Hang in There
26 Feb 2009 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: christy brewster, daily chronic pain illness devotionals, daily meditations, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, oregon, prayer for healing, rest ministries, trials and chronically ill
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:18)
Sometimes I get so caught up in the pain and need of my current physical condition that I totally take my spiritual eyes off the Lord. So rather than the comfort and strength I would draw from the Lord’s Word, I tend to wallow a bit . . . or as my dear mother-in-love would say, “have a `pity-party’”.
It just seems so unfair. Ohhhh did I really say that (gulp) outloud? Maybe what I need is a good old fashioned kick in the `spiritual’ pants, so to speak! Though I’m forgiven, I still currently live in a fallen world, with things such as pollution, war, sickness, crime . . . . My complaint is like that of a soldier at war who gets shot and complains . Didn’t he know it was a distinct possibility? Really only One person ever lived who was truly treated unfairly. And He reminds me that His grace is enough for me. (2 Cor.12:9)
Still I want to justify my feelings to God, like, wouldn’t I have a better testimony if I were healed? His answer to me is “what is that to you? You must follow me.”(John 21:22) Then He directs me back to the words in 2 Corinthians 4:10 “We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” and verse 16, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
He even gives me advice on how to handle the really tough times, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:18) That’s a spiritual `hang in there’, if I ever heard one! Temporary vs. eternal . . . how good of God to remind me. I think the “pity party” is over!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christy Brewster and her husband live on the Oregon coast. She lives with multiple sclerosis and diabetes. Her writing goal is found in Psalm 19:14, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” She loves to hear from readers and may be contacted at: www.restministriessunroom.ning.com/profile/ChristyBrewster
Feb 27, 2009 @ 11:08:29
I jut recently discovered your blog. I suffer from MS as well. Right now I am up because of extreme pain in my hands. I just wanted to say thank you for posting this, I think it helped me out.I think it even eased the pain a little. So thank you