And you shall remember all the ways in which the Lord your God led you in the wilderness these forty years, in order to humble you, putting you to the test, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. Deuteronomy 8:2 NASB

The Israelites were discipled by God in the desert for 40 years. The Exodus was a time of blessing and hardship, teaching and preparing. God is still putting His people to the test today, searching our hearts to see whether we are walking in humble fellowship with Him and in steadfast righteousness and love toward others (Note 1).

Hardship tests our character. What matters isn’t the bad thing that happens, but how we react. The forms that hardship take are limitless. For this writing, we offer three extraordinary responses to the hardship of physical paralysis.

Charles Krauthammer (Note 2) was paralyzed from the neck down in a diving accident when he was a young man in medical school. The accident did not define Charles. At 68 years of age, near the end of this life, while ravaged by cancer, he reflected on his life: “I leave this life with no regrets. It was a wonderful life – full and complete with the great loves and great endeavors that make it worth living. I am sad to leave, but I leave with the knowledge that I lived the life that I intended.”

Joni Eareckson Tada’s life was also abruptly changed by a diving accident when she was 17 years old and was paralyzed from the shoulders down. Joni admits that in the first years she experienced anger, depression, suicidal thoughts and doubt about God. Her story didn’t end there. Through the test, Joni learned to paint, write and advocate for others with disabilities (Note 3). Joni is a fervent Believer in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and shares her incredible testimony in all forms of media and through her disability center. Now in her mid-70s, Joni has faced cancer and soldiers on with vigor.

Jason Kolb lived an active, demanding life as an emergency room doctor, father, faithful Christ follower, and skier. Until January 29th, 2023. The athletic 50-ish-year-old endured a catastrophic skiing accident (Note 4). From the moment Jason regained consciousness, he realized he’d be paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of his life. He assured everyone around him saying “I’ll never walk again, but God’s grace will be sufficient” (Note 5). Today he teaches in medical school, attends seminary, and shares his faith with others. Dr. Kolb says he wouldn’t change that day. One after another, his friends have said, “Jason showed us how to handle this. I’m good because Jason is good.” Jason says, “I am good, because God is good.”

Three incredible life stories in the shadow of great hardship. Each went from enjoying active physicality to humbling, life-changing trials. Two faithful Christians and one of Jewish origins. Each passed their tests with grace, going on to love life and impact millions of others. There is much to learn by observing what has been revealed about what was in their hearts.

Note 1: Walking in humble fellowship with God and in steadfast righteousness and love toward others encapsulates the Gospel. If we are in humble fellowship with God and walking in righteousness and love towards others, we will by default be in alignment with God’s plan for our lives (Micah 6:8).

Note 2: Krauthammer (1950 – 2018) lived fully. He graduated with his class from Harvard Medical School and practiced as a psychiatrist for many years. Eventually his passions for truth led to a career in political commentary. He was a prolific writer for the Washington Post, awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1987. Charles became one of the best, and most loved, commentators on Fox News.

Note 3: Joni’s life’s work is summed up in the purpose of her international ministry: Joni And Friends https://joniandfriends.org/ “We bring practical help and Gospel hope to people with disabilities around the world.

Note 4: Dr. Kolb’s journey is chronicled in his recent book “Down The Mountain: Skiing, Suffering, and Sufficient Grace”. Read this book.

Note 5: “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV