As my mother became older, she began to have
difficulty with balance because of Parkinson’s disease. Although she still could
stand upright, she could not walk because of the balance issues. The solution
to this problem was the use of a gait belt. This four inch wide belt goes
around the waist and is handled by an assistant from the back. The design of
the gait belt allowed me to walk either behind or beside my mother and easily make
corrections when her lack of balance caused her to become unstable. The design
of the belt also makes it easy to make these corrections, regardless of the
person’s weight.
My mother did not like to wear the gait belt.
Although her belt was a pretty rainbow design, she just did not want to put it
on. I have seen the same reluctance to wear the belt in others who have
difficulty maintaining their balance while walking. Pleas of family members and
explanations given by the medical staff concerning the necessity to where the
belt at all times are met with resistance. Reasoning often doesn’t seem to work.
I have observed four primary reasons for this
reluctance. The first is an unwillingness to admit that they gait belt is
necessary. The second reason is a fear of others seeing the belt and being aware
of limitations. The third reason is that the gait belt is a bit uncomfortable
to wear. The final reason is a resistance to relying on someone for assistance,
and the fear that they may lead us somewhere we do not want to go. For one or more these reasons, my mother and
others have risked falling and the potential for broken bones.
Like Parkinson’s or other neurological diseases,
there is a disease that can affect the soul. This disease is caused by
believing the lies of the enemy. The apostle Paul tells us to put on the full
armor of God to battle an unseen enemy.” For we do not wrestle against
flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the cosmic powers over this present darkness,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12 ESV) These spiritual forces plant thoughts that
are not true. The thoughts are planted craftily and appear to be our own. God
has given us a Belt of Truth to wear in our fight against this enemy. Wearing this belt of truth, knowing what the
word of God says about us, will keep us by being thrown off-balance by the lies
the enemy sends our way.
We often do not want to admit that we need anyone or anything. We
want to make it on our own. The truth is, we have a desperate need for God. He
is the giver of life and truth. We need
to seek the truth, and God will give it to us. “Send out your light
and your truth; let them
lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!” (Psalm 43:3 ESV)
The truth will lead and balance us. Being desperate for God, desire the
truth. “Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for
you I wait all the day long.” (Psalm
25:5 ESV)
Some
are embarrassed by their need for God. People will ridicule and tell us that
reliance on God is nothing more than a crutch. Actually it is so much more than
a crutch. God does not simply prop us up.
He carries us through the hard times. “fear not, for I am with you; be not
dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 ESV) Jesus, the Living Word,
instructs us to live a life directed by the Scripture. ”so Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my
word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31 – 32 ESV) Freedom sounds great to me.
Just
as wearing a gait belt may take some getting used to, believing the word of God
over our circumstances will feel strange for a while. We’re used to believing
what we feel and see. As we continue on
in this process, speaking God’s word will become more and more natural to us.
We will begin seeing the world from His perspective. This is learning to be in
the world and not of it.
Our
final concern may involve being led where we do not wish to go. Allowing truth
to be our guide can be a bit scary. Not everything God instructs us to do will
be easy. We may not wish to do some things, such as forgiving those who hurt
us. But when truth wins, we find the blessing of obedience greater than difficulty
of that obedience. We may be led not where we would have gone, but to somewhere
far better. We will also have the promise of a hope and a future. “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his
own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you
the things that are to come.” (John 16:13 ESV)
So let the Holy Spirit
lead you. When lies and hard times assault you, let the truth of God’s word be foremost
in your mind and heart. By this you will become mature in Christ. Your balanced
life will be a blessing not only to you, but to those around you. “Rather,
speaking the truth in
love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” (Ephesians
4:15ESV) Wearing your belt of truth, you will have the
balance to not only walk, but to run with God.
(Note: I have really struggled with some things over
the past several days. Knowing to believe
the Word over my feelings and doing it have not easily matched up. Please do not think that I have this down, or
that I believe this is always easy. I
must work on it daily.)
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