…I am just now getting back to this story. It’s been 6 months today but felt I should still post it.

This will forever be embedded in my mind as one of the most uninvited experiences of my life. When I was told I needed a knee replacement I honestly didn’t think it was going to be so hard. I’ve had two knee surgery repairs in the past but they were nothing like this.

I’m almost at week 6 of the recovery and I’m still very weak. Sciatica pain for the last 3 weeks have just wiped me out. But…I am beginning to get better. A tiny bit better.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What could God mean when He says to count it all joy?? I don’t believe it to be happy during or for our trials, but for us to know in our heart that it will produce joy in the end.

I suppose going to the gym to exercise is not fun (well, not for most) but, will produce health, strength and of course good feelings about how we look. So, ultimately it brings joy. Same concept as trials. Afterwards it brings joy…if we stay the course. If we don’t stay the course and quit before it’s complete, then we just keep looping around and around!

If you are walking through a trial right now and you love Him I encourage you to be strong and know that He is working it out for your good.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This knee surgery was really tough physically and emotionally for me. I had just uprooted my life and moved to another state a month before! I was going through so many emotions and physical pain all at once. But I can say today, 6 months later, that He has taken good care of me and He will for you as well. God never leaves our side even when we don’t feel it.

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Thanks for stopping by the journal today. I hope you’ve been encouraged !