Some years ago I used to ride my bicycle to work on a regular basis (I wish I still did!)  The following "pedal parables" came to me while on the road to work.
 

1. On Perseverance

One day I rode my bicycle in to work against a strong headwind. The invisible force slowed me to less than half my usual speed.  Inwardly I writhed in frustration, for I was working in  a high-tech, high-pressure company where every second counted.  I could feel the minutes ticking away as I mashed to pedals to little avail.  To encourage myself to keep going, and repeated to myself again and again, "I'm going to make it, I'm going to make it" through gritted teeth.  Gradually my mind was pried from the discouraging circumstances and began to wander, free and detached.  My confidence and exhilaration intensified steadily as I neared my destination, and I bounded into the office full of creative inspirations. My extra-long ride to the office had given me a running start on my work, and the momentum carried me through the rest of the day.

That was not the last time I had to face a strong headwind.  However, on subsequent occasions  I was able to deal with the same circumstances with far less anxiety.
 

2. On the enjoyment  of adversity

Another time on my way to work, I noticed that my back tire was soft.  It had been fine when I left home, so I knew it was leaking.  On top of this I faced a headwind, so I was doubly slowed.

I kept going, hoping the air would hold out.  I considered calling someone at work to come pick me up.  Since there were plenty of offices beside the road, I decided to wait until I couldn't ride any more, and then call.

Eventually I reached a stretch of road with no more offices.  I knew that a couple of miles down the road was a gas station where I could get air, but before that there would be no opportunity to call.  I decided to risk it, and go on.

I didn't make it.  With about a mile left to go, my tire got too flat to ride on.  I had to walk.  I felt strangely exhilarated, my heart enlarged with joy.  I felt God was with me, speaking to me, touching my shoulder, instructing me.  The fields and trees, the clouds and sky were beautiful.  Sure I would be an hour late -- but so what?  Couldn't I enjoy this hour with God?  Wasn't this hour so much more special?

I made it to a gas station, and filled the tire.  While there I discovered that I didn't have the money to make a phone call, even if I'd wanted to.

I was only able to ride another half-mile or so.  Again, instead of cursing and fuming I had another blessed walk to the next gas station.  After that air stop,  I made it most of the way to work.  Later that day, I made up the lost work hour, with no resentment whatsoever.
 

3.  On Healing

The incident I have just described also says something about divine healing.  If I had prayed,  "Lord, fix my tire" -- the Lord's answer would have been,  "Just keep going."  If I had started riding my bike "in faith" while the tire was flat, I would have accomplished nothing except to ruin my rim.

Being "healed" or "whole" in a spiritual sense does not necessarily have anything to do with the condition of your physical body.  Being whole spiritually means being wholly reconciled and at peace with God, and rejoicing in the situation which God has placed you in.  Being whole means you see difficulties as challenges to be overcome with joy, because that is your purpose, your training in life.

These bodies we now occupy will never be fully "healed",  because they are intrinsically defective.  Our  bodies  are machines which God has temporarily given us to accomplish our work in this world.  God's principles of dealing with our bodies is the same as His principles in dealing with any other machine.

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