The Difference Between Life in a ‘Waiting’ Room and a ‘Living’ Room
30 Jun 2011 2 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Bible, chronic, God, Health, Jesus, Melbourne, Religion & Spirituality, The Sunroom
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.” (Phil 3: 20,21)
There was a humorous British comedy on when I was a child called “Waiting For God” that told the story of a very bright, but crotchety lady and a very strange man who spent most of his time fantasizing about being someone, or somewhere else. They were living in a home for elderly residents along with others who were seemingly waiting for their lives to end.
While they may have been supposed to just sit back and accept whatever treatment they were given, these two would stand up and speak out against being treated like old, useless people without any opinions. It was funny, but when I watched some old episodes recently, I saw some other parallels.
For those of us with chronic illness, it can seem sometimes like we spend so much time looking forward to the time when we will no longer have to deal with these bodies, when we will be given the new bodies as promised to us in the Bible. That’s a wonderful prospect and offers us so much hope.
In the meantime, we need to wait and that may mean that we continue to experience the pain or sickness that we do right now. Just as those old people in the comedy were often trapped by physical or mental, limitations and waiting to see out their final days with no control over many of the decisions being made on their behalf, we too are waiting for God to fulfil the promises He gave us, without knowing when that will happen.
I don’t want to be just waiting if there are still things God wants me to do.
Prayer: Father God, help us to use the days we have now, not just be hoping for those wonderful days You’ve promised us. Help us to make the most of the waiting as we trust in You.
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.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
Do we just sit and wait, looking forward to the time when things will be better? Are we still making the most of the days we have now, or just waiting for things to change?
The Confusion of Chronic Illness
29 Jun 2011 2 Comments
in Devotionals2
“They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble” (Jeremiah 31:9).
The fatigue and squeezing feeling around my heart had now been there for two weeks. So the questions began. Should I call my doctor? If so, do I call my family doctor or one of my specialists? Is this a new symptom of one of my current chronic illnesses or is this a new symptom that needs to be evaluated separately? Is this a side effect of one of the medications? How long do I wait till I call a doctor? And on and on . . .
Those of us who grapple with one or more chronic illnesses ask these questions on a regular basis. As a result, confusion can reign and we end up shifting our focus entirely to our new symptoms or to our illness, sapping our joy, peace, and much needed energy.
What we often forget is our answers are only a prayer or a Bible verse away. We need to pray specifically for answers to the questions we have, and we need to keep reading our Bible daily as God often answers us there, with a Scripture we may have read many times, but suddenly, one that has new meaning to us.
If you are married, your spouse also can be a treasure chest of wisdom because he/she lives with you and your illness daily.
In the verse from Jeremiah above, God was reaching toward His people, encouraging them that He would restore them, and they would not stumble. But He instructed them to pray as He brought them back.
We also need to pray as we ask for restoration of our bodies, minds, and spirits. Although God may not tell us specifically whether to call the doctor if a new symptom appears, He promises to walk with us through the process and to lead us beside streams of water on a level path where we will not stumble.
Prayer: God, help us to trust that You will guide us through the many tears and the confusion that comes with chronic illness. When we have questions, remind us to stop and pray, knowing You will bring us on a path where we will not stumble. Amen.
About the Author:
Jackie Confalone lives in Pennsylvania with her “groom” of 30 years, Gary. They have 2 grown children. She “lives” with three invisible illnesses, ulcerative colitis, endometriosis, and late stage lyme disease, and each of her family members has at least one chronic illness. She feels blessed that God has used her experiences to help others with chronic illnesses. She has started posting some writings at http://jackieconfalone.wordpress.com/.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
Where do you find answers when you are confused about a new symptom that appears in your life of chronic illness?
Devotions Back Wednesday!
28 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2
Just a note to apologize for a couple of days of technical difficulties posting devotionals. They will be back Wednesday!
Why Withdrawing Can Be a Healthy Step When Coping With Illness
26 Jun 2011 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: christian, God, Jesus, Lord, rest ministries, rheumatoid arthritis, Satan, Talk radio
“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” (Matthew 14:13)
I was recently sharing with a friend how exhausted I am lately, coping with some harsh flares of my rheumatoid arthritis. “I love people,” I explained. “But when I am in so much pain I need space. I don’t want to talk to anyone. I don’t want to answer the phone. I don’t want anyone in my house, even the housekeeper. And that feels so selfish! I don’t want to be that person! But I shouldn’t have to leave my own house to get some quiet.”
“Lisa,” she calmly said. “What did Jesus do when he was tired and needed to find renewal?”
“He withdrew” I said.
“Yes,” she said quietly.
Oh.
What does “withdrawing” mean to you? We all have read how Jesus went “away” quite frequently. There were times when it was just a stone’s throw away from his disciples (Luke 22:41), and other times He went to the mountains or desert. But even Jesus knew there were times he would literally need a boat in order to escape the demands of life to be able to talk with His Father.
Connecting with God takes time. I’ve learned that for me, those 8-minute little pre-packaged devotionals are comforting, but they don’t get me to the deep soul-quenching talk I need to have with God to feel fulfilled. And sometimes to get this we need to “go.” Go can mean changing the lighting, putting on some music, or stacking up some cozy pillows. It can also mean getting in your car and just driving a bit, or pulling over and looking at the sunset or a hody of water.
And what if we feel guilty about withdrawing in order to grow close to God? That is Satan telling us lies: “Real Christians should be able to connect with God anywhere, any time,” he says. “You are being selfish asking for that time to yourself. Your family needs you. You already spent time today ‘resting’ and now you need time to be with God. A good parent wouldn’t put her kids last.”
Do you hear those lies?
So know without a doubt that I love to hear from everyone here at Rest Ministries. I cherish your emails. You keep me going each day. But if you are like me sometimes feel like life’s demands make you feel like there are not enough hours in the day to be everything to everyone. The best place to start is just being a child of the most Holy God. Everything else will fall into place.
Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that withdrawing from the world to spend time with just You is a holy thing and not something I should feel guilty about!
About the Author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries, lives with her 8-year-old son and husband, and deals with rheumatoid arthritis and all it’s symptoms and side effects. It’s through her ministry she is able to keep getting out of bed each day, but she’s learning it’s occasionally okay to put the covers over her head.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
When you take time to withdraw where do you go? Do you go somewhere or just have a retreat in your own home? Do you turn off the phone? Avoid the internet?
Hitting Rock Bottom
25 Jun 2011 1 Comment
in Devotionals2
“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire, he set my feet on a rock. . . ” (Psalm 40:2)
I have always been drawn to science and geology. I am intrigued by the elements around me. This may explain my recent career move to open a family gem mining business to teach others the local geology of the area we live in.
In the discovery of God’s perfect design I stand amazed at the wonderment of His creations. Every facet of life and matter; from complexity to simplicity, co-exist in our ecological system, because of a God who makes no mistakes.
When I home-schooled, preparing science curriculum for my child; I often prepared worksheets with scientific laws and problem thinking scenarios to challenge his thinking.
EXAMPLE:
Thr Law of Gravity: what goes up, must come down.Funny thought:
I am a walking example of this “Law”! When I go “up” I must come down too.
Waddling through my life with a persona of self-sufficiency, I often pushed myself to take on more and more responsibilities. I saw myself as a Super-MOM, Super-Christian, Super-Wife, and Super-Worker; believing the whole while that I was pleasing my Lord, and setting an example for my family and church as a “DO-ER.”
My life was on a delicate balancing scale, to which I dared not tip. As long as my schedule was perfected, I could reach the unrealistic goals that I had mentally set for myself.
When the invading alien of illness decided to penetrate my “balanced program” it inevitability lead to a major crash! One that has since changed my perception of myself and my role in life.
- I fell hard landing on what is referred to as “Hitting Rock Bottom.”
- I was burned-out and crippled!
- I found myself in a situation that self-sufficiency could not address.
The ironic part however is that the “rock” on the bottom, on which I landed, was none other than Christ himself. From this “rock” I was able to rebuild my life, not as the “self-sufficient” do-er that I was but as the helpless vessel that I really am. As one who had to depend on a loving Lord.
My life is richer as I rely on Christ to get me through. It was a hard lesson to learn to be reminded that God is in control and that I have no control at all. This lead me to a more loving relationship with my Lord.
God holds me up. I can-not hold Him up. Therefore, my plan to please by doing it all was actually a destructive course for me to travel.
When a Christian “hits rock bottom” we can find that Christ is the “firm” foundation from which to re-build.
If we except the calling of the Lord to fulfill but one objective in our lives than we have served God faithfully and well.
My science lesson for today?
What goes up must come down. If we continue to hold ourselves up too high, we will eventually fall. However, if we rely on God to do the holding for us and offer up our needs to Him in prayer then all that will come down, will be a fuller and blessing filled life.
Can you build your foundation today on the “Rock of Salvation?” Remember, the Lord will never leave you or forsake you.
“Therefore. . . everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24)
Dear Lord: Be our ROCK! Show us how to rebuild on Your firm foundation when we feel as though we have hit Rock-bottom! Give us the strength to carry-on even in our darkest hour! We love you Lord! Amen!
About the Author:
Deborah Farmer is a part-time writer and small business owner who has felt as though she has hit Rock-bottom many times. She Praises the Lord today that He has shown her the Firm foundation through Him in which to rebuild!
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
Have you found ways to rebuild your life upon the Rock of the Lord? Have you felt as though you have hit Rock-bottom? Has your life seemed Up only to crash right back down?
What To Do When Life Seems Exceptionally Hard
24 Jun 2011 2 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Africa, Christianity, chronic, God, Moses, Psalm, Pudendal nerve entrapment, Religion and Spirituality
“I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?” (Psalm 77:11-12)
Life is hard and it seems to keep getting harder for our family! Due to my health condition, my husband is forced to work a job with low pay and bad hours. He had the chance to lead a mission trip overseas, but he has been denied the time off because it falls during the company’s peak sales season.
It is easy when dealing with chronic illness to “[think] about the former days” (v. 5) that were so much better in comparison to the present hardships and wonder, “will [God] never show His favor again?” (v.7). I have often said to my husband, “I understand the Bible says this life will be hard, but why does it have to be so hard?!”
What do we do when we, like the psalmist, have prayed, but it seems like God doesn’t intervene and we continue to suffer? How can we keep our spirit from growing faint?
After lamenting over his suffering, the psalmist purposefully begins to remember God’s hand at work in years past (v 10-20). It’s like all of a sudden the psalmist stops throwing himself a pity party and says, “Yes, life is hard, but I am going to meditate on how faithful You have been to Your people, God”.
He remembers Joseph, and how through many hardships God used him to redeem His people. He is encouraged by Moses, the great exodus, and God’s guidance through the desert for 40 years. And He is awed by God’s majesty and power in the parting of the Red Sea.
We must make a conscious effort as well not to sit around feeling sorry for ourselves and instead meditate on what is true. Sure, life has been hard and things may only get harder in this life, but “What god is so great as our God?”
Prayer: God help me to focus on what is true; that you really are great! Help me to praise You even when I don’t feel like I can praise you anymore.
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 do you keep your spirit from growing faint despite living with a chronic illness? What are some practical ways we can take our minds off ourselves and focus on the truth even when we don’t want to? For example, my husband gave me small cards with things such as names of friends, qualities I want in my life (love, joy, etc), and missionaries to pray and praise God for so when I became worried I could pull out those cards and focus my mind on the things of Philippians 4:8.
Does God Provide When We Need It?
23 Jun 2011 2 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Alfred Lord Tennyson, christian, chronic, God, Google, Health, illness, Ulysses
For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2Corintians 12:10 b)
Doesn’t make much sense does it? Yet, God helped me to understand that verse a bit better last night.
I was watching a rerun of an old TV show when I heard the main character utter words originally written by Alfred Lord Tennyson in 1833.
As I listened to those words, I knew I needed to read them again.
So I did my “Google” thing and found the poem “Ulysses.”
Here is the quote:
“Tho` much is taken, much abides and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven that which we are, we are
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
For me, that is an apt description of living with chronic illness.
Much has been taken from us. No, we are not what we were in days gone by. Yet, in our weaknesses, we find our strength. We find our strength in God. Despite those weaknesses, we can to continue “to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.” We may come close to yielding–but through His mercy and grace–we can hold on–even if it has to be one minute at a time.
God does provide what we need when we need it.
To be so deeply touched by something written in 1833, aired on a TV show I never saw that ran in 2004 and “happened” to be shown on TV on a night when I was watching? As I said. . . God provides.
Prayer: Father God, Thank you that while we may not be what we once were, You continue to carve strength out of weakness. Amen.
Has God used your illness to find comfort in His strength? How has God encouraged you to continue to strive and seek and find. . . and not yield?
About the author:
deni 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 EncouragingWords@me.com. Her webpage is http://www.pathwaysforchange.com/Encouragement.
Holding Onto Hope
20 Jun 2011 3 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: christian, God, Lord, Melbourne, Psalm, Religion and Spirituality, Sermon, The Sunroom
“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.” (Psalm 25:4,5)
Our church has recently been doing a series of sermons on “Hope” and each week as they put up the notes for the sermon, the following statement appeared:
Hope is the confident expectation that:
- things will improve
- there will be resources to cope
- tomorrow will be better than today
I’m not sure if that’s a quote from something or not, but the statement is certainly a good definition of hope. Even more, for us as Christians, it is The Hope that we hold on to–as the verse above from Psalms states, our hope is in God our Saviour all day long.
For the last few months my pain has made it difficult for me to be in church and I have to admit that seeing those words each week, didn’t always leave me feeling grateful to God for the hope I have in Him. While I know it’s true, in the midst of my own problems, it was sometimes hard to see.
My situation didn’t seem to be improving; I was concerned about financing my treatment, or being able to continue to work; when it looked like it would take time to improve, if that even happened–how could I feel confident that tomorrow would be better than today?
When I become conscious of thoughts like that, I need to go back to the Bible and the hope it gives me to keep on facing each day.
I don’t know how God will bring me through today or tomorrow and I don’t know what my future health situation will be, but I do know that I can trust God with all my concerns and I’m confident because I know He will always be with me. . . all day long.
Prayer: Father, give us all the confidence in You, that we need to continue to face whatever our futures hold. Help us to focus on the hope we have in You, instead of the problems around us. 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.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
What helps you to focus on hope, when circumstances seem overwhelming and hope-less?
In Honor of the Men in My Life
19 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: Beyblade, Family, Father, Father figure, Fathers Day, home, Lord, rest ministries
“A foolish child is a father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof.” (Proverbs 19:13)
As we awake this morning to Father’s Day I’d like to take the opportunity to give a shout out to the fathers in our lives. You may have a dad who is no longer on this side of heaven or you may not be married. Today, though, I would like to say thank you to all the fathers who serve each day in a variety of ways.
I am blessed to have both a dad and a husband who exemplify not just fatherhood but being a daddy. To my dad who painstakingly worked to get my playhouse just right with wood paneling and carpet when I was just a little girl; to my husband who rolled over this morning, got out of bed and called Walmart at 7 AM to see if they got Beyblade arenas in yesterday (my son awoke him at 6:45 AM saying, “Dad. Get up! Call Walmart.”) To my dad who trusted me enough to teach me how to drive–and let me use his truck to do it! And to my husband who has done the “go to bed” routine with my son nearly every night of his life.
And in the midst of my illness, to both of these men who have sat in waiting rooms while I had surgery or have pushed me in a wheelchair so I could still participate in family events when I was unable to walk long distances. One walked me down the aisle on my wedding day and one took me as his wife. I am blessed to have two amazing men in my life.
Are they perfect? Uh . . . nah. We have all our faults, myself included. But I am choosing not to be my “father’s ruin” or my husband’s “constant drip” of a wife.Even when my physical pain is extreme and I am wondering how I will get through the day, both of these men (and my son too) will go out of their way to do whatever they can to try to make my life a little easier.
Happy Father’s Day to all of the men out there who go the extra mile for the women and children in their life.
Prayer: Lord, help me remember to acknowledge the men in my life who help serve my needs and those of my children. Remind me to say thank you!
About the Author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for eighteen years.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
What is one of your happiest memories about your father or husband, or the special “father figure” in your life?
Phantom of The Illness
18 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: chronic, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Conditions and Diseases, God, Health, illness, Lord, Pennsylvania
“For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 116: 8-9).
My husband calls them phantoms. No, not “Phantom of the Opera.” The dictionary defines phantom as “a nonexistent person or thing, something elusive.” Phantoms can also be called unfulfilled dreams or lost opportunities. For those of us who have or live with someone who has chronic illness, they are our “if only” moments which often cause us to live life with regrets.
My husband was diagnosed 25 years ago with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS). We had two young children, ages 4 and 1, and I really wanted to have a third child. Prior to his diagnosis, we had no idea what disease was beginning to rob his body of his health and whether bringing a third child into our family was wise. We didn’t pray about decisions at that time, and we decided that we would not have a third child.
That is one of the phantoms, or unfulfilled dreams, I live with. Our children are now young adults pursuing their own lives. There are days when I think several times about that phantom–the third child. What I would be doing, where I would be, how my role as a mother would be different. If I play it out too long, I find myself in a state of sadness, regret, and sometimes depression.
Some of you may have elusive phantoms such as having a different house, having more income, or having a better career.
God does not want us to live a life of regrets wondering “if only”. . . (you fill in the blank). He wants us to be in the land of the living. He wants us to use our pain and struggles to encourage, reach out, and pray for others with chronic illness as only we can. He wants us to trust His wisdom, to ask Him to remove the phantoms created in our human minds, and to look for His many provisions in our lives.
Today, I know the decision not to have a third child was directed by God, even though we weren’t pursuing His answer. All four of our family members live with at least one chronic illness, and God knew we wouldn’t have the physical energy or financial resources to support more than the family He designed for us. Yes, my heart sometimes still aches, but God is in the business of healing the brokenhearted and binding our wounds.
Prayer: Lord, please help us to focus on what You have provided in our lives, not what has been taken away. Heal the pain and heartache of unfulfilled dreams, and show us a purpose in our pain that will be to Your glory. Amen.
About the Author:
Jackie Confalone lives in Pennsylvania with her “groom” of 30 years, Gary. They have 2 grown children. She “lives” with three invisible illnesses, ulcerative colitis, endometriosis, and late stage lyme disease, and each of her family members has at least one chronic illness. She feels blessed that God has used her experiences to help others with chronic illnesses. She has started posting some writings at http://jackieconfalone.wordpress.com/.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
How many phantoms or unfulfilled dreams do you have in your life as a result of your chronic illness? How would your life be different if you gave those to God, asked him to heal your pain, and see His provisions in your life?
Recent Comments