Perfect Hope in Weakness

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV).

Some days in the 3ABN Pastoral Department are a whirlwind—one call blending into the next—but I embrace the busyness with a grateful heart. I love what I do. Each interaction holds its own rhythm, often brightened by moments of divine inspiration. Today was one of those days where the air seemed filled with expectancy—the kind that whispers, “Jesus is so good!” As the hours passed, my heart brimmed with gratitude for the privilege of serving Him.

Late in the afternoon, a call came from Ava.* Her voice was hesitant, punctuated by faltering pauses that carried a weight of unspoken emotion. “Uh, well, uh,” she began, searching for words. The sound of her muffled tears tugged at my heart. Gently, I asked her name and what was on her mind. After a long pause, she began to share.

“I am paralyzed, mostly bedridden, and I can’t take care of myself,” she said, her voice trembling. As she recounted her story, my heart ached for her. She described a medical nightmare: a spinal injection gone horribly wrong. “I had severe back pain from years of improper lifting and was referred to a neurologist. The first two injections helped, but the third …” Her voice cracked. “I remember yelling, ‘Stop! I can’t feel my legs!’

“My lungs started failing me, and I couldn’t breathe,” she continued. “And I was praying, Help me, Lord! as they wheeled me into another room and assured me everything would be okay.

“All I could think of was that I needed to pick up my daughter from school. I wanted to go home! Something was not right. My son came to get me, carried me to his pickup, and took me home where he placed me on the couch. I prayed. My family prayed. But the pain kept worsening through the night. By morning, I was screaming out in excruciating pain, paralyzed from the waist down. My family rushed me to the hospital, where the doctors recommended six weeks of rehab as a solution. But six weeks came and went with no improvement!

“The nightmare was in accepting I was a partial paraplegic. I love the outdoors, and was always so active. I loved riding and taking care of our horses. I loved hiking, and just everything that had to do with the outdoors.”

Ten years later, Ava remains partially paralyzed, confined to a wheelchair, yet fiercely clinging to her faith. Her resilience astounds me. Though her options are limited, her spirit is boundless.

“I’m limited in what I can do, but God is still so good!” she says. “I’m so blessed to have a supportive family. Sabbaths are my joy, because my family and church members come to fellowship with me. We share a meal, study the Bible, and sing praises to God. I love God’s promises—they are my daily source of hope and I journal them. One of my favorites is Philippians 4:13, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’

“I still find comfort in God’s Creation. My caregiver and my loyal German shepherd, Diego, accompany me on my scooter to feed my horse and my goat—and oh, how they love their carrots and apples! It’s a blessing. These moments in nature are a sacred reminder of God’s wonders.

“I miss my legs,” she admits, “but I love Jesus, and I will never give up. I still have hope. 3ABN is another lifeline of hope to me. I find spiritual nourishment and encouragement through your programs, and I feel like I’m part of the 3ABN family. I often pray for the hosts and speakers who bring God’s Word into my home.”

As she paused, I reassured her. “Ava, your love for Jesus is evidenced in your every comment. I’m so glad you know that God sees you. He knows what you’re enduring. He hears your prayers. He cares for you and acts on your behalf. Talking with you is so inspiring, because your story reminds me that faith is not just a lifeline—it’s a testimony of God’s steadfast love and grace.”

Ava had called 3ABN many times in the past to ask us to pray for other individuals, but had never shared her own testimony. On this particular day, she called because she was having a low moment and felt she was losing hope. By the time she finished sharing and talking about God’s goodness, she was brimming with hope. Her journey is a radiant example of what it means to cling to Jesus no matter the circumstance. When we keep our eyes on the God of hope, He causes us to bubble over with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God proved a profound truth to me that day. Even in our darkest moments, Jesus’ words ring clearly, “… ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness’ …” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

*Pseudonym