Dying Christian's Faith Quotes: 'God Brings Beauty From Ashes, It's All about Him'

Jan 08, 2016 05:12 PM EST

What would be your final words to this world? Sara "Gitz" Frankl, the blogger behind Gitzen Girl was made homebound by a rare, terminal autoimmune disease that caused her chronic, horrific pain. After years of various health struggles and before she died at age 38, she recorded many concepts about faith that still inspire others. Her testimony lives on through The Sara Gitz Frankl Memorial Foundation and a book by her friend Mary Carver called "Choose Joy." 

(Photo : Choose Joy Foundation)

"The reason I am happy is that I choose to look at my blessings more than my burdens," is one of the many insights associated with Frankl, who suffered from ankylosing spondylitis, leukopenia and Cushing's syndrome.

She hoped to be remembered as a "living prayer." The Choose Joy Foundation was established in her honor, with the memory of her life emphasizing a prime example of God's love, grace, joy and care. The foundation's goal is to support Christian ministries and organizations, foster development of Christian-based education and provide support to Christian charities and churches.

Frankl also yearned for more people to continue to learn, believe and trust in God. Even through the isolation brought on by her debilitating illnesses, she clung to her faith.

"When people say they can't see the good coming from the pain, my answer is that it's not our job to know. It's God's. It's just our job to trust, whether we see it or not, that He brings beauty from the ashes," she proclaimed.

Darlene Frankl said her niece, Sara, has touched many lives with the light and love of Jesus. "What a witness and testimony her life was and still is! We are grateful for her obedience to Christ, the cost was never an option for Sara!"

(Photo : Choose Joy Foundation)
God-loving Sara Frankl's life is one of victory and joy. She remains an inspiration to many other Christians.

Following are 10 of Frankl's final quotes often used to comfort and anchor others.

  1. I had to lose my job, my health, my abilities and my hobbies - all the things that made me "who I was" - to see who I am.
  2. I am blessed because I take nothing for granted. I love what I have instead of yearning for what I lack. I choose to be happy, and I am. It really is that simple.
  3. I believe in a God who is so much bigger than I can imagine Him to be that anything is possible. I'm not wasting a moment of what is by waiting for what could be.
  4. I appreciate my life because it's the one He has given to me, and I don't want to waste a moment of it wishing for anything else.
  5. He knows my past, present, and future. He is surprised by nothing. He is with me, never leaves me even when I feel alone, and holds me up even when I think I am standing on my own two feet. He is good. All the time.
  6. This life is not about me and my goals and my wants and my worries. Nothing about my life is about me; it's about who He needs me to be.
  7. I really think we find what we are meant to do when we stop focusing on what we are kept from doing.
  8. I've come to understand that the only thing I can control is whether or not I open my heart. Open it to embrace my circumstances. Open it to be who He needs me to be in the here and now rather than assume happiness can come from the "If only..." and "When I get..." Open it enough to let Him in to change me here so I can be with Him there.
  9. This disease has taken things from me, but it can't take away the spirit that God put inside of me, the core of who I am as long as I choose to nurture that side of myself.
  10. If this is my life, if this is where I am, then this is where God is, too.