We Have A Reason to Hope
31 Jan 2010 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: christian encouragement, Christianity, chronic illness, chronic pain, daily devotionals, devotional writers, Epistle to the Hebrews, God, Holy Spirit, hopekeepers, illness ministry, inspirational stories, invisible illness, Jesus, meditation, Religion and Spirituality, rest ministries, Soul
“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.
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God, Are You Really Here?
29 Jan 2010 4 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: christian encouragement, chronic illness, chronic pain, daily devotionals, devotional writers, hopekeepers, illness ministry, inspirational stories, invisible illness, Kingdom of God, meditation, rest ministries
“And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer. . . ” (Romans 11:26)
God had promised, though the prophets, to send a deliverer many, many years before Jesus actually came. Can you just imagine how some of the people felt when John the Baptist was preaching so fervently, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand”?
I can just hear some of the comments . . . “Yea, yea, we have been hearing this for years now, and God has done nothing!”
There are many times, I’m sure when you have felt this way. I know I have. When I am struck down with intense pain and fatigue on a day when I have so much to do, or someplace important to go, I tend to think that if I ask, God will “instantly” make a way for me to carry out those plans.
Not always the case. Sometimes I have to call and cancel my plans, and take to my bed. How discouraging!
“God, why today? Where are You when I have prayed . . . believing?”
God made many promises to us, but He never, ever said he would fulfill them instantly. He has a reason for His timing, and also for the method in which He chooses to answer our prayers. And, His ways are perfect, even when we would prefer to have our own way.
Countless times in God’s word I read of those who have been in terrible situations for years, praying every minute, I’m sure, for God to deliver them, but they end up having to wait, and wait, then wait some more. Sometimes, years later, they get an answer. (Think of Joseph; Genesis 41 as just one example)
Dear friend, when you feel God isn’t listening to your cries for help, don’t give up, ever! He hears our prayers even before we have finished speaking them, and He answers every one of them in His way for He knows best!
In the meantime, while we are in the midst of a terrible storm of pain, or whatever we are having to live through, He is right here with us, giving us strength to go through the situation, one step at a time. He even carries us through the worst part, for we are not able to do it in our own strength.
Take heart, friends. Our Deliverer has truly come! And, He knows and fulfills our needs—always!
About the Author:
Alice Ervin lives daily with several chronic illnesses, but chooses to rely on the strength of her Savoir, Jesus Christ. He has never once let her down, and she knows, even though she doesn’t always get her own way, what He does for her each day will be for His glory.
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The Comfort Tree
28 Jan 2010 6 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: christian encouragement, chronic illness, chronic pain, daily devotionals, devotional writers, hopekeepers, illness ministry, inspirational stories, invisible illness, meditation, rest ministries
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)
A friend recently challenged me to find something to be thankful for each day. I’ve been trying to find things I usually overlook or take for granted. So today, I am thankful for trees. Actually, I am most grateful for one tree in particular.
Outside my bedroom window is a large shagbark hickory tree. I only recently truly became aware of this tree. One day, I realized it looked like a Walt Disney “tree person.” It has limbs on each side that look like arms – and branches shooting up into the air like hair on the top of its head. This tree, however, is a comforting tree and not a scary one.
As I sit and look at its steadfast nature—how solid and immovable it is—and how patiently it is waiting for springtime, I find myself thinking, “I’d like to be like that tree.”
As the leaves started to fall off in autumn, it accepted that loss gracefully. Would that I accept my losses as gracefully as my tree. Today, it is covered in ice and snow. Yet does it fret and try to change? No. It accepts the storms of the past few days and stands with a quiet grace.
To some my tree might look dead, but I know the truth. Inside a beautiful life is waiting to get out in the proper season.
My tree brings me peace. My tree is one of the lovely lessons God is giving me, in the winter of my own life. I have endured many losses. My life seems cold and barren right now. And yet I know—I know—that comes the springtime, I will bear fruit again.
God will decide the timing of that season. I don’t need to worry or fret. I can stand solidly on God’s promises; I can choose to be immoveable. I can be patient. And when I forget . . . I can look out the window and see my ever-present reminder. The tree God gave me, planted years and years and years ago, to bring a blessing to me today.
Father God, I pray that you will place in the life of each reader, an ever-present reminder of you and your steadfast love. Amen.
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 .
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Keeping Our Vision
27 Jan 2010 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Bronlynn Spindler, christian encouragement, chronic illness, chronic pain, daily devotionals, devotional writers, Divine grace, Fredericksburg Virginia, God, Health, hopekeepers, illness ministry, inspirational stories, invisible illness, Isaiah, Lord, Major depressive disorder, meditation, rest ministries
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“Where there is no vision, the people perish, but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV).
I have heard this verse quoted many times and applied to many circumstance. I recently realized how applicable this verse is to those of us with health conditions.
Living with limitations, it is easy to lose vision for our lives. Having to give up a job, career, ministry, or daily household tasks, we can feel useless and unnecessary. It becomes easy to fall into depression and isolation, and we can indeed begin to “perish”.
I found this happening to myself at one point. The more depressed and isolated I became, the more difficulty I had bringing myself back in to contact with others. I was denying the truth of God’s Word which says that He has a plan and purpose for my life, regardless of my physical condition.
The Lord has a vision and purpose for each of us at this point in time. Before my health decline, my only writing consisted of college term papers written years ago. Yet God had a vision for my life which I would not have thought possible—writing devotionals.
The same is true for each of us. We may not all be called to write, but we can intercede for, encourage, and support others to the glory of God in various ways.
Although health problems may seem to limit our earthly usefulness, they do not limit our usefulness in God’s kingdom. God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8), and He will bring about all that He has planned (Isaiah 46:11). As we seek the Lord’s face, His light will guide and direct us in to the purposes He has for us, even in our infirmities. Every day, may we ask the Lord to see our lives with a thriving heavenly vision, rather than a perishing earthly one.
Prayer: Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; nought be all else to me, save that Thou art- Thou my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light (Irish hymn). 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.
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Looking Straight Ahead
26 Jan 2010 4 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: anxiety, cancer, chronic, hopekeepers, illness, lynn severance, pain, peace, rest ministries, strength, trust
“For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.” (Psalm 61:3 NIV).
We have all been there – where new physical symptoms arise requiring medical attention. This is where I have been in recent months, roaming with God by my side. Even so, I have not always felt at peace. Many prayers have been said on my behalf. Scans and tests made the unknown more intense, but investigation was important. This week, I sat in my specialist’s exam room – the word “oncologist” inscribed on his office door.
God saw me through a battle with cancer years ago. That did not make the potential thoughts of a new round any easier. Emotionally, a see-saw existed with peace reigning, but anxiety coming in with its “what ifs”. I prayed, “Lord, you made me human. You know what is going on. You are with me. You understand my anxiety. You know my heart is trusting you”.
My eyes scanned the mid-sized room – an exam table its main feature. A photo graced one wall and an anatomy poster was on another. There was a counter, some magazines, a sink and cabinets taking up a third side. A large-sized window directly across the room from where I sat completed the scene. The natural light to balance out the fluorescent lighting was so appreciated.
I was in somewhat of a daze. Then, I really looked straight ahead. Outside the window, but fully framed within it, another building appeared with the top of it in view. It was brown and obviously equal in height to the fourteenth floor room where I was sitting. My first thought was, “That is a strong tower”. God got my attention to show me an image of how I am to look at him, not at my own uncertainty, but at him.
That day, I received good news from my doctor. Had the news been different, God’s strength – as a strong tower – would have been there as well holding me steady.
Prayer: Lord, you remind me not to look behind or to the left or to the right but to look straight ahead, walking with you confidently into my future. You are my strength at all times. 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.
A Place Of Prayer
26 Jan 2010 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: absence seizures, chronic, fibromyalgia, hopekeepers, illness, nancy dittert, neuropathy, pain, prayer, rest ministries
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1Thess. 5:16-18 NIV)
When I was a small child I learned to pray with my family at our family Bible readings that we often shared together. We also prayed at our table at meal time.
I also learned about praying at the church my sister and I attended in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and in church services.
It was only as I grew older and started maturing a bit in the Lord that I realized that there are so many places to talk to God, to pray.
Prayer begins in our hearts. I have since learned as a child to be ever so grateful that I can find a place to pray anywhere I am, because anywhere I am… God is there too.
I don’t have to search for my Heavenly Father because He lives in me.
Prayers have been in my heart and on my lips in a hospital room sitting with a dying friend, on a walking trail enjoying God’s creation, in my car and even flying in a jet.
How wonderful to know that I am not limited as to where I can talk with my precious Lord and Saviour. He is constantly by me, waiting to hear my voice, and He is there for you too dear friends.
Let us all praise His name and thank Him for always being available for us. Our best friend, our counselor and our loving Saviour.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pastor Nancy Dittert (Founder of Fibro/Chronic Pain Support Group Ministry) lives in a Berm home in Rural Central Iowa with her husband & soul mate Patrick. Nancy lives with Severe Fibromyalgia, Absence Seizures and Neuropathy. She is actively involved as a Christian freelance writer and works full time in Chronic Pain Ministry through the Internet.
Nothing Is Too Small To Matter To God
26 Jan 2010 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: caring, chronic, hopekeepers, illness, joint replacement surgery, Lisa Copen, love, pain, rest ministries, rheumatoid arthritis
“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Luke 12:7)
I am fortunate that I have never had to deal with a complete loss of my hair. However, being on certain medications, including a kind of injectable low dose chemotherapy, has given my once precious thick hair online of its own. It has turned thin and straight, to kinky and frizzy. Now it is somewhere in between, being both thin and frizzy, straight to kinky. Every time I go to get it cut the beautician exclaims how it feels like straw or even pretend doll’s hair.
When you live daily with a chronic illness it can be easy to become discouraged when your body doesn’t work the way you wish it would. Perhaps you feel like every muscle aches in your body. Or that you are carrying around an extra gallon of water in the bloating. Maybe your medications have caused you to lose some hair, or you wonder how you could have gotten the infection when you are so careful about sanitizing your hands. Well, here are some interesting facts about our bodies.
As you read through them you may want to celebrate the miracle that despite what is going on in your body incorrectly, there is still so much that is working well.
There are:
• 10 gallons of water in your body
• 22 muscles used when you speak
• 206 bones in your body
• 100,000 hairs on your scalp
• 32 million bacteria living on each square inch of your body
• 2.5 billion heartbeats in the average lifetime*
If you are like me, there are some days you may feel like those 202 muscles that help you speak are overworked. Or perhaps you too have had joint replacements. I wonder, am I down to 202 bones now after my recent surgery in my hand? Our body is a wondrous, unexplainable, amazing miracle that God has blessed each human being with, despite how we may treat it or our lack of understanding about it.
No matter how poorly you may physically feel at this moment, take comfort in the fact that if God cares about how many hairs (or lack thereof) are on your very head, He cares about every pain, every gasp you make from a sharp movement, every sleepless night, and even every sneeze. Nothing you are feeling is too small to matter to Him.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since 1993. She recently had joint replacement surgery on the four fingers of her left hand.
The Outer Fringe
26 Jan 2010 2 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: chronic, creation, Fiona Burrows, hopekeepers, illness, nature, overwhelmed, pain, rest ministries
“He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.
He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.
He covers the face of the full moon, spreading his clouds over it.
He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light and darkness.
The pillars of the heavens quake, aghast at his rebuke.
By his power he churned up the sea; by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.
By his breath the skies became fair; his hand pierced the gliding serpent.
And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him!
Who then can understand the thunder of his power?” (Job 26:7-14 NIV)
Even though I may have read these words on many occasions, I don’t think until recently I had ever noticed the phrase at the end of these verses – “And these are but the outer fringe of his works;”
I love being out in nature, admiring the works of our Creator God and the infinite beauty He gives us to enjoy. From the majesty of towering mountains, to the intricacy of a tiny flower or insect; rugged coastlines, or the quiet beauty of a trickling stream; white sandy beaches, or cool rainforests; the list goes on and on.
God made all these things and He made them for us to enjoy, but these verses tell us that it is only a small part of His works and a small part of the power that He has available to Him.
If this is only “the whisper” we get now – how much greater is what we have to look forward to in the place that He is preparing for us! We can’t even imagine.
Sometimes life with a chronic illness can seem overwhelming – but we have a God who is so much bigger and more powerful than we can even imagine – and He loves and cares about us and every little thing that we go through. How great is that!
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.
God’s Unshakeable Peace and Compassion
26 Jan 2010 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: back, Bronlynn Spindler, chronic, comfort, compassion, daily, depression, despair, fear, fibromyalgia, headaches, hopekeepers, hopelessness, illness, pain, peace, rest ministries, shaken
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you” (Isaiah 54:10).
Recently there was a severe earthquake in Haiti. Two of our church members were there, and thanks be to God, were kept safe. As I learned more about the total devastation and repercussions of this tragedy, I thought of this verse and its significance to those of us with chronic health problems.
Although I have not experienced a geological earthquake, there have been times when my life has been greatly shaken due to health problems. A new pain or questionable test result is a source of great concern. Loss of yet another ability is devastating. Sometimes it appears as though our world is literally falling down around us, and we may be tempted to give up all hope.
God’s Word says that even when we experience these “earthquakes” in our lives, He is still there for us. Nothing we are experiencing in our earthly bodies can remove His peace or love. God takes His covenants very seriously — seriously enough to have shed Jesus’ blood as a sign for us. We not only have His peace but His compassion as well. With each pain we experience–each tear we cry–God is pouring out His comfort and compassion in some way, though we may be unaware of it at the time. God’s compassion for us is greater than what we offer even to our own children (Psalm 103:13-14).
When we face these upheavals in our lives, we can know that regardless of how earth-shattering they may seem, God’s love, peace, and compassion will be there surrounding us. “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall in to the heart of the sea” (Psalm 46:2). We have His Word on it — literally.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, how thankful we are that Your mercy, compassion, peace, and love never fail. Give us the faith to believe the truth of Your Word at all times. Before we call, You answer; while we are still speaking, You will hear (Isaiah 65:24). 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
A Progression Of Praise
26 Jan 2010 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: anxiety, back, Bronlynn Spindler, chronic, depression, distress, fear, fibromyalgia, headaches, hopekeepers, illness, joy, pain, peace, praise, prayer, rest ministries, sleepless
“You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound” (Psalm 4:7).
I noticed an interesting progression in this Psalm. David began with a cry of distress, asking God to answer him (verse 1). He acknowledged that God heard and answered his cries (verse 3), and then meditated in his heart, offering the sacrifices of praise to and trust in God (verses 4-5). He ended the Psalm being filled with joy. I also noted that in other Psalms of distress, whether joy was a byproduct or not, the authors reminded themselves of God’s faithfulness and ended with victorious words of assurance.
I began thinking of the way I handle my times of distress. Yes, I cry out to God, begging for relief, but do I continue as David did? Do I move on, meditating on God’s faithfulness to me in the past and committing myself to trusting Him for this particular moment? Do I give him a sacrifice of praise in the midst of my turmoil? I must admit the answer is not always.
Not only did David receive great joy, but he also received peace which allowed him to sleep (verse 8). How many times have I lain awake at night worrying about the health or circumstances of myself or others? Of course there are nights of pain, and praising God may not necessarily bring sleep then, but there are many other times when fears and worries are my source of sleeplessness.
When I have followed David’s example, I have not always experienced joy afterwards, but the Holy Spirit has never failed to bring peace, and sometimes the joy has come later. Whether I am facing a new crisis, or whether I am dealing with the same recurring issues, I would do well to learn from David. It will require some self discipline, for it is easier to give in to the ways of my old nature than to grow into my new one. But I have the power of the resurrected Christ in me, and the end result will be well worth the effort.
Prayer: O Lord, as I end my pleas with praise, fills me with Your joy, victory, and peace. 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
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