment of severe pain, I didn’t feel very courageous. But as the day went on, I remembered Who goes before me. God.

Read the full devotional here.

Video by Kayla Koslosky

Stock footage courtesy: ©Soundstripe Library

Photo courtesy: ©Soundstripe Library/SWN Design