The Pain That Weakens Us Is How We Gain God’s Strength
30 May 2011 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Christ, chronicpain, Conditions and Diseases, Father God, God, Health, Lord, pain
“Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered Him punished by God, stricken by Him, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4)
Tender joints, inflammation, chronic pain, fatigue that blurs the setting of today’s sun with its rising for tomorrow. Dismal visits in the doctor’s office, and the obnoxious prick of a pointed needle.
For far too many of us, this description is far too familiar, a tangoed dance that has timed the rhythm of our steps for far too long. Pain is often associated with punishment, for those of us who feel embattled by the chronic pain associated with a debilitating diagnosis.
We often become lost, overwhelmed, and washed away in a sea of our personal plight. Lost in this sea, we feel as if our voices are drowned as salted water fills our mouths and muffle our cries each time we reach out for help. We feel adrift and set apart from friends, family and co-workers with healthy immune systems, feeling as if they are incapable of truly understanding the physical pain and emotional exhaustion that greets us each day.
Weakened by the failing of our arms as we signal for an SOS, we instinctively turn to others in our lives, expecting them to save us from drowning; expecting their love to become what sustains us. In placing the focus on our loved ones, we turn to an imperfect source seeking perfect understanding, empathy and relief from pain that doggedly pursues us.
Beloved, we must understand that the pain which weakens us and brings us to our knees, perfectly positions us to keep our eyes, heart and every hope on our Heavenly Father, the sole source of endless empathy, understanding and perfect love.
Keeping our heart, spirit and souls filled with Him reminds us of offering of Christ; an offering marked by tortuous inhuman pain and death that led to a miraculous resurrection!
Prayer: Lord, help me remember that Your resurrection allows us to access Your power. Your defeat over pain can fill us with peace.
About the Author:
Both bound and freed by obedience birthed by faith, the oil of joy allows Natasha Webster to embrace laughter and love as a single mother with two beautiful children.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
What joy have you discovered in the middle of the most unlikely places–chronic pain?
“Hurry Up Already!” How God Adjusted My Attitude In Only a Moment
30 May 2011 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Bible, Christ, Epistle to the Colossians, God, Great Smoky Mountains, Health, Holy Spirit, Jesus
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)
I was feeling put out; inconvenienced and impatient.
Thanks to those industrious criminals who’ve decided to make their own medication, the singular antihistamine that effectively relieves my seasonal allergy symptoms is now available only behind the counter. I have to wait in line at one of the few pharmacies that still carry it. And I have to sign for it, too, presumably so I can be quickly apprehended should I purchase enough to use it in some criminal fashion.
Aside: I don’t even cook food. I’m not about to start cooking up medicine. Anyway. . .
There were two men in line in front of me. The first man, the one taking forever, was probably in his late thirties. He wore loose jeans and a sweatshirt and occasionally turned back to smile apologetically as the clerk took her sweet time trying to get his insurance to go through. She seemed to know the man, or at least be familiar with him, and made polite conversation while trying multiple magic formulas.
Finally, she asked for his wife’s social security number. He had to call his wife to get the number. After he got it he kept talking to her, as though we had all day and night to stand there and wait. Her social security number didn’t work either so he told the clerk it was okay, he’d figure something out, but she insisted on continuing her efforts.
The fellow in front of me who was second in line, starting swaying and shifting his weight from foot to foot like a chained elephant, possibly with the idea that somebody might notice his obvious distress and open another register. It was right there–a register with nobody on it. Open it already.
I was asking myself how long I’d be willing to stand there when a second clerk appeared in the window next to the first clerk. She greeted the man in jeans and asked how he was doing, oblivious to the long line and the empty register where she clearly ought to be. Then she seemed to suddenly notice the man was bald.
“Hey, where’d your hair go?” she asked cheerfully.
“Well,” he said bashfully, “I didn’t want to have more hair than my wife. . . I shaved it.”
And right then, it was as though time stood still.
The talk continued. They discussed the man’s wife, her improvement, and the oncologist’s advice. And I wished I was invisible because if anybody happened to look, they would have seen such shame washing over me. I should be grateful that I have twenty minutes to spend standing in line, that I can stand at all, that I have enough money to buy medicine and insurance to pay for most of it.
Soon afterward, somebody opened a second register. They quickly helped the swaying man, and I was no longer in a hurry but they got me out of there in a jiffy. I’m home now, comfortable, fed, and medicated for allergies, but I can’t stop thinking about that man and his wife. I wonder if they have children and what their days are like.
Next time I’m stuck in line, I’ll pray for the people ahead of me instead of praying that they’ll hurry up.
Prayer: Dear God, Please forgive my selfishness and guide me as I focus on others, sharing your care and compassion. Thank you for your enduring love. Amen
About the Author:
Sally Rowland lives with her husband and two teenage children in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains where she produces entertainment at a local tourist attraction. She relishes family time as well as solitary pursuits like reading and trying to solve New York Times crossword puzzles. She strongly admires her daughter for her bravery and resilience in dealing with the disabling effects of a traumatic brain injury sustained in a school bus accident.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
Have you ever felt impatient or frustated with circumstances when God reached out and showed you that you needed an attitude adjustment? Share it with us. We’d love to hear how God teaches each of us to become more Christ-like.
Enduring Hope Is In God, Not What He Can Do
30 May 2011 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Button, christian, God, Jesus, Joni Eareckson Tada, Lord, Natalie Grant, Psalm
“May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” (Psalm 33:22)
A couple of weeks ago I had the honor of exhibiting and speaking at the “Through the Roof Summit” put on my Joni Eareckson Tada’s ministry. It had been a few years ago since I had exhibited at this event the last time and my son had handed out buttons to everyone that came to our table.
Vickie, a woman I had met during the last event wheeled up to my table again this year. “Didn’t you hand out the ‘Hope Endures’ buttons a few years ago?” she asked. “Yes!” I said. “Oh, I still have it,” she responded. “I have had a really difficult few years, but I put that button up on the visor of my car and every time I get in my car I see it and say, ‘Hope endures, hope endures. . .’”
These are the treasures of stories that always touch me. A little button with a slogan I thought up years earlier has been the source of hope for one person.
Hope does endure. Through all of our ups and downs, infections and reactions, celebrations and disappointments, hope can always endure. But hope only endures if we have that hope in God. When we are tempted to hope for things, for results, for what God is going to do for us, that hope cannot hold firm. Our true hope can only endure when it is centered directly on who God is.
God is faithful, merciful, understanding, compassionate. He is bold, assuring, loving, and even a jealous God. He comforts, loyal, ever-present, and overflowing with joy. When our hope is simply placed in God–and whatever He decides is His best for us at the moment–then our hope will not be disappointed.
Prayer: Lord, help me to know that despite my circumstances Your hope always endures. Because I know You as my savior, I have a new and different kind of hope that those who do not have You. I can forget this easily and be persuaded to hope in the things the world hopes in. Keep me on Your path that always leads back to hope.
About the Author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since 1993. She lives with significant daily pain and uses her ministry work as a tool to try to distract her from it. If you like the “Hope Endures” message you may enjoy browsing the Rest Ministries Shop for some of the items we h ave available. Looking for a beautiful song on hope? Check out Christian artist Natalie Grant singing “Our Hope Endures.” You will love the lyrics!
Do you have a favorite saying, quotation, or scripture that resides on your refrigerator or in your car? What short saying keeps you going when times are tough?”
How Can You Enlarge the Place of Your Tent and Encourage Another?
29 May 2011 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: arthritis, DVD, God, Health, Lord, Lydia, rest ministries, rheumatoid arthritis
“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” (Isaiah 54:2)
A couple of months ago I was in the school office dropping off some paperwork. I told the secretary how much I appreciated the principal and how she even stood a block away after school to help the crossing guards. I turned to leave and saw another woman sitting there at the table. She works with the special needs students. I have seen her frequently use a cane, walking very carefully with each step.
I glanced her way and then said, “You know, I appreciate you too. I know we’ve never met, but I have seen you many days, when I know you were not feeling well, yet you still have a smile for everyone.” She looked surprised and said, “I never realized anyone was watching.” I said, “Yes, I have rheumatoid arthritis and am in a lot of pain. I know how hard it is to push through it, but you inspire me. You are giving those kids a gift in allowing them to see you when you are not feeling well. You let them see that you still care about them and show up for them.”
“Wow. . .” she said, with her eyes glistening. “Thank you.”
Some of us may feel that we have little to give the people around us right now. Our days are filled with just getting ourselves through the day, so it’s hard to find any energy left to reach out to others. Yet it takes so little to make someone’s day. Our world, the “place of our tent” does not need to be small. We can pray for the Lord to enlarge the place of our tent. And then when He does, stretch those tent curtains wide open! Do not hold back! Lengthen your cords and reach out to many people. Strengthen your stakes and the relationships of those around you.
I have since had the honor of getting to know Lydia a bit better, she introduced me to her husband, and I now wave hello. Sometimes the greatest encouragement we can give someone is to simply say, “I see you, I appreciate you, I know you are making a choice to ‘stretch those curtains wide’ and that is an inspiration for me to do the same.” Try it and see what happens.
Prayer: Lord, so many people in our world feel invisible. They wonder why to even bother making the right choices when no one notices or seems to care. Help me be someone who reflects You, who can say, “I see you and I care.”
About the Author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries, which she began in 1993 after her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. She hopes to encourage church leadership to learn more ways of reaching out to those who are ill with her new Beyond Casseroles DVD, where she shares 24 tips of 3-4 minutes each about how to make a difference in the lives of those who live with illness.”
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
Can you share an instance when you told someone you noticed them? Did you tell someone thank you for something when they least expected it? How did it make you feel?
Our “Race” Is About Keeping the Faith and Enduring, Not Busy Work
28 May 2011 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Apostle Paul, Christ, God, Holy Spirit, Jerusalem, Jesus, John Piper, Second Epistle to Timothy
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:22-24)
Whenever I start to feel sorry for myself, I like to read about the apostle Paul. Being lashed, beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, endangered, sleepless, hungry and thirsty, cold and naked, facing daily pressure and anxiety, and of course the mysterious thorn in the flesh that God chose not to remove (2 Corinthians 11:24-27; 12:7-10). That was a man who knew suffering!
In this passage Paul is on his third missionary journey, but he feels the Holy Spirit is calling him to go back to Jerusalem to preach about Jesus even though he will be imprisoned. In fact, Paul believes such horrible hardships await that He will die (v. 25). I wish I could accept suffering from the Lord so willingly! But Paul wanted to finish the race and the task God gave Him more than he wanted His own life.
The Bible speaks numerous times of the Christian life as a race (Hebrews 12:1; 1 Corinthians 9:24-26; Galatians 2:2, 5:7; Philippians 2:16) or a good fight (1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 4:7). In my healthier days I think I often believed running the race or fighting the good fight meant feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, teaching Sunday School, or going on a mission trip and sharing about Jesus.
But how can someone who is chronically ill or in pain run a good race when they can’t even get out of bed?
Pastor John Piper in his book Taste and See says,
“The race is run against temptations that would make us doubt God’s goodness. It is a fight to stay satisfied in God through broken hips and lost sight and failed memory.The race can and may be run flat on your back. In fact, it may be run and fought better by the paralyzed than by the able and seemingly self-sufficient” (p. 153).
Paul tells us that the Christian life is a race of keeping the faith, not necessarily of “going” or “doing” things for Jesus. Faith in God and His goodness is how Paul could follow the Spirit and go to Jerusalem to face death, and this is how those of us who suffer with chronic illness can run the race set before us no matter how difficult.
Prayer: God, help us to always “testify to the gospel of [your] grace” even if you call us to do so from our beds.
About the Author:
Kari Essenpreis is a young wife and mother of a busy toddler. After ministering to those suffering from HIV/AIDS and living in Africa she is learning personally that pain has a purpose. She suffers from pudendal neuralgia, a rare type of pelvic nerve pain and widespread muscle pain.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
How would you define the race that God has placed you on? It is reaching out to others? Growing closer to God through study and worship? Just resting and surrendering it over to the Lord? What race has God placed you on?
Learning to Just Rest and “Be Still” Is a Constant Lesson
27 May 2011 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Amen., chronic pain, David, God, Health, prayer, Psalm, Religious text
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25-26)
In late March I was enveloped in a flare up that had already been rough for several weeks. I felt like my body was under attack. I had been watching spring bloom without me as I sat looking out the window.
One night I became so very sick that between the early hours of the morning and the time my husband woke up, I was rapidly becoming seriously ill. An ambulance was called and I vaguely remember being carried out on a stretcher as an icy rain pelted my face.
I was in the hospital for 4 days. A stomach virus that would make most people uncomfortable for a day or two, made me dehydrated and very sick. I was frightened as I realized how dangerously ill I was that first night. I was so thankful for the comforting scriptures that I had already hidden in my heart.
“. . . yet I am always with You, You hold my right hand.” Psalm 73:23
“Because You are my help I sing in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You, Your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:7-8
At this time of enforced rest I pictured myself actually resting in the shelter of His wings. It was time to. . . “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Prayer: Father teach us to hold onto You during times that are frightening. Help us to hunger for Your Word, seek Your counsel, and learn to “be still.” To know, in our innermost heart that You are, indeed, God. Amen.
About the Author:
Sandra Platt has been a pastor’s wife for 20 years, and is the mother of two wonderful young adults who are seeking God’s will. She has had fibromyalgia for 20+ years and has many other chronic pain conditions. She is so thankful for God’s strength and guidance that has never let her down. You can find Sandy in the Sunroom/profile537
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
When we are in great pain sometimes we don’t feel like finding that perfect scripture. Share with us what scripture you have found that is easy to turn to when you are in a time of trouble or fear?
What Has God Predicted To Do Through You?
26 May 2011 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Books of Samuel, God, Health, Legoland, Lord, rest ministries, rheumatoid arthritis, San Diego
“The Lord has done what He predicted through me. . .” (1 Samuel 28:17b)
In less than two weeks school is out and the summer officially begins. I have a stack of papers that include dates of camps, possible events for our family to go to, coupons for events such as the fair and Legoland, and more.
I have procrastinated on signing up my son for anything, yet time is running out. I fear that I am going to make a poor choice and something better will come along. Well, actually, my fear is more that I won’t be able to fulfill the committments I’ve made.
Living with illness is one of the most unpredictable circumstances one can find themselves in. January through March I had the most difficult three months out of 18 years of living with rheumatoid arthritis.
I changed rheumatologists and told him I needed help getting down to a lower dose of prednisone and then losing weight. These two factors could make a significant difference in many conditions I now have (osteoporosis, high blood pressure, cataracts, etc.)
Now that I am having good results of getting down 7 mgs of the steroids and losing 10 pounds so far, I am wondering if I am on a “roll” and things are looking up. Or, have I had a good run and that major flare is just below the surface, waiting to destroy my summer.
I am trying to think positive and believe I am doing well–and will continue to do so. But it’s hard. Experience has taught me that a good attitude can be helpful, but that some days it has nothing to do with how my body reacts.
When I read this verse, “The Lord has done what He predicted with me” it reminded me that it is not my body that is going to predict my life–it’s my Lord. God will do what He has predicted through me. My body may flare. I may face challenges or even disabiling flares this summer. Or I may not. Regardless, God has already predicted what the summer holds. Worrying about it will not change anything, but living fully dependent on God will change me.
Prayer: Lord, help me to surrender each day over to You and have a willing heart to face whatever it holds. Allow me the find peace in knowing that you have already predicted what You will do through me, so I need not worry about what may or may not happen.
About the Author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and she has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since 1993. She lives in San Diego with her husband and 8-year-old son.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
What emotions does it stir up in you to know that the Lord will do what He has already predicted through you? How does this factor into the decisions you make or may worry about?
Therefore, I Have Hope
25 May 2011 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Bible, Book of Lamentations, christian encouragement, chronic, chronic illness, chronic pain, compassion, daily chronic pain illness devotionals, God, Jeremiah, Melbourne, pain, short inspirational devotionals, The Sunroom
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 2:22-23)
Recently I’ve been to consult a specialist I haven’t had any dealings with for nearly 10 years. We discovered early in the consultation that he didn’t even know–about what to me–is the major source of my pain. When I had consulted him before, it was in relation to something that had only developed around that time, something that was just a consequence of the original injury, but at that time, an acute problem that needed to be dealt with.
It’s been a long time since I’ve had to re-tell what happened in the accidents I was involved in and even what types of treatment had been tried. It’s just something I’ve learned to accept as part of my life for now, and while the pain is constant, I have become “used to it.”
Going back over what had happened was confronting and it brought back some of the feelings that had been so much of my life in those early years. It was pretty tough back then.
I heard a preacher describe the book of Lamentations as “the most depressing book in the Bible,” but he also pointed out that in the middle of the book there is a passage that contains the above verses which hold so much hope for us.
Before this, Jeremiah writes:
“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope” (v. 19-21).
Because of who God is and His great love for us, all that we remember with such pain and bitterness, and even the pain we continue to feel, is overshadowed by His compassion, that gives us a fresh start every morning.
Prayer: Father, life may still hold a lot of pain for me, but I want to say with Jeremiah, that Your compassion and all You do for me, means I can still say, “therefore I have hope.” Help me to live in that hope. Amen.
About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful for the difference God makes in her life, and the lessons He teaches her, as she lives with chronic back pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, and photography, and to travel when she is able. You can contact her in the Sunroom.
What is it that inspires you to have hope each morning? What gets you out of bed? A warm mug of coffee, a little one pulling off the covers, a pet who cries to go outside? Tell us about it below in the comments section.
Why Does God Heal Us Of One Condition, But Not Another?
24 May 2011 5 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, crohn's disease, disease, God, Health, Inflammatory bowel disease, Ohio
“For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” (James 1:3)
About a year and a half ago I was stricken with a new malady. For about six weeks I suffered terribly from arthritis. I could hardly get up from the couch because my knees hurt so badly, and each morning was a terrible challenge just to get out of bed.
My hands and feet, my elbows and knees–they suffered from terrible joint pain and swelling. My family doctor told me I needed to go to a specialist. I’d read that those suffering from Crohn’s disease also often suffered from arthritis.
I felt like I was in an impossible situation. My chronic fatigue syndrome was a daily challenge, and my Crohn’s disease had steadily gotten worse. I had a long talk with the Lord. The short of it was that I felt there was far too much already on my plate to add arthritis into the mix.
Evidently, the Lord agreed with me, because just before I was to go to the specialist, my arthritis disappeared as quickly as it had come. I was both shocked and incredibly relieved, as well as immensely grateful to God for delivering me from this terrible affliction.
I have said that God does not allow more to come our way than we can bear, and my experience has proven this. For you see, God knew that in the next year I would become deathly ill from the Crohn’s disease, and having arthritis on top of that would indeed have been too much for me.
Why didn’t He heal me of all my illnesses? Or why doesn’t He heal others of their illnesses? I honestly don’t know. What I do know is that God will not let more come our way than we can endure. His grace is always with us in affliction. And He sometimes delivers us out of affliction.
Prayer: Dear Lord, whether You deliver us in, or out of affliction, all praise be to Your Holy Name! Amen.
About The Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. He has found the Lord kind and gracious through many afflictions and trials.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
Has God ever healed you of one illness, and yet left you with another? Or perhaps healed you of side effects or painful symptoms? Tell us your story.
If Sheep Can Surf… What Are Under Our Waters?
23 May 2011 1 Comment
in Devotionals2
“‘I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down,’ declares the Sovereign Lord.” (Ezekiel 34:15)
God will tend His sheep and have them lie down. When I saw this video (below) of a sheep surfing I couldn’t help but think of the Lord having a good laugh. If sheep can surf, imagine what God can do with us, His sheep!
The word “tend” can be defined in many ways: to take care of; minister to; watch over; look after; attend to; to be in charge of; to manage; to be on the alert to keep from something going wrong.
Each day of our lives God tends to us in all of these ways, for example, caring for us by sending a small sign of His presence when we feel alone; causing us to be late for an appointment so we avoid a car accident. Even those small inconveniences we sigh over in frustration are ordained by God for our own protection.
The second half of the scripture says, “and have them lie down.” We may all get a giggle out of watching a sheep on a surfboard, but I imagine that sometimes this is how God must see us. We are flying high on what is a temporary happiness when underneath the wave is volatile and could sweep us under. We believe we are somewhat in control, when really God controls our oceans and when that next big wave splashes us.
When the Lord looks down upon us, His sheep, does he see a bunch of us trying to hold onto a surf board and grasp the materialistic things or the superficial relationships?
This is when God swoops into our lives and makes us lie down. We may feel a nudge that it is time to take a sabbatical from social media; perhaps it’s time to stop treading the water of a busy schedule and just take care of ourselves. It may even come as a exasperation of our disease, forcing us to get some bed rest.
Surfing is fun (or so I’ve been told). We all need time to grab onto a board and catch a wave, to feel some adrenaline in life. But when it’s time to lie down, listen to the Lord and don’t fight it. He’s tending to His sheep. Let Him care for you.
Prayer: Lord, help me know when I am supposed to be brave and do something adventurous and when I am supposed to just rest in you and lie down.
About the Author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and lives with rheumatoid arthritis. She has a husband and son who both love their skateboards, but so far, no one in her house has attempted the surf boards.
When was the last time you felt God was tending to you? What do you do to try to search out his tenderness when you don’t feel Him tending to you?
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