He Can Handle It
31 Jul 2009 5 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: anger, chronic, Dorothea, doubt, fear, hopekeepers, illness, pain, peace, rest ministries, strength
“My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge..” (Psalm 62:7-8 NIV)
Are there times when you feel overwhelmed with being defined by chronic illness? Do you ever get tired of the pain? The pills? The limitations? Are there mornings when you wake up feeling like nothing seems to ever change for you? I’ll admit that my answer has been “yes”, at one time or another, to each one of these questions.
That’s why this portion of scripture ministers to the very depth of my soul. When I’m tired of being judged; discouraged at having to get through another day of pain; or weary of trying to convince someone else of my faith in God – this verse reassures me that I can unload every care onto the Lord’s shoulders. I can do as I Peter 5:7 states, knowing that God will take all of these cares from me and replace them with His peace (Philippians 4:6-7).
He doesn’t mind if gut-wrenching sobs are involved, if I confess my deepest fears to Him, or if I seek His assurance and peace. He can handle any struggle with doubt or anger that I give Him. He doesn’t condemn me when I seek to release all these pent-up emotions. He allows me to unburden my soul to Him, and then, He gently restores me, allowing the Holy Spirit to minister to me and to comfort me through His word.
It is during these dark times that I have learned to rely on God’s might. When I am at my lowest, He has never failed to be my refuge and my source of strength.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help us remember that You know and care about everything that is happening to us. Show us how to release all of our emotions to You. We welcome You as our shelter and our place of safety. Lord, heals our bodies, our minds, and souls.
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.
Wine Anyone?
29 Jul 2009 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Chronic Immune Dysfunction Syndrome chronic, complain, hopekeepers, illness, pain, rest ministries, suffer, Tammi, trial
“Do everything without complaining or arguing…” (Philippians. 2:14 NIV)
When God brings unwanted trials into our lives, like chronic illness and pain, it’s very difficult not to grumble and complain. I struggle with this on a daily basis. It’s so easy to grumble against our circumstances, failed treatments, expensive doctors that can’t seem to help us get better, having to rest so much, a lack of concern from our churches, friends or family, and the list goes on. Not to mention the fact that our illnesses make every task difficult and sometimes even impossible to accomplish. There are definitely many temptations to complain, but God commands us to have a different attitude.
In Numbers 14, the Israelites had just received a bad report from some of the men who had gone to spy out Canaan, the Promised land. From the Desert of Paran, Moses had sent one leader from each of the twelve tribes of Israel to explore the land. Only two of the men, Joshua and Caleb, came back with a positive report (Num. 13:30). That night, all the Israelites, who were wimpy anyway, raised their voices and wept. They grumbled against Moses and Aaron, but they were really grumbling against God. Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole assembly knowing that, because of God’s justice, His great wrath would be kindled against them. They pleaded for God’s mercy (Num. 14:5). God granted their request by not completely destroying them, but He sent a plague that killed the Israelites who had brought back the bad report (Num. 14:36-37). Only Joshua and Caleb survived.
This Scriptural illustration indicates how seriously God views complaining. However discouraging or disheartening our circumstances may be, they are sent from God’s hand (Isa. 45:7, Job 42:11), and we must pray daily for grace to hold our tongues and learn to “give thanks in all circumstances” (II Thess. 5:18). Instead of complaining, we need to have the attitude of Samuel Rutherford, a Scottish minister in the 1600’s, who once said, “Whenever I am in the cellar of affliction, I always look for the wine.”
Dear Father, in the midst of our suffering, give us grace to hold our tongues and not complain against You.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tammi writes: I have suffered with CFIDS “Chronic Immune Dysfunction Syndrome” for sixteen years, but continue to trust in the Lord that one day I will be significantly better or completely well again. Like many of you, I have endured a recent setback due to another failed treatment. Perhaps God is using this trial to give me new material to write about and/or to teach me more about patience, perseverance and His grace. I am very grateful that God’s mercies are new every morning; GREAT is His faithfulness (Lam. 3:23).
Standing On The Heights
26 Jul 2009 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: back, Bronlynn Spindler, chronic, depression, fibromyalgia, headaches, hopekeepers, illness, pain, rest ministries
“It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights” (Psalm 18:33 NIV).
Although not athletic as a child, in young adulthood I discovered some physical activities I enjoyed and had a few short years to pursue them – bicycling, jogging, aerobics, and walking. Those activities left me feeling exhilarated, motivated and energized. I took the ability to do those things for granted, fitting them into my schedule as time allowed. Then as my health issues slowly started cropping up, my physical activities dwindled. Very little of those activities remain today. Although the losses were somewhat gradual, it was still extremely difficult to give up hope of them being restored.
At one point, my son-in-law was in training for the Marines. After returning from boot camp and describing his rigorous training, I found myself feeling very envious of his physical abilities. What I would give to be able to run around the block one time! I started my downhill spiral of self-pity.
Then I realized that those of us with chronic limitations have opportunities to “exercise” our bodies and minds every day. We can endure physical as well as mental and emotional pain and do it well. God gives each of us strength to get through every day. We may not physically be standing on the mountaintop, but spiritually we are by his power and might. Each morning we can put on the armor and get ready to fight our battles no matter how tired or weak we feel. Psalm 18:29 says that with God’s help we can advance against a troop and scale a wall. My “troop” may be countless negative thoughts, my “wall” the task of getting up, dressed and ready to face the day. God can and will enable me to exercise faith and self-discipline in any difficulty.
Our physical limitations are part of this earthly life, but one day in eternity we will be able to literally run with hinds feet to the top of the mountain. How wonderful that will feel! For today we can stand on the heights in our own way, praise God.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, remind me that whatever mountains I am facing in my life, they are not too high to climb with you. Strengthen my feeble arms and weak knees, and lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 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.
You Broaden My Path
19 Jul 2009 6 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: back, Bronlynn Spindler, chronic, depression, discouragement, fibromyalgia, headaches, hopekeepers, illness, pain, rest ministries, strength
“You broaden the path beneath me, so my ankles do not turn” ( Psalm 18 :36 NIV).
Before my continual health problems, I used to enjoy walking and short distance hiking. Walking, especially out in nature, was a good time to reflect on things and simply enjoy the peacefulness and beauty of God’s creation. I greatly miss being able to do that.
When I read this verse, I am reminded of a photograph in a book I once read. The picture was of a narrow dirt path lined with rocks, colorful yellow wildflowers growing on the sloped trailside and cascading out on to the path. In the near distance craggy mountains rose up to meet the azure sky. I love to envision myself there on that trail in those beautiful surroundings. That picture is also symbolic of my life.
The trail of life on which I’m walking now is rather narrow and rock-strewn. Some days the obstacles in my path may be pebbles or stones, other days the size of boulders. There are days when I am covered in the dust of discouragement and weariness. At times the trail goes uphill more than down. But wherever I am on that trail, God reveals himself to me somehow, just as the flowers, mountains and sky reveal him in nature on that mountain path.
No matter how narrow my path of life becomes, the Lord will broaden it for me, keeping my ankles from turning. He gives me strength to make it up the slopes and keeps my feet from slipping. If I am looking to him, trusting him and his choice of the paths on which I walk, he “makes my steps firm; though I stumble I will not fall, for the Lord upholds me with his hand” (Psalm 37:23,24).
My opportunities for scenic walks are few in number now, and when they come, they are very precious. But even in the paths of my daily life, I can imagine myself on that lovely mountain trail, knowing that “the Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights” (Habakkuk 3:19). No trail is too steep for that promise.
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.
A Delightful Inheritance
18 Jul 2009 6 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: alone, Bronlynn Spindler, chronic, future, hopekeepers, illness, pain, presence, rest ministries
“Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. . . surely I have a delightful inheritance” (Psalm 16:5.6 NIV).
The word “inheritance” brings pleasant pictures to my mind. I think of lovely antiques, heirloom jewelry, and perhaps an unexpected sum of money! Our spiritual inheritance is of far greater worth than any earthly one could be.
At times in this life, with this imperfect body, I am not content with my portion and cup. I would prefer something different. Yet Scripture says the Lord “assigned” this cup to me. If God chose the paths for my life, and if I truly believe in and trust him for my ultimate good, then I should accept my cup willingly. He is all I need to satisfy my hunger and thirst in every way.
This passage also states that the Lord has made my lot secure. He is in control of my destiny – past, present, and future. I know where my eternal future lies, but I also know he will be with me through everything I face in this life. I am not alone.
Truly I do have a delightful inheritance. Unlike an earthly one, I do not need to wait for someone’s death to receive it. The death took place years ago at Calvary. The gifts are mine, waiting for me accept them. God’s presence is with me daily – surrounding me, protecting me, guiding me, and loving me. In pain and pleasure, he is there to bring hope, joy, comfort, and forgiveness. I can exclaim with the psalmist, “Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure” (Psalm 16:9). As I go through this life, may I be reminded of all he has given me even now, and rejoice.
Prayer: Gracious God, you have shown me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy and in your right hand are pleasures evermore. Thank you that you are my most precious inheritance. 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.
Serving The Lord With Gladness
17 Jul 2009 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: cancer, chronic, fear, hopekeepers, illness, lynn severance, pain, rest ministries, victory
“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the lands! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!”, (Psalm 100: 1-2 NIV)
As I read this verse, I recall 1987, the year I underwent surgery for what turned out to be an aggressive form of breast cancer. I awakened to this startling news. Sleepless for twenty-four hours, and emotionally paralyzed I then recognized a small flicker deep within me. I turned inward whispering, “Lord, help me. My eyes are on You”.
I had the deepest encounter with my Lord. He came gently with his still small voice. He actually had to tell me what I was feeling. As each emotion was addressed, He gave me his counsel. I later realized He had personally taken me through the first part of 2 Chronicles 20. In that story, Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah await enemy armies that outnumber them. Their only resource is to turn to the Lord for help. He tells them to not be afraid for the battle is his and not theirs. (v.15) That same promise became mine in my battle against my overwhelming enemy.
Once home I learned more about this promise. I discovered these people went out to meet the enemy singing praises to God as they traveled. This became my stance during my months of chemotherapy treatments. Both the people of Judah and I experienced victory over a beaten foe.
What does this have to do with the Psalm’s verses? I recognize more deeply that I serve a faithful God. I felt Him. He continues to meet me each day as I allow Him to fight the challenges I face – challenges lasting years beyond the cancer diagnosis and triumph. He reminds me the enemy is beaten. I am not. He is worthy to be served and praised. He first served me as Savior. Now I serve Him with a spirit of joy, gladness and even singing because He has shown me that is how one celebrates when He gets the victory.
Prayer: Lord, help me continue to make a joyful noise of praise to You. Your faithfulness is known, received, cherished, and everlasting. 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.
Jesus Stopped
15 Jul 2009 6 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: chronic, Crohn's, fibromyalgia, heal, hopekeepers, hurt, illness, jill stewart, pain, pressure, rest ministries, value
“Here a great number of disabled people used to lie — the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for 38 years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” ‘Sir,’ the invalid replied, ‘I have no one to help me into the pool…’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath…” (John 5:3-9 NIV)
Sometimes my perception of self-worth takes quite a beating. Not that there isn’t enough pressure on people to be more attractive, wealthier, more talented. More, more, more. Not good enough. These pressures harass many, whether in tip-top health or otherwise.
Add to that the limitations sometimes imposed by chronic illness and pain. And what about when people treat us without respect or compassion? Whether doctors, strangers or whoever, if this happens when feeling weak or vulnerable from health issues, it can compound physical pain with a dose of emotional hurt.
How did Jesus relate to people who were not the most highly valued by society? And specifically how did he relate to people who suffered health problems?
The stigma of illness was severe in the first century. Out in the open for all to see his infirmity, this lame man spends his days near the pool of Bethsaida, believing his only hope for healing is for someone to carry him so he can be first into the pool after the water is stirred.
And then comes Jesus. Jesus stops walking to talk with this man. He takes time to find out how long the man has been lame. Out of all of the people by the pool, he speaks with the man who has suffered for 38 years. Chronic illness.
And then Jesus heals him — on the Sabbath, no less, which the Pharisees consider is breaking the law. Jesus cares far more about making this man whole than about the opinion of the strongly disapproving Pharisees, the ones respected by the Jews, the ones with the highest education in the law.
Praise the Lord for His active love towards people with chronic illness! The value Jesus places on this lame man reveals the value he places on us.
Prayer: Jesus, please remind us of this Reality if we ever struggle with poor treatment from others. Enable us to love people, whatever their situation, with Your active compassion.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jill C. Stewart lives with her husband in rainy, lush Washington State. She is counting on the Lord to show her daily how to experience His “abundant life” in the midst of her fibromyalgia and Crohn’s disease.
Keep Your Eyes On God
12 Jul 2009 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: chronic, Fiona Burrows, hopekeepers, illness, pain, problems, rest ministries, worry
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil. 2-4 NIV)
Living with chronic pain, life can become so full of the problems associated with the pain, that you don’t see the things that are right in front of your eyes.
I had just had a really bad week of additional pain and I was feeling sorry for myself. It was hard to see past the pain and I think each time I spoke to someone, I wanted them to sympathise with me so I could go on feeling sorry for myself too.
Friends who I can really share with how I feel are few. I value them and there are times when I just want to be able to talk over honestly, how I feel or what I’m worried about with them, so that I will feel clearer about what I should do. That’s not necessarily looking for sympathy, just empathy and to know someone cares about me.
How awful I felt when I called such a friend and launched into my story, without giving a thought to how she was feeling. She was having a really tough time and when I should have been calling to offer support, I was instead looking for her support for me. She proceeded to tell me how she was feeling overwhelmed by her circumstances and didn’t know how she would get through them.
It is sobering for me to find that strong Christian friends I admire, who help me so much, have bad days too. It reminds me that the things I see as painful and difficult in my life are sometimes small in light of others’ problems.
Feeling guilty, I finished my call promising to pray for her and reminded again that we have a God bigger than any of our problems. A God who promises to go through everything with us and to support us as only He can do.
God knows each of our problems, but God has promised to help us all. If we keep our eyes on God and off our circumstances, He will be better able to use us, especially in our dealings with other people.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. After more than 20 years of chronic pain, she still needs to be reminded to keep her eyes on God, but is grateful for the lessons God is teaching her each day.
God’s Wake-Up Call
08 Jul 2009 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: back, cope, daily chronic, Fiona Burrows, hopekeepers, illness, pain, problem, rest ministries
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:2-3 NIV)
Do you ever wonder why, when you are feeling like you have had enough and don’t know how you will continue to cope any longer, God sends something new for you to get through that may be even harder to bear.
After 15 years of coming to terms with the physical limitations of my body, I found that I had a new type of pain and something that was more acutely serious than my original problem. It meant many doctors visits, scans and trips to hospital for treatment or rehabilitation. My focus changed because this current problem could not just be lived with as it was, it has to be treated and fixed.
I’ve often thought that God sends us trials to wake us up, to show us our need of Him, or to put the needs and situations of others around us in better perspective. When God sends something else as well, I wonder if He is wanting to reinforce those messages, or to teach me something new. I don’t know the answer, but at that time I found the following things to be true for me.
God reinforced to me that He is with me in every situation, He showed me His promises and gave me new ones as well.
He sent me friends and family to encourage me, to take me to appointments and care for me when I could not look after myself. He provided me with everything I “needed”.
I didn’t know what the future held for me then, especially in terms of my job security after I had an operation, but I did know that God is always in control.
Maybe even though I thought I had learned these lessons over that first 10-15 years, I needed a wake-up call to remind me who really is in control of my life and its possible God will need to remind me again, if I lose sight of that, and become overwhelmed by the worries of everyday. God is always bigger than my problems!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne Australia. After more than 20 years of chronic back pain, God is still teaching her lessons and providing His grace.
Crossing The Red Sea
05 Jul 2009 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: back, chronic, complain, doubt, Fiona Burrows, God, hopekeepers, illness, pain, rest ministries
“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14 NIV)
As I was reading this story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea to escape the Egyptians, I was struck again by the fact that the Israelites complained to Moses so many times, when things just didn’t seem to be going the way they wanted them to. Just before this, they had complained that they might as well have died in Egypt, as come out into the desert to die.
They just didn’t seem to be able to grasp the fact that God was looking after them, that this was a part of His plan for them. They were about to see one of the most spectacular demonstrations of God’s power, as the sea piled up on itself and cleared a dry way for them to cross over to the other side – yet they still doubted.
Sometimes we can feel like we are in the midst of a situation that we can see no way out of. The “chronic” part or chronic illness, means that this will not just be something we face today, it will possibly need to be faced again and again.
Moses words here are a great reminder for us too, that the Lord will fight for us, we need only to be still, trusting Him and standing firm on the promises He gives us.
We may not see anything as dramatic as the parting of the Red Sea, but we can still know the power of God helping us in our everyday lives. God will be there in the good times and also in the tough times.
At the end of the chapter it says “..When the Isarelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in Him…”
We need to stand firm, trusting in our all-knowing, all-powerful God.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia and is so grateful that God is “fighting for” her in every part of her life as she lives with chronic back pain.
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