Some of us grew up with actor Michael J. Fox. We watched him play Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties. We cheered as he traveled through time as Marty McFly in the Back to the Future movies. Later, we enjoyed his wit on Spin City, where he played Mike Flaherty, the Deputy Mayor of New York, alongside a hilarious cast of characters. We believed Michael J. Fox had lived a charmed life until in 1991, at age 30, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's is a progressive disease of the nervous system marked by tremors, muscular rigidity, and slow, imprecise movements, chiefly affecting middle-aged and elderly people. Fox announced his diagnosis to the public in 1998 at age 37. We've watched him progress with grace through its stages.
In the Bible, the word for this disease is palsy—paralysis accompanied by involuntary tremors. Jesus healed a man with this condition in Mark 2, when four friends cut through the roof to bring their companion to Him. Verse 5 says, "When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic (man with palsy), “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” This statement indicated that Jesus had both the power to forgive sins and to heal the man of his condition. Disease is one of the marks of sin being in the earth. Jesus claiming He could absolve and pardon sins for the Jewish leaders was a scandal and blasphemy. Who did He think he was, God?! He told the paralytic in verse 11 “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 12Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” God does miraculous things to demonstrate His power and to turn our attention toward Him. Jesus is all about redeeming hopeless circumstances. He doesn't share His glory. He works when we can't do anything about our situation. The faith of this man's friends to bring Him to Jesus, and his own faith to obey the command of God to arise and walk despite all evidence to the contrary—showed his belief, trust, expectation, and optimism.
OPTIMISM is hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something. In philosophy, it is the belief that good must ultimately prevail over evil in the universe. So many trying things are happening all around us right now. It can be difficult to be positive and optimistic with such negative forces in the atmosphere. To feel trapped and unable to move, whether physically like this man, or emotionally, vocationally, spiritually, or in relationships brings all kinds of anguish. When Jesus performed the miracle, it evoked worship and praise from the man and all the witnesses.
It is awe inspiring to see individuals who are facing particular hardships like Michael J. Fox persevere and overcome. Some are given grace to endure trials that would cause most of us to succumb to anxiety, hopelessness, and depression. Adversities turn into stepping stones as these individuals lift themselves into positive attitudes and triumphant dispositions. In one video clip, Michael J, Fox said, "I realized that with gratitude...optimism is sustainable. If you can find something to be grateful for, you can find something to look forward to...and you carry on." I love that! Optimism is not just fleeting in a particular moment...it's sustainable: able to be upheld, maintained and defended. Some of us struggle to ward off negativity and pessimism. Do you have sustainable optimism?
One Scripture that reflects optimism is Psalm 27:13-14, here king David writes, 13I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. 14Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! | 
No comments:
Post a Comment