For over five decades, Johnny Erickson Tata has been an example of Christian perseverance and joy in the midst of deep suffering.

From the publication of her best-selling book Johnny in 1976 to her decades of work serving the disability community through her ministry Johnny and friends. Johnny has embraced

a life of love, of service, and of worship, with her eyes fixed on eternity. In our interview

today, I'm talking with Johnny about her initial reaction to learning at the young age of 17 that

she would never walk again, how she had wrestled with the truth of God's sovereignty

over her life through the years, and how she hangs on to the hope of heaven each and every day.

Johnny's new book is Songs of Suffering, 25 hymns and devotions for weary souls, published by

Crossway. Let's get started. Johnny, thank you so much

for joining me today on the Crossway podcast. Matt, good to be with you and of course, all of the

followers of the Crossway podcast. My honor. It is our honor as well to talk with you.

It is truly a privilege, Johnny, for a good chunk of my life.

And I'm sure the lives of many of my listeners right now, your life has stood as one of the

most powerful examples of faithful endurance and joy in the midst of suffering.

And today is kind of a special day, a unique day.

Just two days ago on July 30th was the 55th anniversary of something that happened to you

when you were just 17 years old, something that would change the rest of your life.

And I know many of our listeners, they know this story, they've heard this before, but I wonder

if you could just share a little bit about what happened that day for those who aren't as

familiar with you.

Well, Matt, I cannot believe I've crested 55 years in this wheelchair.

When I broke my neck and doctors told me I'd never walk again,

I have use of my hands. I was breathless. I was numb. I was bewildered, unbelieving. It was

...