Nothing Can Separate Us

by Victoria Gaines
Published August 1, 2006

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our LORD." (Romans 8:38-39 NIV)

No matter what we face from day to day---chronic illness, debts and medical bills, a transmission that's slipping, friends that are too busy, cancer surgery, divorce, or mental depression, nothing can separate us from God's love.

Now hold that thought.

I forced myself to the gym yesterday. For sedentary souls, the treadmill spells torture. Actually, I was in fine shape until a couple years ago when a chronic health condition changed my life. Chronic anything eventually erodes your optimism and atrophies your muscles. But yesterday my attitude stunk. Should I be mad at my doctor for prescribing meds that cause ridiculous weight gain, or pity myself for the unrelentless pain and brain fog? I muttered some prayer to the Lord, asking for an attitude adjustment.

Well, a young woman, perhaps in her 30's, was pushing herself around the gym in a wheelchair. While I silently bemoaned my leg and hip pain on the treadmill, I watched this woman maneuver carefully from her wheelchair to the exercise machine. Slowly, she dragged her weak torso from the wheelchair seat and slid her bottom across the machine she needed to use. Then she stretched her legs gingerly, but with determination. After each set, I watched her mouth form the words 'praise the Lord,' then her head dropped in exhaustion. Whether she's recuperating from an accident or has a chronic condition, I don't know. But her attitude humbled me. She seemed grateful to be alive, even in such limited capacity. I prayed for her, then for myself, realizing how much the Lord means to me. Forgive me for whining, Lord. I finished 30 minutes on the treadmill with some pain, but a little more joy.

I later heard a woman's testimony on TV, of how she depended on Jesus to be her comfort after suffering burns all over her body. Her husband had drenched her with fuel, then set her on fire. Her face and body were severely scarred; she still had numerous surgeries to endure. Yet her spirit exuded peace. When asked what advice she'd give other women who have suffered similar crimes, she looked into the camera and said, "Just pray. Call out to Jesus and He'll be there for you." I broke down and wept.

And the Lord brought Romans 8:38-39 to mind. Nothing can separate me from His love. Not an empty bank account, loss of work, chronic pain, a chemical imbalance, my sleep disorder--not doctors, disease, insurance, or lack of it, biopsy reports, the government, the daily news, terrorists, war, or the betrayal of loved ones. Nothing can separate me from His love.

"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God be for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" ~ Romans 8:31-32

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~ Romans 8:38-39

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