Born to privilege. Educated among the elite. Elected to the upper echelons of power.
To a casual observer, one might imagine that life was easy for JFK, but any cursory student of history would discover that is not the case. Yes, he grew up in the home of a wealthy ambassador but the demands of his father were unrelenting.
Kennedy's older brother, Joseph, Jr., was being groomed for prominence but Joseph lost his life as an aviator in WW II. The younger Kennedy was the captain of a PT boat that was shot out of the water during that same war. Kennedy, an excellent swimmer, returned to the sinking boat again and again to rescue those men who were too injured to swim to safety.
To a casual observer, one might imagine that life was easy for JFK, but any cursory student of history would discover that is not the case. Yes, he grew up in the home of a wealthy ambassador but the demands of his father were unrelenting.
Kennedy's older brother, Joseph, Jr., was being groomed for prominence but Joseph lost his life as an aviator in WW II. The younger Kennedy was the captain of a PT boat that was shot out of the water during that same war. Kennedy, an excellent swimmer, returned to the sinking boat again and again to rescue those men who were too injured to swim to safety.
Because of injuries sustained during that rescue effort, John Kennedy
suffered excruciating back pain for the rest of his life. Although
concealed from the public, Kennedy's pain required several back
surgeries and the wearing of a brace.
His election as President of the United States brought him to the fore as none of his previous accomplishments had. He was the youngest man ever elected to that high office and was among the most patriotic. He had indeed put his life on the line for his country.
The pain he endured in life and the faith in CHRIST that sustained him qualified him speak to others who suffer. When he said, "Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger men," he knew whereof he spoke.
We can imagine that the verse that sustained him through his own pain might have been, "...My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." II Corinthians 12:9
His election as President of the United States brought him to the fore as none of his previous accomplishments had. He was the youngest man ever elected to that high office and was among the most patriotic. He had indeed put his life on the line for his country.
The pain he endured in life and the faith in CHRIST that sustained him qualified him speak to others who suffer. When he said, "Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger men," he knew whereof he spoke.
We can imagine that the verse that sustained him through his own pain might have been, "...My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." II Corinthians 12:9
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