“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.” (Psalm 130:5)

I am impatient. It takes everything in me to wait on the Lord. I started off the new year eager to get back to the basics in life: time with God, time with my family, time to write. I overhauled my home office, I painted it, and purchased a cute used chair. I created a place where I could have a relaxed and inviting quiet time with the Lord. . . and then I expected a new level of instant intimacy.

This weekend I became frustrated with my “new hand.” I had my four finger joints replaced November 4 with fancy new silicone joints, and have been out of my splint for only two weeks. But I could not assemble anything . I couldn’t put a picture in a frame or use a screwdriver.

My husband said “Don’t worry about it. I will do it.” But I tossed the object aside in exasperation and whined “But I want to do it!”

Perhaps someday I will be able to do the things I desire. Perhaps not. I have yet to see what my new fingers will be able to do in the long term. The fact is, although I gained straight fingers and a grasp again, I’ve lost a lot of function in how they bend from the hands. I have a new splint to hold down one of the fingers where the joint is permanently crooked. The therapist says this splint is a “lifer.” I have enough “lifers” and don’t want this one.

Times like this we must surrender over our plans to God and allow Him to take over things. It is easy to believe that if God would just cooperate with our prearranged schedule of events and circumstances, life would be simple. Our motives are good, right?

In Exodus 32, Aaron gets caught up in the rationale of the Israelites who have escaped enslavement and now believe Moses is taking too long on the mountain talking to God. They want an idol to worship and they want it now! God is not sympathetic with their lack of patience.

Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Many plans are in our hearts. We may have great motives, faithful hearts, and enduring ministries, but despite our plans, the Lord’s purpose always prevails. The sooner we can turn over our heart’s plans and ask God to mold them and development into His purpose, the easier our days will become. Thank goodness the Lord can still use us as we are a work in progress.

About the Author:
Lisa Copen and is the founder of Rest Ministries and has lived with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia since 1993. She resides in San Diego with her husband and seven-year-old son.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1 NIV)

In this passage from John’s gospel, Jesus is giving His disciples some last minute instructions, before He knows He will be leaving them. One of the things he seeks to reassure them is that they shouldn’t worry, or be troubled.

Jesus goes on to tell them about the place He is preparing for them and also that they know The Way there, because they know Him and His Father.

Jesus’ disciples didn’t really understand these words at the time, but as events unfolded with his death, resurrection, and ascension, they would have become clearer to them.

We have those same assurances – yet I know for me, I still find myself troubled. The day to day issues that cause concern to those of us with chronic illness, cause us to worry about the future, our finances, side-effects of medication, deteriorating health and many other things as well. Then there are the things in the world, both close to home, and further afield.

Yet God wants us not to be troubled about these things, but to trust in Him. How do we do that day to day?

It’s not always easy, but God can always be trusted. We need sometimes to go forward, taking that step of trust, even in our uncertainty. Holding on to the promises that God gives, and knowing that He will be with us, we can take those steps – and as we do, I believe that we grow in confidence and in relationship with the God who can be trusted.

Prayer: Father, please help us to put our trust in You, giving you our worries and cares, knowing that You have our lives in Your hands. Amen

About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful for the difference God makes in her life as she lives with chronic pain. She enjoys finding time for writing,reading, travel and photography.

“Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins to each Israelite man and woman.” I Chron. 16:3

In Sunday School the children sing a song with a wonderful message for we who live with chronic illnesses. One line in the song says, “If I can’t be a grape, I’ll be a raisin, but I’ll be the best little raisin I can be.”

When I think of how my body has gone from being a healthy, usable grape to a dried up raisin, my first thoughts were not so pleased or tolerant of this fact. I used to be able to do so many things, just as a grape can become juice, jelly, wine, or other beneficial things. That’s how I used to feel when I could teach Sunday School, sing solos, sing in the choir, go to women’s retreats, etc.

But, the day came when this was all taken away from me, and I didn’t deal with it so well. I still have days when I want to do what I used to do as a “grape.”

But, time and circumstances with chronic illness has shown me that I am now a “raisin,” so I prayed about how I could become the ‘best little raisin I could be” for my Lord and others. God showed me in His word just how important raisins were to the people. Then he began showing me how important my life still is to Him and others, and He has shown me so many ways he can and does still use me in this new “style of body” I am living in.

God does still have a plan for my life (and yours) that is just as important and usable as it was when we were strong and healthy. Each day He gives me something I can do for Him, if I will just be still long enough to listen to what He is saying. It might be send a card or make a phone call to another in need. Or it might just be to sit and pray for others. Even as a “raisin” I can do these things, and I feel so blessed that I can. They are so important!

Thank you Lord for having a plan for my life from birth to death, and in this plan you incorporate ways to use me in each and every stage of my life. Help me to be a willing “raisin” at this point of my life. Amen

About the Author:
Alice Ervin is a blessed child of God, wife, mother and grandmother. She lives daily with several chronic illnesses, including Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, and degenerative arthritis. But, with the Lord Jesus always by her side, she knows she can endure to the end.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Cor. 1:3-4 NIV)

My friend Crystal died in November 2009. We had a sixteen year long friendship of mutual support and encouragement. Crystal had the same afflictions as I have, and several more besides. No matter what I was struggling through, Crystal always had to endure more. She encouraged me with her fortitude, and I always felt that if she could endure her terrible afflictions, I could certainly endure my lesser afflictions.

People can encourage us in numerous ways. There are always those who suffer more than we do, and who endure more trials and tribulations than we do. This does not lessen the fact that we are suffering, nor does it make our afflictions less challenging. But it does help us to put them in perspective.

It also helps to consider what Jesus endured for us. He suffered terribly, enduring a terrible death. Jesus understands what it is to “suffer in the flesh” and His suffering can also help us to put our trials and afflictions into perspective.

It may be that the suffering we do on this earth better prepares us for heaven. The things we suffer here may make heaven all the more wonderful when we get there. I look forward to the day when I see Crystal again in heaven, but for now I will remember her as a Christian warrior who kept up the good fight until the end. My hope is that we can all fight so bravely through our afflictions, finishing the race with heads held high, and eager to meet our Lord in a place free of suffering.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to be strong in Your strength as we face trials and afflictions of many kinds. Help us to stand strong and encourage one another as we are encouraged by You. Amen.

About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. With God’s help he has survived many years with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Crohn’s Disease. He is author of the book: Chronic Illness

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• God Never Forgets Our Suffering (chronicillnesspaindevotionals.wordpress.com)

“So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.” (Jeremiah 18:3-4)

In this Bible chapter, Jeremiah learns that the Lord will reshape the people of Israel if they are willing to repent of their evil ways. Those of us committed to the Lord also know our times of needing to repent. This allows him to continue to transform us into his image. I need reworking by my Maker for many reasons. Just how should I view this process?

The following imagery offers me my clues: The potter’s house . . . working at the (his) wheel . . . he was shaping . . . as it seemed best to him. These expressions refer to the potter (God) being the one in control. He is giving personal attention to me. As he has designed the blueprint of “me”, he does not want me misshapen and unable to become all he desires me to be.

I grew up with dreams and plans, just as you did. Some became fulfilled, others have not. We have all had starts and stops, detours and surprises along our way. For those of us living in consistent pain or illness it is easy to feel “broken”. In a world that clamors for external and visible achievements, some of these are often beyond our capabilities.

Yet, I am never out of the Potter’s hands. If I have made a commitment to him, I’ve placed myself there. As broken as I often feel, his plans remain intact and his fingers will continue to mold, refine and restore me “as seems best to him.”

How pliable am I? Do I allow the Lord access to all areas of my life? It takes my daily surrendering to what I want and my trusting that he is working out what he wants. It means becoming clay in my Potter’s hands.

Prayer: Lord, I want your gentle fingerprints all over my life, gentle because I have been willing to let you work your will for me in your time and in your way. Amen

About the Author: Lynn Severance is a retired elementary classroom teacher. She lives in Lynnwood, Washington. She writes to encourage others as God has encouraged her during 26 years of living with daily physical challenges.

About the Author:
Lynn Severance is a retired elementary classroom teacher. She lives in Lynnwood, Washington. She writes to encourage others as God has encouraged her during 26 years of living with daily physical challenges.

Image by ashley rose, via Flickr

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me. . . For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29,30)

Oh, those days when it seems all I do is go round and round in circles, and nothing gets accomplished.

The worst part is, having chronic pain and fatigue, I didn’t feel like doing anything in the first place. But, so much needs to be done, and I am the only one at home to do it.

Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you. . .” So I say, “Okay! I’ll take Your yoke upon me, for you say “It’s easy and light.” (Notice, I said “I”) But, there I go–round and round in circles. Nothing is getting done, and I get frustrated now, along with the pain and fatigue.

I give up, go lay down and cry. Then I seem to hear that still, small voice saying, “Don’t you see? You are missing the point. When I said ‘take My yoke upon you,’ I didn’t mean for you to carry the yoke by yourself. There is a place on that yoke for two heads. One for you, and one for Me!

If you try to use the yoke with only one head in it, of course you are going to go round and round in circles. But, allow Me to put My head in the other opening, then see what the two of us can accomplish, in spite of your physical limitations.”

Just a simple story, with so much meaning. I too often, try to do everything in my own strength. We who live with daily chronic illnesses know just how limited that strength is on most days.

We need to start each day by asking our Lord to help us carry His yoke. It’s so much easier when He is pulling the load with us. And, we go in a straight line, thus getting more accomplished. Sometimes just one thing is all He requires of us in one day.

The really neat part is, He knows just when we have had enough, and He allows us to stop and rest. Some days He won’t even expect us to “put on the yoke.” He knows just how much we can bear. . . and when.

Thank you, Lord for making a way for even those of us with chronic illness to be useful in our daily lives.

About the Author:
Alice Ervin of Dayton, OH. knows just how much it means to have a Savior, Helper and Friend Who is always willing and available to help us “pull” the heavy loads some of us are asked to pull.

“You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.” (Psalm 139:5)

Have you ever felt alone? Completely alone? Abandoned? Lost? Forlorn? Those isolating feelings that come from facing your challenges? Feeling no one understands? Feeling left behind as family and friends can go and do things you cannot?

As my family goes about their daily activities, I feel alone. A life once filled with activity and people is left behind me. Slowly, bit by bit, I lose more and more of my abilities to do things. I feel selfish asking my family to stay home with me. I miss. . . well – I miss companionship – someone who understands. Someone to just “be” with.

Then I read a verse like this one. God has me enclosed. He is in front of me. He is behind me. He has His hand on me. I may feel as if I am alone and lost, but God tells me that He is always with me – and not only with me – but surrounding me, enclosing me, holding me. I cannot get away from Him, even if I try.

.I close my eyes and imagine myself in a large golden circle, surrounded by God. It is in Him I live and move and exist. There is nowhere I can go that He is not present. Everywhere I look is that golden circle of light. It has no boundaries.

Suddenly everything changes. I go from feeling so alone to feeling comforted. From feeling abandoned to knowing I am not alone.

How much we depend on our feelings – and how untrue they can so often be. We need truth. God’s truth.

Alone? Once we are His, we are never, ever alone. And God will give you His Word on that. In fact – He already has.

God, Thank you for the provisions you have made for us. That you that you care so very, very much for us, that even when our feelings and circumstances may indicate we are alone, in truth – in Your truth – we are NEVER alone. Amen and Amen. So be it, Lord.

About the Author:
Deni Weber lives in Valparaiso, Indiana and is challenged by Porphyria, Ankylosing Spondylistis, Celiac Sprue, and other chronic conditions. Deni sees God leading her on a “parade of daily adventures” towards knowing His love, mercy, and grace. Deni can be contacted at EncouragingWords@me.com. You can visit her website at http://www.pathwaysforchange.com/Encouragement .

“You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light” (Psalm 18:28).

As much as I appreciate modern electricity, there is something very comforting and peaceful about old-fashioned oil lamps. I have a small one I purchased from a yard sale, and I enjoy simply looking at it. It does require some effort to keep it burning, however. Without maintaining a full supply of oil in the base the wick will not burn. Although shaped differently, Biblical lamps burned in the same way.

Just as these lamps need oil to continue burning, so I need the edifying and encouraging oil of God’s Word to keep my light burning. When I neglect to fill my life with His presence, through the reading of His Word and prayer, I eventually burn out. On those days, I grope about in the darkness of anxiety, fear, and despondency. I need to maintain that oil supply to see my way through life, particularly on painful or difficult days.

In Biblical times, these oil lamps were the only source of artificial light and often continued burning throughout the night. A darkened house was a sign of abandonment. If I do not keep my life filled with the truths of God’s Word at all times, I will feel abandoned and alone in my struggles. The oil supply is not lacking, but I have neglected to replenish it.

I have paraphrased the Eerdmans Commentary on this verse, because I thought the main concept was expressed so well:

“The key to David’s life was the Lord my God. The indwelling light and power of God’s presence maintained the burning glow of his daily life, as well as giving the power and motivation to overcome difficulties”. The indwelling presence of our wonderful God truly is the continual light source we need for our everyday lives as well as for our intense times of trial. There will always be more than enough oil for our lamps, if we continue to fill them.

Prayer: O Lord, thank you for the sustaining oil of Your Word and Your presence, which illuminates my life. Keep me faithful and consistent to remain filled with You. Amen.

About the Author:
Bronlynn Spindler is a wife and mother of three grown daughters and lives in Fredericksburg, VA. God’s grace and strength give her the ability to deal with chronic back pain, depression, headaches, and fibromyalgia. You may view her blog of devotionals at www.aplaceofsprings57.blogspot.com and contact her at spindler@cox.net.

“Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, O Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.”(Jeremiah 14:22)

Many parts of Australia are experiencing a terrible drought. It has been many years now since some areas have received even average rainfall and so our land is suffering, nowhere more-so than for farmers on the land.

We are asked again and again, to pray for rain. In many areas if rain doesn’t fall, crops cannot be sown for the next season and this follows ruined crops for previous seasons too. Living in the city, as I always have, it’s hard to imagine what it must be like for people dependant on what their land can produce, in order to care for their families and to make a living. We see the affects of drought on our gardens, but it doesn’t threaten our livelihood, only the beauty of our surrounds.

At many times throughout the bible, we read of times when God withheld rain from his people, and also of times when he sent flooding rains. Why should our day be any different? It is still God who is in control of the rain. He sends, or withholds the rain as He choses. In some areas, it pours, while at other places, not a drop of rain falls.

I love water—to watch a rough sea along a rugged coastline, waves crashing in along a sandy beach, fast-flowing rivers, or narrow streams that meander through the forest, tall powerful waterfalls, or smaller trickling ones, and even clear, calm lakes. I even love the rain. I prefer to be inside watching it, but I still love the rain.

The water reminds me of the creativity of our God and the power, or peace that His creation can bring to us.

Like so much else in our lives, we need to trust when the rain will fall, to our God, who knows more than we do, what we need.

About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is grateful that God is in control of her life, as she lives with chronic pain. She loves to travel when she can, to write, to read and her photography.

“We who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.” (Hebrews 6:18-20)

Hope that is an “anchor for the soul.” I need this anchor more than ever before. Don’t you? The news of the world is scary; recession, incomes that are shrinking, and for many of us, our health and the rising cost of health care is a major worry and stress.

But think about this verse. “We have a hope offered to us and may be greatly encouraged.”

I need encouraging, and I have written out these verses and taped them near my windowsill by the sink. I can read them when I do dishes, cook, watch the deer in the yard, or even the sunrise.

“We who have fled to take hold of this hope may be greatly encouraged.” This is past tense! We can claim this hope and be encouraged NOW!

Listen dear friends, and be encouraged. When the cost for our doctor visits, and medications keep rising, and we face hard decisions about our healthcare; when the pain is great and our fatigue is overwhelming, we have this hope. This is for right now, as an anchor for our souls. This is an anchor that is firm and secure.

This anchor is bigger than Congress, bigger than the recession, and bigger than the drug companies. This is an anchor that enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered in our behalf (verse 19).

Jesus went before us. This has already happened. We have reason for encouragement and hope.

Romans 5:5 “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”

About the Author:
Sandra Platt is a Minister’s wife and mother of two College aged kids. She lives in a beautiful rural area of Indiana. She has had Fibromyalgia for 18+ years and now has Neuropathy and MS. She cherishes the friendships she has made through Rest Ministries. You may contact her through the Sunroom.