Spinning Plates
30 Apr 2009 7 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: daily chronic pain illness devotionals, invisible illness, rest ministries, sandra platt
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion.” Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)
I may be showing my age here, but some of us may remember variety shows on television like the old Ed Sullivan Show. Often on these show there was an act with someone trying to keep plates spinning on poles up in the air. If a plate stopped spinning it fell and shattered. So this person ran around like crazy keeping all of the plates spinning for as long as possible. Even at my young elementary school age, I often wondered why?
I imagine however that many of us try to “keep plates spinning” even now. Up until my chronic illness hit 18 years ago I was a busy, active, person proudly writing my “to do” lists. At the end of each day I was so pleased with all of the things I could check off—schooling, marriage, raising a family, being a busy Pastor’s wife, and all of the busy work that comes with life.
Even after my diagnosis I stayed busy. Always doing a little bit more than I should, given my health. I did not know how to let go and live within the limits of my diseases. Through the years I have had to relearn this lesson. As more health limitations surfaced, I had to learn again and again that I cannot do everything. Our self worth is so tied in with all we can do. We
consider what we do, to be who we are.
So we wear ourselves out “spinning plates.”
Repentance, rest, quietness, and trust That is the source of our salvation and our strength. How often do we exhaust ourselves when in verse 18 “The Lord longs to be gracious to us, and He rises to show us compassion.” I am relearning this lesson once again as I face using my wheelchair more often. Rest and quietness sounds so inviting. Dear friends, He longs to show compassion on you too.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sandra Platt is a Minister’s wife who lives in North West Kentucky. She has Fibromyalgia, Sjogren’s, and Neuropathy, among other conditions as well. She is owned and comforted by her two spoiled 14-year-old cats. She enjoys reading, cooking, and being outdoors. The prayer of her heart is 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.” You may visit Sandy at www.RestministriesSunroom.com
God’s Promise
29 Apr 2009 2 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Atrial Fibrillation, Celiac Sprue, daily chronic pain illness devotionals, daily meditations, deni weber, invisible illness, rest ministries
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians1:20 NIV)
Do you have a scripture verse that you lean on? One that you consider perhaps a “life verses”? I know at different times, I have depended on different verses to get me through. Currently this verse keeps popping up in different places:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
At other times in my life, other verses have upheld me as I clung to them, reciting them over and over to myself. I think having a chronic illness lends itself to dependency on God and His word.
The above verse says that “all” the promises are “yes” promises. I have only fairly recently in my Christian walk discovered just how many promises there are to choose from. Then, I realized I don’t have to “choose” from any – they are all mine for the claiming. I’d encourage you to sit down with your Bible and start to search out all these promises. I think You’d be hard pressed to find a chapter without at least one promise in it somewhere!
Just a sampling of His promises:
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. (Psalm 34:19 KJV)
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2, NKJV)
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. ( John 14:1 NIV)
I started seeing my “challenges” in this life through different eyes when I began to seek out God’s promises for me. My encouragement for you today is that you go to His word and begin to seek out His promises for you, today. How can we claim them, if we do not know they are there for us to claim? Be blessed!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Deni Weber believes that the only true way to deal with chronic pain and chronic illness is to bring them to the feet of her Lord and Savior. Her multiple illnesses (Celiac Sprue, Atrial Fibrillation, Ankylosing Spondylitis, to name a few) have taught her many things about herself and her Christian walk. It is her fondest prayer that some of her lessons might be helpful to others as they walk the path of chronic illness. Deni can be reached at
deni@pathwaysforchange.com
God’s Promises
29 Apr 2009 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: challenge, chronic illness, deni weber, encourage, God, hopekeepers, pain, promise, rest ministries
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. “ (2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV)
Do you have a scripture verse that you lean on? One that you consider perhaps a “life verses”? I know at different times, I have depended on different verses to get me through. Currently this verse keeps popping up in different places:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
At other times in my life, other verses have upheld me as I clung to them, reciting them over and over to myself. I think having a chronic illness lends itself to dependency on God and His word.
The above verse says that “all” the promises are “yes” promises. I have only fairly recently in my Christian walk discovered just how many promises there are to choose from. Then, I realized I don’t have to “choose” from any – they are all mine for the claiming. I’d encourage you to sit down with your Bible and start to search out all these promises. I think You’d be hard pressed to find a chapter without at least one promise in it somewhere!
Just a sampling of His promises:
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. (Psalm 34:19 KJV)
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2, NKJV)
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. ( John 14:1 NIV)
I started seeing my “challenges” in this life through different eyes when I began to seek out God’s promises for me. My encouragement for you today is that you go to His word and begin to seek out His promises for you, today. How can we claim them, if we do not know they are there for us to claim? Be blessed!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
deni weber believes that the only true way to deal with chronic pain and chronic illness is to bring them to the feet of her Lord and Savior. Her multiple illnesses (Celiac Sprue, Atrial Fibrillation, Ankylosing Spondylitis, to name a few) have taught her many things about herself and her Christian walk. It is her fondest prayer that some of her lessons might be helpful to others as they walk the path of chronic illness. deni can be reached at deni@pathwaysforchange.com
Our Strength and Shield
28 Apr 2009 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: daily chronic pain illness devotionals, daily meditations, hopekeepers, invisible illness, nancy dittert, rest ministries
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” (Psa. 28:7 NIV)
What precious joy and peace we have as God’s children.
Just knowing that He is always here for us day and night, never failing us, always available to hear our heartbreaks, failures and our joys.
His joy truly shields us from the pain and evils of the world. He gives us His Word to strengthen and enlighten us. While reading His Word we see bits of important information that opens our minds to God’s perfect will and hope in our lives.
Yes… hope for us when we suffer from the pain of our illnesses, or from a past heart break.
We have hope and joy in the Creator of us and of all good things. Hope and joy. What and awesome God we serve and love and how much He loves us and wants our lives to be filled with His strength, peace and joy.
May The LORD bless us, and keep us: The LORD make his face shine upon us, and be gracious unto us: The LORD lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pastor Nancy Dittert (Founder & Overseer of Fibro/Chronic Pain Support Ministry) lives in a berm home in Rural Central Iowa with her husband & soul mate Patrick, 4 cats and a Lab/ Sharpei dog. Nancy & Patrick are both pastors, retiring early because of illness. Nancy lives with Severe Fibromyalgia, Absence Seizures and Neuropathy, and her husband had a brain tumor that left him disabled. They are still actively involved as Christian freelance writers and work full time in Chronic Pain Ministry through the Internet and local Cable TV. Write Nancy at nancierose@msn.com and visit her Chronic Pain Web Site at… http://Fibromyalgiahelp.homestead.com/index.html
Persevering
26 Apr 2009 5 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: attitude, chronic illness, Dorothea Love, faith, God, hopekeepers, limitations, pain, rest ministries, strength, trust
“But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” (Luke 8:15 NIV)
Spring brings fond memories of our time in Tennessee, especially my father’s and uncle’s gardens. Our children were small enough to enjoy helping remove debris, watching my dad mow and my uncle till the soil, and learning to plant seeds.
The kids understood that the seeds needed time to grow into edible crops, but that didn’t stop them from checking the garden daily. Rain or shine, they made the trek to the garden – diligently waiting for evidence of their favorite vegetable.
When the crops came in, it was a game for the kids to harvest their favorites. I didn’t have to cajole them into eating their vegetables. The believed they had worked hard for the produce and wanted to enjoy it. Thinking about their daily anticipation, makes me reflect on my desire to keep my faith and trust in God stirred up.
When we look to God and refuse to give up, we find the strength to press forward. Regardless of our physical limitations, we have to remind ourselves that we can set goals, dream, and stretch ourselves. It may take use longer or require frequent rest breaks. We may have to get creative in order to get things done. However, if we persevere, we will be able to see the fruits of our labor.
We have to plan, breaking the larger task into manageable increments and taking things one day at a time. Of course, we have to be flexible, allowing time for the unexpected. We can’t beat ourselves up when we have setbacks or delays. We must find a way to keep a good attitude and focus on God. He knows every road block we will encounter, and He will give us the strength, wisdom, and courage to endure.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the gardens in our lives. Help us to persevere and keep our focus on You. Give us the wisdom to take each day as it comes. Don’t let fear keep us from trying to reach our dreams.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dorothea lives in California with her husband and their two teenagers. Although she has endured the challenges of several chronic conditions for over 20 years, she trusts in God’s grace to help her get through each day. She writes with the desire to encourage others and to remind them of God’s unfailing love. Please leave a comment for Dorothea or read some of her other works at: www.restministriessunroom.ning.com/profile/DorotheaLove
Getting Better
25 Apr 2009 5 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Lisa Burgess
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 NIV)
After my baby died, I felt stuck for a long time. Stuck in a time warp, stuck in sadness, stuck in confusion about why it had happened.
But as sure as I was crying out to God, and as sure as He was answering, I still couldn’t hear Him through my tears. I didn’t feel I was making progress in my grief.
So when others would ask me if I were getting “better,” I never knew how to answer. Did they really mean, “Are you less sad?” or “Are you missing your little girl less?” or “Are you getting used to having her gone?”
No, no, and no.
Grief takes time, usually more time than we’d like, and more time than others expect.
Neither do I know how to respond now when friends ask about my physical pain, “Is it better?” No, it’s not better, if you really mean, “Is it less?” And it probably never will be, in this life.
But am I learning to live with it better? Am I finding joy, even in the midst of the pain? Am I progressing towards contentment?
Yes, yes, and yes.
Because the Perfect Guide leads us, we are getting “better.” Because the Lord is our shepherd, we have no lack-whether in times of plenty or in times of want, in times of pain or in times of no pain.
While we may never enjoy or even get used to our road of pain, we can find peace because of our divine companion, knowing that the Lord and His provisions are enough.
I did find joy again after my baby’s death, even though it took longer than I wished. The next time I see her, neither one of us will be in pain. That truth makes accepting the other truths in my travels a little bit easier.
Dear Lord, Even in our pain, sometimes because of our pain, let us open our arms wide enough to accept Your presence with us. We are grateful we never walk this path alone.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lisa Burgess currently lives in Alabama with her husband and youngest teenage daughter, but looks forward to living in Heaven later with her entire family. She welcomes you to share your journey with her at lisanotes.blogspot.com.
A Peaceful Heart
24 Apr 2009 2 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: daily chronic pain illness devotionals, invisible illness, lynn severance, rest ministries
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?”(Psalm 22:1 NIV)
In the Psalms we can see our feelings mirrored. Although none of us will ever suffer the agonies that Christ did on our behalf, we can have times of feeling that we have been forsaken by Him or by others. Physical and emotional sorrows and pain are at times unbearable.
In reading this Psalm, a memory was triggered in me. A person had made an innocent comment that stabbed at a deep unmet need in my life. For days this particular pain would not leave me. Have you been there in your chronic cries —feeling desolate? It was not so much a feeling that God had forsaken me but that I was unable to release the pain. I was so “busy” sobbing to Him that it was not until I stopped to take a breath that He could get my attention. Then His answers came and the emotional pain subsided.
This Psalm continues. “For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.” (vs.24)
In my self centered maze of pain, it may have seemed God’s back was towards me. But He was speaking. I needed to stop sobbing to hear Him say, “Come Lynn and face Me heart to heart. You will be able to hand Me your bruised emotions when we are that much closer. Let me take the broken pieces. Let me hold you and transfuse from My heart to your heart new life and hope. I came for this reason so long ago as I cried out feeling forsaken Myself. Only I know how to truly help you now. Receive My peace-filled heart.”
Lord, You help me stop to hear Your invitation to enter Your heart and offer You my pain. Thank You for the pains You bore for me. I let go of all I bear and make room to receive Your gift of all I need. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lynn Severance is a retired elementary classroom teacher. She is single and lives alone in Lynnwood, WA. She writes to encourage others as God has encouraged her during 26 years of living with daily physical challenges.
Sorrowful Yet Rejoicing
24 Apr 2009 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: brony, chronic back pain, daily chronic pain illness devotionals, depression, fibro, fibromyalgia, headaches, hopekeepers, invisible illness, trials and chronically ill
“Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” (II Corinthians 6:10).
I recently had the opportunity to visit one of our daughters who lives out of state for her birthday. Unfortunately, I just had a major flare-up of some back problems a few weeks before, and they were not improving very quickly.
My usual response to this situation is to begin a cycle of pain, panic, and depression. The pain starts and intensifies, causing me to fear how long it will last and how I will bear it. I then start my rounds of medications, all of which cause various side effects, resulting in a totally depressed and discouraged frame of mind. I knew if I went down that path this time, the trip would be spoiled for not only myself but my daughter and husband as well. I truly wanted my response to be different.
The week before, the Lord had enabled me to play the piano for our church women’s retreat. That in itself was miraculous, given the fact that my back was at its worst while sitting. I had determined then to give that weekend to God, and he had proved himself faithful. I had made it through that weekend and been able to give him glory in the process. Why would he disappoint me now?
God enabled me to have wonderful victory. I was in pain or discomfort the entire weekend, yet I can honestly say that I enjoyed it and did not allow my problems to dampen the visit. Would I have enjoyed it more without the pain? Of course. Yet I was given grace to enjoy it through the pain. In this life, very few things will be bring complete joy and happiness. Yet God gives us the ability to find joy in the midst of sorrow, comforting us for the moment at hand and giving us hope for the eternal future yet to come.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise you for the joy that will be mine in eternity. Now in this earthly life, give me the ability to rejoice even through sorrow, seeing the good amidst the pain. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bronlynn Spindler is a wife and mother of three grown daughters and lives in Fredericksburg, VA. She struggles with chronic back pain, depression, headaches, and fibromyalgia. She works part-time for a pediatric office and participates on her church worship team only by the grace of God.
No Nessecito
22 Apr 2009 2 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Attention Deficit Disorder, beth cotrrill, daily chronic pain illness devotionals, daily meditations, depression, invisible illness, osteo-arthritis, stroke
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8).
When my grandson was three, he went with his daddy to a convenience store in Mexico. While they were waiting at the counter to pay, Nathanael spotted some candy, which he immediately wanted. Picking it up, he placed it with the other purchase, saying, “No necesito!” a new phrase he had just been taught.
As you may have guessed, the words mean, “I don’t need (this!)” Whether he fully understood or not, he was right. And dad added his firm “No.” Chuckling over this incident, I decided to put the expression on the fridge, hoping it would remind me that I don’t always need what I go there to get. Sweets, especially ice cream, have been a temptation for years. But they not only add on the pounds, they make my physical condition worse.
The experiment failed. The words seldom stopped me! I simply ignored them, if I actually read them at all. And that’s what harmful habits are like. Do you find that you tell yourself, “I need this” when you know in your heart you really don’t? Or “I shouldn’t, but just a little can’t hurt me?” Romans 6:11 says, “Look upon yourselves as dead to the appeal and power of sin, but alive and sensitive to the call of God?” (J. B. Phillips’ paraphrase).
Notice there are two things involved: saying no to what is wrong, and yes to God. Pulling away from what will hurt and harm, and drawing nearer to the Lord. As we focus on delightful and satisfying fellowship with Him, we’ll turn to Him more and more, seeking His will in order to have our deepest needs met. Old harmful habits can be turned into healthy habits as we remember Christ has indeed set us free.
“Dear Lord, we confess our faults to you, and praise You for Your mercy and forgiveness. Help us through Your guidance and grace, to turn to You alone when we crave things that are destructive. Then we will taste and see that You are good.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Beth Cottrill lives in a small town in rural Saskatchewan, Canada, with her recently retired pastor/teacher husband, Bob. She finds living with Attention Deficit Disorder, depression, osteo-arthritis and a stroke of several years ago a challenge, but also training for a ministry to others. She loves animals, music, scrap booking, making cards and being a grandma.
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