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
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 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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