Allowing Light to Shine Through the Pain

30 Jun 2010 4 Comments

by Rest Ministries in Devotionals2 Tags: Christ Jesus, christian encouragement, Christianity, chronic illness, chronic pain, daily devotionals, devotional writers, Evangelism, God, Good works, hopekeepers, illness ministry, inspirational stories, invisible illness, Jesus, meditation, prayer, Religion and Spirituality, rest ministries, sandra platt

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Dear ones, how many of us feel discouraged about our physical limitations? If I were to take a guess, I would say just about all of us. Pain is a constant distractions, and fatigue is often all encompassing. Another difficulty that has come knocking at my door more and more often lately is clumsiness.

I have had an extended period of pain these past few months. Simply making my way through a day has often been an endurance exercise! It would have been so easy to feel like more of a burden than a blessing. Scriptures, like the verse for this day make all of the difference.

• “We ARE God’s workmanship…” And God does not make mistakes.
• We are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” A logical continuation of that would be that there must be good works that we are able to do.
• These good works, God already prepared for us to do. Everything is set up, we just need to find out His will for us!

In the Amplified Bible this verse reads like this, I think it explains the verse better for us.

“We are God’s own handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God planned beforehand for us to do so that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified Bible)

We may not be able to work full time in the “real” world. But we can touch others in many ways. We can be encouragers! Many of us have been blessed by E mails or cards through the mail that let us know someone is praying for us. We can bless others with notes and e mails and show we care. It is a good way to think of others and forget for a while how we are feeling.

We can send up sentence prayers and pray for those whose lives we touch at the Dr’s office or the pharmacy. Many times I have gotten to know someone while riding one of those handicap scooters in the stores. They seem to be automatic conversation starters as I try to reach for an item, or commiserate with someone else on their scooter. I smile and try to show God’s love and joy.

A chance encounter can be a God moment. Anytime I go out to the store I pray that I can be used.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

About the Author:
Sandra Platt is a Minister’s wife and mother of two. She has had Fibromyalgia for nearly 20 years, and now has numerous other health concerns as well. She cherishes the friendships she has made through Rest Ministries. You may contact her through the Sunroom.

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