Can I Laugh Without Guilt?
31 Jul 2011 5 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Book of Genesis, chronic, Conditions and Diseases, God, Grocery store, Health, Laughter, rheumatoid arthritis
“Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, ‘I did not laugh.’ But he said, ‘Yes, you did laugh.’” Genesis 8:15)
Have you ever had a day when you felt like you could get out of bed, take a shower, eat breakfast and still make some plans for the day? For those who live with chronic illness these days may seem too far between, but when we encounter one of them it’s exciting. . . until we begin to feel guilty.
Our neighbor questions how we can be too bad off to work, and yet we are out pulling a few weeds in the front yard. At the grocery store you run into your child’s teacher who says, “Little Tommy said you’ve been ill, but you look great!” Your husband answers the phone and tells your girlfriend you decided to run to a couple of garage sales—the same girlfriend you cancelled lunch plans with two days arlier because you could hardly get out of bed.
We all need more laughs. We all need more joy in our lives; and yet sometimes when it comes, we are too afraid to laugh. Like Sarah we say, “I did not laugh. I did not enjoy that too much. I did not have a moment of feeling good, because that will cause skepticism among those around me.” When we feel good, we downplay it so that it will even out with all the times we say we are “fine” when we aren’t.
Marilyn Meberg writes, “We can reinsert humor and joy into our lives even though factors that deplete us of cheer can’t be changed. Some of the ‘stuff’ of life is mundane and draining while other parts of life are enormous and hard. Whatever the size of the difficulty, cheer is waiting to be discovered—sometimes unexpectedly, like a chocolate chip in the raisin bran.”
I’ve denied fun in my life. I understand. But yet, I encourage you to throw caution to the wind. Laugh! “Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me,” (Genesis 21:6). You don’t owe anyone an explanation for you ability to pull a weed or two.
We don’t have to understand why we feel decent some days and awful others. When someone says, “I thought you weren’t doing so well, but you look great,” and you feel called to respond, just say, “Isn’t it incredible? I can hardly believe that I am out and about like this. I decided to enjoy it while I could!” Invite everyone to laugh with you.
About the Author:
Lisa Copen lives with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. She is gradually learning the process of only relying on what God thinks, and not other people.
Note: We are repeating some of our favorite devotionals this week from past years. This was originally written by Lisa in 2001.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
When have you experienced someone doubting the seriousness because you were “caught” doing something fun? What was your reaction?
Finding Flowers in The Flaws
30 Jul 2011 7 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Father God, Flower, God, Heavenly Father, Lord, Plant, Shopping, Water
“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever–do not abandon the work of Your hands.” (Psalm 138:8)
This season there are clusters of beautiful golden wildflowers blooming along many roadsides. They remind me of a story I heard recently about a cracked pot.
A woman owned several clay pots which she used to carry water from the well to her home each day. One pot was cracked and leaked, losing half of its water on the walk home. The pot became very discouraged and finally told the woman how useless and discouraged it felt because of its flaws. The woman said that the next day she wanted the pot to notice the beautiful flowers blooming along the roadside.
The pot did, and thought they were lovely, but still felt like a failure. The woman then told the pot that she knew it had racks and flaws, yet she hose to keep it. She planted the flowers along the way, knowing that each day the racked pot would water them on the walk home. The lovely flowers were there because of the pots’ flaws.
I see similarities here in my own life. I look at other people and am sharply aware of the racks and flaws in my body. The woman in the story did not choose to discard the pot, or even seal the racks with mud or lay. It’s very flaws were accomplishing her purpose. So it is with those of us who feel “flawed.”
God is using us just as we are for His purposes. Some days He may allow us to see buds of our influence, but many days we may have no idea of the flowers we are watering along the roads we travel. Yet God knows, and one day all will be made plain. Until then, we are fulfilling His purpose here on earth, and He will never abandon us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am the work of Your hands–beautiful in Your sight, created for a purpose, and never left alone. Help me to accept my flaws and imperfections, that through them You may bring blessing to others and glory to Yourself. 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 contact her at spindler@cox.net.
Note: We are repeating some of our favorite devotionals this week from past years. This was originally written by Bronlynn in 2009.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
How have your “flaws” made you even more beautiful in God’s sight?
Ministering To Others In the Midst of Our Strife
29 Jul 2011 6 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Christ, chronic pain, God, Jesus, Ohio, Passion, Psalms, Second Epistle to the Corinthians
“Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble.” (Psalm 41:1)
How can we who are afflicted, disabled, in chronic pain and struggling with our ailments possibly be of any help to someone else? How can we minister to others with all of our own troubles? It is quite tempting to simply say that we cannot, we have enough problems of our own without taking on anymore. But I think
that we are more uniquely qualified to help others in ways that more energetic, healthy, physically fit people cannot.
There are various ways we can help. First we can empathize with others who are going through trials and afflictions because we have been in their shoes. We can honestly say that on some level we do understand what it is to be tried and tested, as we have been in our own afflictions.
We can also give them the Good News that God is helping us to endure and overcome and continues to help us overcome on a daily basis. Just as God has helped us, He will help others.
We can share specific things we have learned through our trials. Some people are just beginning the process of getting disability benefits, those familiar with this process can help them. Others whom have been divorced from their marriage partners, quite often due to their disability can help them.
There is really no limit to the ways we can help each other, whatever you are going through, you can be sure some saint of God has been there before.
Prayer: Lord God help us to help others, even as You have come to our aid time and time again.
“Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” (2 Corinthians 1: 3-5)
About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his wife and daughter. Chronic fatigue syndrome has been histhorn in the flesh for more than a decade, but God has been there to help him throughout his affliction.
Note: We are repeating some of our favorite devotionals this week from past years. This was originally written by Karlton in 2001.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
What ways have you discovered you can reach out to people now that you better understand pain, then before you lived with a chronic illness?
My Heart’s Cry
28 Jul 2011 5 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: chronic, Conditions and Diseases, God, Health, Jesus, Lord, Psalm, Southern Indiana
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
I recently had a long bout of kidney stones and kidney infections. The physical stress of that has, of course, made the fibromyalgia and other chronic illnesses flare up as wehttp://restministries.com/wp-admin/media-upload.php?post_id=10250&type=image&TB_iframe=1ll. I feel like I have been sick a long
time! It really has been hard, and I will admit, I complained.
It is only natural I suppose. Pain hurts. And pain that lasts a long time is more than a little hard to take.
It wears on all of my being; physically, emotionally and spiritually. So, my heart gets discouraged and my mouth then will complain.
One day I got sick of hearing myself complain. My husband would ask how I was doing and I would complain. My daughter asked me in the morning if I was feeling better yet, and I would answer in the negative. What a wet blanket to be around! I don’t want to be a self absorbed complainer!
How can I be truthful, yet still have an uplifting attitude? The answer is by keeping my heart’s eyes on the Lord Jesus. By praying this prayer every day. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, My Rock, and My Redeemer.” If I do not allow my heart to complain, then my mouth won’t either.
Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” If my heart is the wellspring of my life, then I want it to stay pure!
Psalm 51:10 tells us to pray, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” I want to remain steadfast in my walk with God. So, while yes, I am in pain, my heart can remain steadfast and true. With my eyes on Jesus, pain is put in it’s place!
Psalm 57:2, 10 reminds me, “I cry out to God Most High, to God Who fulfills His purpose for me. For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” You see, I can dwell on the pain. Or I can dwell on the wonderful love and faithfulness of the Father. It all depends on my focus.
And Psalm 73:26 says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
That promise says it all!
Prayer: Lord, remind me to keep my focus on You. To keep that steadfast spirit, to discipline myself to have thoughts that are pure.
About the Author:
Sandra Platt is a Pastor’s wife who lives in Southern Indiana with her two children and two precious spoiled cats. She loves reading and cross stitching. She has fibromyalgia and other chronic illnesses. The Scripture today has become her hearts cry.
Note: We are repeating some of our favorite devotionals this week from past years. This was originally written by Sandra in 2006.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
When your thoughts are tempted to be impure and focus on the negative, even given a voice so that you are in a complaining mood, what do you do to get back on track and keep your thoughts on who God is and not what your life lacks?
When We Feel Abandoned, Rely on Faith Not Feelings
27 Jul 2011 5 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Ankylosing Spondylitis, Atrial Fibrillation, christian, chronic, chronicpain, God, Lord, Psalm
“You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.” (Psalm 139:5)
Have you ever felt alone? I mean completely alone.
Abandoned. Lost. Forlorn.
I know that the isolating feelings that comes from facing my challenges sometimes leaves me feeling as if I am in the depths of some tremendous void. I have felt that no one understands. I have felt left behind as family and friends can go and do things I cannot. Their lives are moving forward. Mine is, at best, at a standstill. That leaves me feeling completely and utterly alone and often misunderstood.
I have had misguided folks tell me I need to look for sin in my life. I have had others say that I simply don’t have enough faith. To be honest, those types of comments make me want to run and hide.
Then I read a verse like this one. God has me enclosed. He is in front of me. He is behind me. He has His hand on me. I may feel as if I am alone and lost, but God tells me that He is always with me–and not only with me – but surrounding me, enclosing me, holding me. I cannot get away from Him, even if I tried.
The Psalm continues:
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.(v. 7-10)
Oh, dear reader, how I need these words. I need to know God is not only “out there” somewhere–but that He is here. . . now. . .holding me, loving me, protecting me. Ever present. He offers that to You, as well.
Prayer: Father God, I praise You that You are an ever present help. That in good times, in bad times, and in the in-between times: You are here. I fervently pray, Lord, that each person looking upon these words, will look to You for all you have to give us when we abandon ourselves to You. Amen.
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 challenges (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 words might be encouraging to others as they walk the path of chronic illness. deni can be reached at http://www.pathwaysforchange.com/Encouragement
When you feel abandoned by God what do you do? Do you talk to someone, get angry at those around you? Go to church to look for the feeling of God’s presence?
Note: We are repeating some of our favorite devotionals this week from past years. This was originally written by deni in 2009.
If We Share About Our Illness, Do We Need to Listen to the Response of Advice?
26 Jul 2011 4 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: chronic, Conditions and Diseases, God, Health, illness, Lord, rest ministries, rheumatoid arthritis
“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.” (Hebrews 5:11)
When we live with illness, it is a natural part of the grieving process for some people with illness to speak out loud about what they are going through with their disease, the symptoms they are experiencing, and the emotional trials through it all.
When people ask, “How are you feeling?” and we answer them, they naturally want to fix it and so they don’t hold back from sharing their advice. The advice may be about what we could do to prevent our illness from getting worse, how we should treat it so that it will be cured or go into remission. We may just be told what we have done wrong in the past that has now caused us to suffer from our condition.
None of it is easy to hear. We may hear what they have to say and feel the bitterness and frustration growing as they tell us their opinion.
“I didn’t ask for your opinion!” we want to scream. But in a way we did.
We must recognize that people are usually fixers. When we present our condition and experience to someone, they hear it as a problem that must be fixed. They may have a great deal of interest in truly helping us find that path to wellness, or they may just share what they heard on the morning news about eating blueberries helping your immune system.
Regardless, they are just looking for any kind of solution that may benefit us.
Like the scripture above, we may feel we have much to say about our illness, but people don’t try to understand, they just want to offer simple solutions to an extremely complex solution. I have learned, however, if we put ourselves out there, if I make myself vulnerable enough to share about my struggle, I must at least allow the person I tell to respond. I can simply say, “Thank you for caring.” We do not necessarily have to run out and buy the “potion” they recommend, but I owe them the opportunity to speak (and offer their advice), since I have spoken to them about my problem.
There are those we are closest to who we can say, “What I really need is someone to listen.” But when you tell the gal beside you in the grocery store line why you are buying soy milk, you need to smile when she tells you how to cure your disease and not bite her head off.
I have been on the end of many conversations with loved ones who have called me and poured out their problems with and concerns about their lives. And then I have been told they don’t need my two-cents when I try to respond.
It’s a very frustrating experience, and I have done my best to apply it to my own situation. I am careful who I share information about my illness with, knowing if I dish out my problems, I owe it to the person to at least acknowledge their solutions.
Lord, help me to be the kind of person who is aware of the needs that people have. Sometimes they want to hear another perspective than their own, and some days they just want to talk. Let me be conscious of their needs and not my own needs.
About the Author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and the author of Mosaic Moments: Devotions for the Chronically Ill. She has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for eighteen years and currently having a great deal of difficulty with her right hand that has become quite deformed and not opening.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
Have you ever had someone give you a great deal of advice that you didn’t necessarily want? How did you respond? Do you wish you had responded differently?
For Those Who Hope In The Lord
25 Jul 2011 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: chronicpain, Father God, God, Heavenly Father, Isaiah, Lord, North Carolina, pain
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
Once upon a time, I was considered physically strong for my size. I could carry two small children, manage to bring in a bag of groceries, and bring in the mail–all at once without collapsing. I could clean the whole house, do all the running of errands around town, and manage supper–all without a nap. I even recall putting in a whole days work without having to take medication. Though not so long ago, it sometimes seem as though it was a thousand years ago.
Pain and suffering now require me to seek help with the chores, and take naps when I am weak, and seek medical attention when the symptoms of illness get the better of me. I feel so frail and useless.
Those who have chronic pain can identify with my story.
It seems some days I cannot find the strength to even get out of bed. Those are the days that I rely on scriptures to see me through. This reminds me that I am loved, and that somehow I can carry on.
Oh, what a promise, to hope in the Lord and to find strength in Him. I know that the Lord can renew my strength. Sometimes my physical strength may be weak, I can grow strong in my faith just by renewing the hope of our Lord’s promises.
Oh, to strengthen my faith that I may soar, so strongly with Him I go weary no more. My spirit grows stronger, yet my body grows weak; I desire His mercy, His countenance I’ll seek.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You today for the promise of your strength. We know our faith can soar as eagles if we remain faithful to You and Your word in our times of distress and pain and for that we are so blessed! Amen!
About the Author:
Deborah (Debbi) Farmer lives in North Carolina with her family and she loves to write and rock-hunt (when she can function well enough to do these things). She suffers from various medical conditions, including fibromylagia.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
Do you dear child struggle with what you were compared to what you are now? Have you found ways to cope through the pain? Are you still struggling to accept help? Has the scriptures helped you through the storms?
Interceding Tears or Wasted Tears?
24 Jul 2011 2 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: God, God the Father, Holy Spirit, Intercession, Jesus, Lord, prayer, Psalms
“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:4)
Often we struggle in life, wondering if our needs will ever be truly met.
This week alone I have had many personal struggles in my family, and I have felt so many emotions inside my heart, mostly sadness and despair. Often the Lord will not only meet my needs, He surpasses them and blesses me so tremendously and I am left standing “amazed” in His presence, wondering why I ever doubted.
We often forget the power of prayer especially when pain clouds our thoughts.
The Lord desires to hear about every area in our lives, good and bad. He longs to fellowship and walk closely with his children. He loves you so much today dear child. I cannot predict what the future holds for you today. I can however intercede on your behalf.
A dear friend once told me that she felt it a waste for her to cry for no reason. She understood that our hormones and emotions causes us to have these crying spells as this was just part of being human but she had a different outlook on this. She told me that when she feels as though she has to cry, and she is not sure why, she does not waste the tears on not understanding or on herself, instead she offers the tears up in prayer, and proceeds to intercede for everyone she can think of that needs prayer that day.
In the book of Psalms we see that the Lord sees interceding tears and thus blesses them. It even says that the Lord bottles those tears! My friend felt that perhaps when we have the urge to cry, we should make the tears stand for someone else’s needs. Why this stuck with me so profoundly, was the fact that this friend was dying from terminal cancer at the time and she passed on a few days after sharing this valuable lesson in prayer with me.
May you find comfort today as you fellowship with a Loving Heavenly Father.
Prayer: Dear Lord, take our tears and bottle them. Use them as the gateway to intercede. May we find that our hearts are full with abundance, all because we focused on another’s pain. Thank You for allowing us to shed our pride and replace it with humbleness as we shed a tear today for someone else. Amen!
About the Author:
Debbi Farmer a part-time writer and small business owner loves her family dearly, but understands the struggles it takes to function in a family when you are hurting so… She wants to shed a tear today for you as she intercedes in prayer.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
Are you hurting and crying today dear loved one? Have you shed unspoken tears as a silent prayer for someone else?
Joy Outside My Window, The Little Moments
23 Jul 2011 5 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: Chicago, christian, chronic, Cilice, God, Lake Michigan, Lord, Psalms
“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever. (Psalm 30:11-12)
Trips into Chicago are a common event for our family. No – we don’t take that hour plus trek for fun, even though Chicago has many fun things to do. Our Chicago trips are difficult, painful, and exhausting as we search out medical help that our rural area can’t provide.
Usually, I am engulfed in how my body feels and unaware of my surroundings as we travel to the “big city.”
This time, perhaps because the wonderful weather and gorgeous blue sky, I was paying more attention to what was happening outside my car window. Remarkably, I forgot about my pain.
Winding along the road that curves bordering the magnificent blue body of Lake Michigan’s southern tip, I was entranced by the small edging of beaches, bike paths, and parks teaming with activity. Swimmers, bikers, joggers grabbed my attention. A harbor full of colorful sailboats waited to be released into the gentle wind. I admit I felt envious.
I looked over to my son, patiently wending his way through Chicago traffic. “Look at those people!” I exclaimed to him. “They are living their lives! Oh, how I wish I could ride my bike again, or swim ….” I trailed off.
Yet, I felt something other than envy begin to stir. I wanted to grab my camera to take a picture of the beautiful boats bobbing gracefully in those incredibly blue waters. I wanted to remember those incredibly white clouds floating lazily in the sky. I turned to my son once again. “Isn’t it all beautiful?”
Suddenly it didn’t matter that I wasn’t jogging along that parkway. I found a beauty and peace just watching God’s world. He had handed me a beautiful gift.
I only had to take my eyes off myself and look out the window.
Prayer: Father God, Thank you for giving us the amazing beauty of Your world. Help us to open our eyes to the wonder around us. Amen.
About the Author:
deni weber believes that the only true way to deal with chronic challenges is to bring them to the feet of her Lord and Savior. Her challenges have taught her many things about herself and her Christian walk. It is her fondest desire that her lessons may be helpful to others as they walk the path of chronic illness. Her website is TodaysEncouragingWordonline.com – deni can be reached at encouragingwords@me.com .
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
What unexpected gifts has God given you? When you can’t praise God for how you are feeling, can you find ways to praise Him for the wonders around you? How do nature and beauty speak to you about God?
Does It Feel Like God is In “Not Responding” Mode?
22 Jul 2011 2 Comments
in Devotionals2
“I cry out to You, God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but You merely look at me.” (Job 30:20)
If you have been following my tweets or posts on Facebook you know I have been having a frustrating few days on my computers. One computer is having some of it’s own rebellious teenager issues (It’s 18 months old, ). But another computer confirms some of the problems are related to the internet itself.
No matter what I try to do or fix, I get that frustrating error message, “Not Responding.” Most of the time I can see even see the screen I want, but then it grows dim and I can’t access the information.
As I have sat there staring at the screen, I’ve had time to think (and pray!) and some of the reflections have reminded me of how we sometimes feel like God is sending us that “Not Responding” message.
We can ask God, as Job did, “I cry out to You, God, but You do not answer; I stand up, but You merely look at me.” We pray and cry out for answers from God. Sometimes we can even see His presences in our lives, but it’s dim, like that frustrating computer screen. We can see Him, but we cannot “access” Him. We can’t get Him to answer us, we cannot convince Him to give us explainations for our pain, and we aren’t able to figure out how to convince Him to respond in the way we wish. We don’t see Him doing anything with our life, it’s just dim as we wait.
I am trying to (patiently!) learn how to accept God in whatever form He comes to me in, rather than demanding a “sign” or an answered prayer. Sometimes, He just is. Yet He is aways there.
Many times, just like the computer screen, our options are “Quit” or “Try Again.”
When we’ve spent all our day on our knees, cried out in every way we know how, sometimes we just need to get up and gain a new perspective and see how He may answer our prayers. It may be in a much less likely place than we assumed it would be. It’s natural to constantly hit that “Try Again” button in your life. But occasionally it’s okay to click “Quit” and reboot with a fresh outlook.
About the Author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of rheumatoid arthritis. She has spent the morning at the rheumatologist and now is sitting at a coffee shop because her internet access has been flaky all morning. she is trying to take her own advice about “giving it over to God.”
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
When you have cried out to God, prayed for answers, asked Him to reveal Himself, and you still get the “Not Responding” message, what do you do?
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