Who would prefer blindness? Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? When we are suddenly thrust into darkness by a storm, an uneasy feeling overtakes us. We stumble and grope our way to a flashlight. The light guides and calms us.

Years ago I taught students with visual impairments. I taught the students to use their senses which were not limited. Their visual sense was viewed as a weakness, not useful at all. But then the thinking changed. Since most individuals who are blind are not in complete darkness, any small amount of vision could provide useful information.

For thirteen years of his life, Billy kept his eyes closed. I began to teach Billy how to use his vision, introducing him to new sensory input.

He held a piece of black construction paper near his eyes. Bright light illuminated it.
“This is very dark,” I told him.
Changing the paper to white I said, “This is very light.”
He examined each paper as one would look into a microscope.
Then, I presented the black piece to him again. “Is this dark or light?”
“Dark.”
His response sent chills up my back. He could tell the difference.
Systematically, I taught him different shades. Amazingly, he could tell me with perfect accuracy which shades were darker than others. The next step was to teach him the names of the colors.

Finally, the time came to apply his new-found vision. He correctly sorted my husband’s dress shirts into colors and whites. He noticed the difference between a delicious apple and a green apple, chocolate milk and white milk. He began to see because he opened his eyes. Light came into his world, freeing him.

I can choose darkness or light. If I walk in the darkness of my disability, I’m in danger of despair, doubt, denial, dread, depression, and even self-destruction. But when I walk in His light, I experience peace and security.

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12

Prayer: Dear Father, Praise You for sending Your Son so that I might walk in the light of eternal life. Help me follow You each day. I desire to focus on Your light instead of my disease. Thank You for the peace that floods my heart as Your beam of light guides me through life. Keep my gaze ever upon You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

About the Author:
Vicki understands special needs as a patient, parent, and professor. She has had multiple sclerosis since 1993. Her 31 year old son was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. She’s taught special education as a teacher, administrator, and adjunct professor. Through her online community she reaches out to other parents of children with special needs. http://theblogfrog.com/1505794

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

Have you chosen to follow the light of the world? What has it been like?

One dear-lady on one of the prayer forums I visit requested prayer for her church and a member of this church. This church-member suffers from Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, one of the illnesses we refer to as an “invisible illness” because we can not actually see the results of the damage this illness can cause. Since there is little known about this disorder, the church members took it upon themselves to intervene and try to heal this member in their own way.

Rather than offering support and prayer, they offered her what they assumed was a “sure-fire”cure.

They felt that this lady was not “physically” ill as she had said but rather suffering from sin in her life. They offered her a book that has chemicals on it to help her overcome her problems. The idea is basically that the more she smells the chemicals in this book, the more she will realize that her illness is and has been all in her imagination.

It always breaks my heart when others pass judgment on those who are in pain. . .
Well-meaning church-members assume they have the answers.
Well-meaning friends offer their cures, remedies and advice.
Well-meaning family members don’t understand why we are in pain.

Soon, we find ourselves questioning our life and illness and wondering if sin has been the reason we suffer so. In John chapter nine, we see a similar situation. The disciples saw a blind man. This blind man had suffered all of his life. The disciples ask Jesus who had sinned, him or his parents that he might have such an affliction. Jesus replied neither had sinned.

You see, it does not please God that we suffer, The Lord desires only the best for us, but the Lord can see past our pain in this temporary life to the eternal gain we will someday receive. This man’s weakness was displaying his spiritual strength, by relying on the Lord to work through him.God’s grace was the power for this blind man to endure his burden. He was strengthened as he relied on the strength of the Lord in his life. God’s powerful grace is more real to us in our sufferings. God’s glory could be demonstrated by working through the human weakness.

I know that when my pain is deep and intense and I am so troubled, despaired and alone, I would like to have an interceding friend who is concerned enough to pray for me and with me.

I would like a friend who would listen and understand.
I have that friend today in Jesus.
He is a friend I can always turn to.
He understands me through and through.
What kind of a friend are you today?

Can you intercede for another in pain? Perhaps you need prayer and understanding today in your own life. Remember precious one, you are so loved today and you are not alone. The Lord does understand and He knows your pain.

Dear Lord: Thank You for reminding us it is not our fault that we suffer so. Please help us to forgive ourselves and take away any guilt that is misplaced. You demonstrated in Your Word that this world offers pain because the world is flawed, but that we as individuals are not at fault when illness strikes. We can be blessed and assured that you understand the pain we are in and we are grateful to find any relief through You and Your Word! Thank you, Lord. Amen.

About the author:
Deborah Farmer suffers daily from a few of those invisible illnesses. She desires that everyone in pain today feel the loving arms of a Savior who understands and loves them. Deborah offers her prayers and hugs to you today!

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

Have you ever been hurt by a well-meaning person who offered a quick cure or solution to your physical ailments? Did you hurt about it even more than your loved ones would have expected? How have you used this experience to respond differently when you are encouraging another person who is suffering?

Tony Evans recently posted this comment on his web page: “When your level of complaining is at an all time high, it could mean that your level of praise is at an all time low.” As it read it, I realized just how true it is. As I continued to think on it, I questioned: What makes my level of praise hit an all time low?

It didn’t take me long to figure out the answer. I’ve recently been doing a Bible study on “In the Presence of Jehovah” based on the song sung by Damaris Carbaugh. When I spend time in the presence of God, my level of praise rises to new heights. Being in God’s presence is comforting, encouraging, worshipful, humbling, and life changing.

When I spend time worshiping and praising God, that transfers to all aspects of my life. God provides new perspectives and insights. In God’s presence, He confirms that He knows exactly what is happening and He is in control of it all. He has a plan and is accomplishing that plan.

Right now, God’s plan for me includes chronic pain and headaches. On the high pain days, it’s easy to let my level of praise become at an all time low. However, knowing that God is in control, I can refocus and allow my level of praise to increase.

There is a thought that, “If you live with someone long enough, you not only begin to think like them, you look like them too.” I want that to be true of my relationship with God. I want to spend time in God’s presence, so that His thoughts become my thoughts and I want people to see Christ in me and through me.

If my complaining becomes an “all time high”, and my praise hits an “all time low”; than I am over due for some time in God’s presence. When my relationship is right with God, being in God’s presence is the most secure, peaceful, and encouraging place I can be—even on high pain days. Creating a positive day is almost automatic when I’ve been In the Presence of Jehovah.

Prayer: Lord, help me to see beyond the pain to the hope You’ve given me. May my praise for You remain at an all time high.

About the Author:
Rhonda Sawtelle lives with chronic headaches and pain due to failed back surgery syndrome. Her philosophy is “Create a positive day!” She enjoys watching football, digital scrapbooking, and reading. To read more about how Rhonda creates a positive day, even while living with pain, visit her blog: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com.

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

When you start complaining a little too much, how do you recognize it? Does a family member mention it to you? Do you hear yourself saying it and recognize it for what it is?

Recently a dear neighbor died. She was amazing to me. At just a few years shy of one hundred years old, she was always outside, raking her leaves in the fall, shoveling snow in the winter, mowing her grass in the summer, always active, always busy. She had family and friends that would have done those things for her, but she enjoyed activity, she was unstoppable.

After I heard that she had died I thought to myself that they should write the following on her tombstone:

“The Only Thing That Could Stop Her Was Death”

I admired her tenacity and zest for life. I envied it. Up until she died I would have truly said she was in better shape than I. To live your life fully until death stops you in your tracks, that is the way to go.

Sadly, too many of us crawl rather than run through life. We would run if we could, but life has slowed us down through disability, disease, and various afflictions. We envy those who can go with stopping, run without slowing down. It is hard to be a spectator in life.

Yet I believe we can find ways to run our race, to forge ahead when affliction would stop us in our tracks. We may not be running, but with cane, wheelchair, even hospital bed–we can forge ahead, keep moving, run our race in the best way we can. Affliction may stop us, but we can choose to move forward in whatever way is available to us, and we don’t move alone.

Those of us who have fellowship with God understand the He is with us in our affliction, we do not run our race alone. Whether our gene pool or life itself has thrown roadblocks in our path, we can call upon God to aid us in the fight, to give us strength to lift our head when we are too weak to move otherwise. And within we are standing up, fighting, rising to the challenge having our spirit fortified with His Spirit.

Be encouraged by those who can run well, those who keep moving when life should have stopped them in their tracks. And when you are weak and can barely walk much less run, lift up your head, rise up in your spirit, call upon the Father to give you strength to move forward, to continue your race. Perhaps when our life is over they will write on our tombstone: “The Only Thing That Could Stop Them Was Death”.

Prayer: Dear Lord, life throws many things in our path to stop us, help us to continue running the race, and to finish well. Amen.

About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. His hope is that he finishes his race well, in spite of affliction.

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

Do you find that affliction often stops you in your tracks? How do you get moving again?

The alarm clock signaled it was time to wake up. The first challenge: get out of bed. Multiple sclerosis (MS) made my legs weak. So, I gave my legs time to support me before I took a step.

I fixed my hair, ignoring the pain in my feet. Raising my arms was like lifting barbells. But I wanted to look presentable–to reflect His love, not showcase my pain.

My husband walked by and said, “After church we have to. . . ”
The sleepless night made it hard to process even one sentence.
“Please say that again slower.”
Lovingly, my husband obliged.

As we entered the sanctuary, we headed to “our” pew. Before I arrived at my seat to rest, a good friend spotted me. I stood there talking to her. My feet began to hurt worse, my energy drained.

I thought to myself, Smile, Vicki. Ignore the pain. Listen.
Then she said, “You look so good.”

Why did that comment bother me?

I knew each person who said it meant to say they were glad I didn’t look sickly.

Still, it bothered me every time I heard it. Why?

Was I afraid they thought I was exaggerating my discomfort or faking it? Was it pride? Did I desire attention? Did I want pity? Certainly not.

So, what was it?

I wanted them to understand.

The message that morning was from Luke 13:10-12.

“On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, ‘Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.’”

“Eighteen years” jumped off the page. That’s how long I had MS! In the midst of His teaching, Jesus noticed the woman who suffered an infirmity. Likewise, He notices me. His eyes are on me and His ears are attentive to my cry.

Psalms teaches about God’s compassion. Jesus healed the blind, deaf, and lame. Surely He cares about me.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, that You understand my suffering. You know my every thought. You hear my every cry. You are my Good Shepherd; I shall not want.

About the Author:
Vicki understands special needs as a patient, parent, and professor. She has had multiple sclerosis since 1993. Her 31 year old son was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. She’s taught special education as a teacher, administrator, and adjunct professor. Through her online community she reaches out to other parents of children with special needs. http://theblogfrog.com/1505794

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

Do you have hidden symptoms? When someone says, “You look good” how do you respond?

“Why does God want us to be afraid of Him?” asked my sweet son recently. We were reading a scripture and it mentioned how we should fear the Lord. This is a question that most of us have asked at one time or another, and one we don’t always get a satisfactory answer. I mean, God tells us He is our Father, our Abba, our friend, our protector. . . and then on the other hand He wants us to be afraid of Him? What kind of friend does that?

When we live with a chronic illness we are up against all sorts of things that we can fear. We fear going to the doctor, we fear not going to the doctor. We fear taking the medications and dealing with side effects, we fear not taking the medications and coping with the possibly damaging results to our body. The list can go on and on. Why on earth would God want us to add Him to that list of fears?

The amplified version of the Bible says, “The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning.”

According to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, “revere” means to “show devoted deferential honor to: regard as worthy of great honor.” When we fear the Lord, it is meant to be because we fully comprehend He is to be given such great honor.

We are to acknowledge that this God in our lives is the same God who said ‘Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3) and there was light. . . and this light was not even the sun, which He created three days later (Genesis 1:6). God is all powerful–and loving, and yet, He also can be vengeful when the situation is appropriate for this (Romans 12:19). In Psalm 6:1 David pleads “O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.”

To acknowledge that God is God and He has the right to rebuke or discipline, can be one of the ways we “fear God.” I believe that God wants the best for me. I can expect, should expect, that there will be consequences when I start taking Him for granted, when I let my priorities slip out of order, when I spend money foolishly, when I forget to tell Him thank you for the things He has blessed me with. As my grandma used to say, “You’re getting to big for those britches.” God has a way of drawing us back to Him, and sometimes that path is full of a lot of potholes!

I like the simple version of this scripture from The Messages. It states, “God-friendship is for God-worshipers; They are the ones He confides in.” When we worship Him, remember His glory and honor Him, we create a friendship and from that He shares some of the mysteries to help us through those difficult days. We can see how He works out our messes into miracles; though our circumstances may have been the same, we likely would not have seen His hand, if we were lacking being in communion with Him.

Prayer: Lord, fearing You is having a healthy respect, a reverance to You who created the heavens and the earth–and me! It is recalling how You never leave my side through the good times and the bad. Humble me so that I have a healthy fear of You in ways that will strengthen our relationship, not add stress to it.

About the Author:
Lisa Copen is an author, speaker, and the founder of Rest Ministries which serves the chronically ill. She lives in San Diego with her husband and 8-year-old son. She is currently writing a book for Christian moms who live with chronic illness. If you are interested in sharing your stories, feedback and confessions for the book, visit her Facebook page at http://MomWithIllness.com .

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

When you hear that we should “fear” God, what comes to mind? How have you reconciled these verses? How do you express or see your “fear of the Lord”?

This winter, I have been fascinated by the size of the male whitetail deer found in the woods on our property. Unlike other deer, these bucks have a mysterious dark coat, a result of living deep in the forest away from humans and sunlight, which gradually bleaches their fur. This coat serves as a perfect camouflage around trees and other vegetation. Their massive size has brought an interesting paradox. How can these deer survive on so little?

As I walk through the woods, I see very little food sources in these pine thickets, yet some of these deer reach weights in excess of 200 pounds. I’m sure a biologist or wildlife expert could find a complex answer. My only conclusion is that my heavenly Father feeds them. As long as they dwell in the safety and sanctuary of the forest floor, they not only survive, but flourish.

Those lured by green grasses of open pastures or food plots lose this security, left vulnerable with no protection from predators or sunlight. As exposure to sunlight bleaches their skin, their God-given camouflage is lost, leaving them an open target in their formally safe home.

We may look around in our own lives and see very little that God can work with. Filled with discontent, we may find ourselves longing for the “green grass” found elsewhere. Yet God consistently proves He will provide for our needs according to His plan and His timetable. God can transform our meager offerings into surprising abundance.

By living on a steady diet of prayer and scripture, we can dwell in safety, away from predators. He will guide us to secret treasures
overlooked by others.

Whitetail bucks have found the secret to success not in man’s creation, but in the daily provisions of their creator. By trusting in this same God for our daily needs, we can flourish in mysterious ways unseen by man. God provides for these deer, and He will provide for us, no matter the circumstance.

Prayer: Lord, sometimes I don’t trust you like I should. Thank you for your daily provision and protection when I need it most. Amen.

About the author:
Tracey Brown lives on a farm in Mississippi with her husband Donald. They have learned through their marriage to trust God for their provision as they both have battles with chronic illness. Donald was born with a form of muscular dystrophy, while Tracey has faced kidney disease which resulted in kidney failure and later transplant.

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

What needs has God provided for you out of what you have deemed as nothing?

This winter, I have been fascinated by the size of the male whitetail deer found in the woods on our property. Unlike other deer, these bucks have a mysterious dark coat, a result of living deep in the forest away from humans and sunlight, which gradually bleaches their fur. This coat serves as a perfect camouflage around trees and other vegetation. Their massive size has brought an interesting paradox. How can these deer survive on so little?

As I walk through the woods, I see very little food sources in these pine thickets, yet some of these deer reach weights in excess of 200 pounds. I’m sure a biologist or wildlife expert could find a complex answer. My only conclusion is that my heavenly Father feeds them. As long as they dwell in the safety and sanctuary of the forest floor, they not only survive, but flourish.

Those lured by green grasses of open pastures or food plots lose this security, left vulnerable with no protection from predators or sunlight. As exposure to sunlight bleaches their skin, their God-given camouflage is lost, leaving them an open target in their formally safe home.

We may look around in our own lives and see very little that God can work with. Filled with discontent, we may find ourselves longing for the “green grass” found elsewhere. Yet God consistently proves He will provide for our needs according to His plan and His timetable. God can transform our meager offerings into surprising abundance.

By living on a steady diet of prayer and scripture, we can dwell in safety, away from predators. He will guide us to secret treasures
overlooked by others.

Whitetail bucks have found the secret to success not in man’s creation, but in the daily provisions of their creator. By trusting in this same God for our daily needs, we can flourish in mysterious ways unseen by man. God provides for these deer, and He will provide for us, no matter the circumstance.

Prayer: Lord, sometimes I don’t trust you like I should. Thank you for your daily provision and protection when I need it most. Amen.

About the author:
Tracey Brown lives on a farm in Mississippi with her husband Donald. They have learned through their marriage to trust God for their provision as they both have battles with chronic illness. Donald was born with a form of muscular dystrophy, while Tracey has faced kidney disease which resulted in kidney failure and later transplant.

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

What needs has God provided for you out of what you have deemed as nothing?

I wish I was like the Apostle Paul. I wish I could boast about my weaknesses. Like most people I would rather hide my weaknesses. I’m trying to imagine people walking around saying things like, “I have Lupus and I’m proud of it!” or “I’m terribly depressed and I want the world to know it!” or “I’m in a wheelchair and couldn’t be more proud!” People would think we were crazy if we went around saying things like that.

What the Apostle Paul was getting at is the fact that when we are weak, and in whatever way we are weak, our weakness allows the Lord’s power to be more easily manifest in us. When we are not depending upon our strength and abilities, but upon the Lord and His power, our weakness is used for a conduit of the Lord’s power and abilities, so we should see our weaknesses as strengths. It is our weaknesses we should be proud of and not our strengths.

In truth, I don’t like to be reminded of my weaknesses. I suppose no one really does. So though I know the truth of Paul’s words, I find that keeping this truth in mind when my thorn in the flesh is worse or some new weakness afflicts me is no easy task. I need constant reminding that there is more to me than my weaknesses and afflictions.

Too often we are defined by the things that are wrong with us, rather than those things that are right about us. People expect to find weakness, and to some degree people relate to weaknesses in others, but they don’t like to be continually reminded of the weaknesses in others because it brings to mind their own weaknesses.

Maybe it is something in our genes that draws us toward the strong, the attractive, the healthy, and repels us from the sick, weak, afflicted, and ugly. Human nature has a strong pull within us and can shape our thinking. In the King James Bible version this corrupted human nature is often called “the flesh.” Our challenge is to look beyond “the flesh,” beyond corrupt human nature and find that bigger picture we can only see through God’s eyes. What appears ugly may truly be beautiful. What appears weak may really be strong.

I would encourage you, and I remind myself, that weakness and affliction is not always what it appears to be. Though we may see these things as something terrible to be avoided, hidden, shunned, if we could step back and see them from God’s perspective we may find they are opportunities to allow God to shine through us, exchanging our weakness for His strength, and finding that we are able to be witnesses to His power rather than to our shortcomings.

As you are tempted to be discouraged by your weaknesses, I would encourage you to be honest about your weaknesses, keep it real with yourself and others, and call upon the Lord to use your weaknesses for His glory. Let His strength be seen in your weaknesses. Be proud of who you are with all your weaknesses and strength in the Lord.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we want to hide our weaknesses and pretend we are strong, help us to surrender our weaknesses to You and become strong indeed. Amen.

About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. God is his strength in weakness.

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

Do you find you would rather hide than reveal your weaknesses? Have you considered that God can use your weakness to reveal His strength in you?

May I touch You, Jesus? I am in a crowd, and I am all alone. May I press forward and touch Your clothes? In my body I keep growing worse, and suffer under the care of many doctors. I am tired and I want more of You. I long for healing and wholeness.

I know that You are always with me. I know that You hold me. Your scriptures say “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you do not fear.” (Isaiah 41:13)

I know all of these things. I do. But I want more of You. You are all that matters. I want to touch You. I want a newness in my heart. I need refreshing in my spirit. I want a new joy. Father, I give You all of me. I take my heart, my longings, my health, my pain, and I just fold them up and put them in Your Hands. Take all of me until there is nothing left but You.

“Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:11-12)

Restore the joy. For that I need to abide in You.

Your Word says “Abide in Me, and I in you. I am the vine and you are the branches; He who abides in me and I in Him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19)

Prayer: Yes, I believe. Come Lord Jesus. Amen.

About the Author:
Sandra Platt is a pastor’s wife and mother. She lives in rural Southern Indiana. She has many chronic conditions, and is learning to walk deeper with the Lord as she writes to encourage others.

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

In what ways do you want to touch Jesus? Make a little prayer of your own.