Fourteen-year-old Jonathan Pitre lives with a rare condition called epidermolysis bullosa, which is a disease of the skin. It’s not leprosy, but it seems even worse. This disease makes Jonathan’s skin so delicate that he literally has to be wrapped in gauze so his skin doesn’t peel right off.
Every movement, every breath, every bite and every drink comes with excruciating pain. Eating and drinking bring about blisters in his mouth and throat. Taking a bath is a horrific experience. Children who suffer from the disease Jonathan has are often called “butterfly children” because they are so fragile, like the wings of a butterfly. But according to Jonathan, while his skin may be delicate, his heart is strong.
Because of Jonathan’s determination and willingness to endure what most of us could not, his life has encouraged hundreds of thousands of people. In fact, his favorite hockey team, the Ottawa Senators, recently recognized Jonathan’s bravery and courage by naming him an “honorary scout” for a day. Jonathan got to hold a media press conference, field questions and give his advice for the team. His strength and ability to come back from such an enormous physical setback, day in and day out, brought the players to tears.
We serve a God of second chances.
Few of us can relate to the pain that Jonathan and others like him have to deal with every moment. Yet many of you know what it is like to lose hope. In these moments, you might feel like life’s a test and you’re failing it. Maybe you’ve failed so many times, it seems pointless to keep trying. While the struggle is real, let me remind you that we serve a God of second chances. He’s always willing to give you a retest.
Has God given you a retest in exactly the same situation where you’ve failed before? Then He may be preparing you for your comeback. When God tests us like this, He often doesn’t give specific instructions. Remember how in school, whenever you would take a test, the classroom would be quiet? Remember how the teacher was completely silent? This was not the time for the teacher to give you any information, because the test was designed to see what you knew based on what the teacher had already taught you.
The same is often true in the tests we experience in our spiritual lives. God often tests us without telling us exactly what to do. You may feel like God is distant when you need Him most, but He may be waiting to see what you will do with the faith you have in Him and the truth He has previously given you.
It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve taken it, you can pass the retest. God is in your corner, and He wants nothing more than to see you make a comeback.
This article is an excerpt from Your Comeback by Tony Evans and from Harvest House Publishing.
Why We Do What We Do
"My story starts seven years ago. I had a tragic fall that shattered my spine. After a 9-hour surgery, rods, screws and plates replaced what was formerly my spine. For at least two years of recovery, I begged my husband on an hourly basis to either kill me or leave me. I loved him so much, but this was no life for him. He needed a wife, not a broken shell of a person. However, his unrelenting patience and prayer started to give me strength. I turned off the TV and opened my Bible. I spent the next year giving it all to God. Jesus was my constant companion, and I started physical therapy. Although still in pain, I started to regain mobility.
During this time, I started listening to you on the radio. As a result, great blessings started happening in my life. I was able to return to full-time work. I was able to get off all pain medications, and my marriage was cemented. No man should have endured what I put him through during my recovery. He stuck it out, lifted me up and helped me find my way back to the Lord."
—Misty
