'We get knocked down, but we get up again'

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don’t know why things happen as they do, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.

-2 Corinthians 4:8-9

What do the words "crushed" or "broken" mean to you?

Physically, grapes are crushed to make wine; a window can be broken by a baseball. But what about people?

Paul wrote to the Corinthians about the human condition - you can't ignore that troubles abound. Good, decent people can have health problems. Hard workers can find themselves unemployed. Those seeking friends might find themselves - in human terms - alone.

But we are not really alone. God never abandons us.

Does that mean all the world is just rainbows and flowers? Of course not. Humans - with both good intentions and bad intentions - have made many, many messes in this world. We get through this precisely because God never abandons us.

'Who comforts us in all our troubles'

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

-2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Paul gave some wise words. God comforted my troubles after my stroke - not necessarily at the pace I'd prefer, not all at once in a flash, but comfort came to me. 

One goal for this blog is to share and spread comfort - given by God - to others who need it.

Troubles can be so real - slow recovery, daunting physical problems, language challenges, and more. Be ready to accept God's comfort, and be ready to pass along, as able, comfort to someone else who needs God's care.

'Honor God with your bodies'

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

-1 Corinthians 6:19-20

A recent story about salt research can be an example of honoring your body - through controlling salt intake.

Reuters Health reported that a study says U.S.- wide salt reduction could prevent deaths. A snippet:

The Institute of Medicine recommends most healthy people get 1,500 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day, with an upper limit of 2,300 mg. But the average American eats more like 3,600 mg each day, largely through processed food.

"Reducing sodium intake is important for everyone, not just a small subset of people who are salt sensitive," said Pamela Coxson, the study's lead author from the University of California, San Francisco.

Although the health effects of a salt cutback may be small for the average person, she said, the results show they add up when projected across millions of Americans.

A low-sodium diet can help with high blood pressure, the most common cause of strokes.

'The Father of compassion'

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 

-2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Pretty much everyone likes a comfortable chair. A comfortable bed. Comfortable shoes.

Yet, there is so discomfort in this world. You know your own troubles. We know the troubles of those we love. And often, we try to offer comfort for those we love. God knows the troubles of those he loves - all of us - and he, too, offers comfort. And through God, you can help comfort others.

Paul reminded his fellow believers in Corinth. Remind yourself today - God is here to provide compassion and comfort. To you and through you.

'The old has gone, the new is here!'

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

-2 Corinthians 5:17

As the Christmas season is ending, the gift of God's new creation remains. We can constantly celebrate God's gift that reminds us that "The old is gone, new new is here!"

Enjoy being part of God's new creation.

'Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit'

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

-1 Corinthians 6:19-20

A couple of thoughts on the idea of your body as a temple - in stroke prevention and for fellow stroke survivors.

Paul was specifically writing here about sexual immorality, but the concept of your body as a temple for God is something you can carry in every aspect. Here's a couple:

Stroke prevention - If your body is a temple, maintain it well. One recent posting about stroke prevention listed the top risk factors:

• History of high blood pressure
• Current smoking
• Abdominal obesity
• Diabetes
• Lack of physical activity
• Poor diet
• More than 30 drinks per month or binge drinking
• Ratio of blood fats known as apolipoprotein B (apo B) to apolipoprotein AI (apo AI)
• Heart disease
• Psychosocial stress/depression

So many of these are at least partially in our control. Watch the numbers. Listen to your doctor. Be as active as you can be. Watch what you eat. You don't have to be unreasonable - just maintain that temple.

And for stroke survivors - My imperfect, flawed, damaged body is a temple. God loves me so much, despite my flaws, that he considers my body as a temple. Your body is a temple because of God's love for you.

Never forget that.

(Image from the Iowa Department of Public Health)

Out with the old - in with the new

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

-2 Corinthians 5:17

As Stroke Awareness Month approaches, remember stroke survivors, caregivers, friends and loved ones. Prayer for them. Many are struggling with recovery - stroke is the major cause of permanent disability in the United States.

Even still, hope is not lost. Paul gave these powerful words to the Corinthians - accept Christ, and you are a new creation. Be with Christ, and what matters the most - not the fading exterior that everyone bears - the old has gone, and new has come.

And beyond, despite earthly suffering that every human being experiences, Paul reminds us of the promise before us. Be in Christ, and your spirit is renewed. Be in Christ, and you will find the ultimate hope, with renewal. All of us in Christ will be new creations. Our old forms - with all our imperfections - will be gone. The new will come again.

'God of all comfort' - pass it on

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

-2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Who doesn't need comforting words? And who among us do not confront troubles, even daily?

Paul reminded the Corinthians about the comforts that God can provide. But that comfort is not only a balm, but a joy to share. Stroke awareness means not only being conscious of the signs and symptoms, but awareness of the needs that follow.

So take comfort in Paul's words. Receive God's comfort - then pass it along to those in need.

(Image from Heartlight)

'A crown that will last forever'

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

-1 Corinthians 9:25

Not that I did "strict" training, but recently finished third in my age division in the Sedalia (Mo.) Half-Marathon. The award sits on a shelf in the same room I'm typing up this blog entry. I don't run to get awards, but it's pleasing to win one from time to time.

The verse from 1 Corinthians is a good lesson from Paul. Awards - like this one - received on earth will eventually turn to dust. God's awards are eternal.

Stroke survivors often struggle to do all they can. Sometimes, earthly prizes are appreciated. But remember that the true award awaits, promised and ready.

Despite flaws, your body is a temple

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

From 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, this should be a welcome message for anyone - after all, no one is without flaws - but especially for stroke survivors. Many of them have some physical difficulties. After all, strokes cause more serious long-term disabilities than any other disease.

A 90-year-old fellow churchgoer, mentioned in a previous posting, walks with a cane, sometimes unsteadily, in the aftermath of a stroke a few years ago. But despite what's happened, God still considers your body as a temple.

It's beyond flaw, beyond flesh. My friend knows this - and so should you.

As I consider entering a marathon scheduled in November, this is a message to consider. By the same token, this is a message for anyone and everyone while considering any physical challenge, despite the level. For as your body is a temple, undertaking a challenge can be an act of worship.

Here's a video of a 2008 Olympic marathoner Ryan Hall, who, according to Runner's World magazine, believes he was chosen by God to run for God.