Living With Limits

Psalm 139:14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.

I have often read of those who are able to defy their physical limitations, break new ground and go beyond the boundaries life has placed upon them. They drive themselves forward, never content, but hungry to reach their self-imposed expectations and goals. They never rest until they are the best.

However, perhaps physical limitations are not really a curse or obstacle to defy, but instead, a gift to receive with thanks. And the greatest blessing and grace that we can shower upon ourselves is to accept our limitations and live contentedly with them.
Of course, we may be accused of being a defeatist or weak or lacking faith by some. But it takes great courage and faith to surrender ourselves to God and trust in His wisdom rather than our own. David declares his wonder and praise for a God who made us perfectly. All that our Lord does and allows to our body is good – whether we understand or not, it still remains good.
The fact is, God is a loving Father who sometimes places physical limitations on our body for our good. And the good He intends is that we will reach out to Him, trust Him in our limitations and grow more like Jesus in nature – whose whole life by the way, was fully dependent on His Father (John 5:19).

Romans 8:28 All things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.

It’s comforting to think that our God is working out what we think is best or what we would like. But God has something far greater in mind. The good He intends is that we become like Christ. And if it takes physical limitations to bring about that result, then that is what we need!
This is not a time to strive in our own strength, but to surrender to His. It is not a time to be dissatisfied and drive ourselves on to reach unrealistic goals. In doing so, we are undermining the very good work our Father is seeking to do in our lives. Instead, the invitation is to be still and know that He is our God whose ways are far beyond our knowing, whose love will hold us securely and who rejoices over us with gladness and singing.

Whatever limitation God has placed upon our lives, let’s recognize that it is for our good. When we struggle, and that is a given, we can always prayerfully seek our caring Father, asking that He would assist us in accepting our limits and living joyfully and peacefully with them.