That Which Doesn't Kill Me Makes Me . . . Stranger?

God's Sense of Humor in Creation

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.” (1 Peter 2:9) KJV

The other day I was reading something fast; rather than seeing the common phrase, “That which doesn’t kill makes me stronger” I saw “That which doesn’t kill me makes me stranger.” I started to laugh and then was reminded of this verse in the King James Version of the Bible where we, as Christians, are called a peculiar people.

our illnesses can certainly make us feel peculiar. Just this week I tried to explain to my mom why I was waiting an extra couple of days to take a medication that had made me sick in the past but which the doctor wanted me to try again.

My reasons spanned from the housekeeper being there that day to what I was making for dinner and when my husband would be home. A lot goes into planning when to throw up from 3 PM on for 12 hours. . . and I usually don’t have any control over how I am feeling.

My mom laughed with me. She had just shared her own medical mysteries and she said, “you are the only one I can talk to who understands what I am feeling!”

I may be peculiar. But I am also glad I have a sense of humor!

Each little thing about our bodies impacts many areas of our lives. My eyes determine how far I drive, my stomach and my tooth, what I can eat (I just got a temporary crown); my medications determine what I can do for the day–and cannot. Feeling overheated or dizzy can mess up plans pretty fast. It is October 12th as I write this and over 90 degrees in San Diego.

Sometimes when we explain to a friend why we cannot walk far or sit outside they look at us like, “You don’t have to make up an excuse. . . just be honest!”–only, we are being honest. We have more logical and realistic explanations than anyone could imagine.

I am so God loves peculiar people!

In fact, Isaiah 28:21 says, “The Lord will rise up as He did at Mount Perazim, He will rouse himself as in the Valley of Gibeon— to do His work, His strange work, and perform His task, His alien task.” God’s work is even considered strange! Because it’s not logical. The first shall be last, the weak shall be strong, Most people would say that is a bit strange.

We who live with chronic illness have our own jokes, speak our own language, laugh over the same things that make us cry. We are family and God sets the lonely in families (Psalem 68:6). And we are peculiar people. The benefit? God will call all of us strange people “out of darkness into His marvelous light.” I cannot wait for that day when I am surrounded by all of you, my peculiar people family!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me a family of peculiar people who understand my worries and even the strange times that I can feel joy. When I feel like a third wheel or one who just isn’t like the rest of the people around me, give me wisdom to see the joy in this rather than the grief.

About the Author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and sometimes the people around her think she is a little. . . bit. . . strange. Why does her brain never stop thinking and how can she possible find joy when she hangs out with those chronically ill people? Well, she has Jesus in her heart and a sense of humor to be able to laugh at the rest of her body as it falls apart. She hopes you enjoy Rest Ministries, as it is her gift to you.

You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com

When was a time you felt peculiar or as though you didn’t fit in? Does it make you smile to think all of us peculiar people will one day be in heaven?”