I have quoted this verse many times in recent years regarding different situations in my life, one of which is dealing with my illness. I know many of us have probably prayed for healing and in God’s sovereignty, He has chosen not to do so; however, He doesn’t leave us empty-handed. There are many tools God gives us to help us on this journey and wisdom is definitely one of them.

When dealing with chronic illness, there are always decisions that need to be made.

Sometimes long term decisions about treatment and care or many times it’s just daily decisions like deciding how to spend limited energy. I have had fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome for over fifteen years. Often, the weight of making treatment decisions is left up to me because these syndromes are very misunderstood even among the medical community. I need wisdom in making decisions about the course of my health and well-being and what a blessing that in this verse, God promises to give it.

Godly wisdom is obtained through asking. My desire is to walk in the Spirit, spend time reading God’s words, and talking to Him in prayer. It is through these intimate personal times with Him that I will be able to receive His wisdom and guidance. And I sure do need it!

God will grant me wisdom concerning my health, if I ask Him. Wisdom for how to take care of my body, what medications and or supplements I should take or not take, or which doctors to use or not use. I often pray for wisdom when making priorities and choosing how I spend my time so that I can protect the health I do have.

I need His guidance to achieve optimum wellness through wise choices and I also want to know how to use this illness to make a difference for His kingdom. I need wisdom in so many areas of my life, but today I am asking for wisdom to help make the right choices concerning my health. Big choices or little choices, God asks us to ask Him for wisdom and He graciously promises to give it liberally.

Prayer: Father, grant to me your wisdom concerning my illness. Help me to make wise choices to make the most use of my time and energy. May Your wisdom guide me to using my illness for Your honor and glory. Thank You for your faithful promises and loving grace.

About the author:
Ann lives in Florida with her husband and five young children. She has suffered from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome for over 15 years. Her blog “Restoring My Soul” provides spiritual inspiration and encouragement to Christians who also suffer from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. http://restoringmysoul.wordpress.com/

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In what areas of your health do you need wisdom? Have you ever asked God for wisdom when facing decisions concerning your chronic illness treatment? Has there been a time where you felt God specifically led you in a decision concerning your illness? Please share with us!

Do you ever feel that your body has betrayed you? Has it left you feeling embarrassed, disappointed, or discouraged? There are times our body feels more like an enemy than a friend, times when no matter what we do, no matter what treatments or medications we give it, it responds by letting us down.

Sometimes it seems like we are in an endless battle with our bodies, we think we have gained some ground, that we have turned the tide in the war, and yet it rallies against us and sets us back once more. It can get discouraging after awhile.

The truth is that our bodies are not our enemies. Our bodies have been afflicted by disease and ills common to this world. To see our body as the enemy, rather than the victim of affliction, is to see our body as something foreign rather than a part of us that is subject to disease and weakness. While it is true that a new body awaits the Christian believer, it is also true that our lives on this earth will be spent in a body subject to weakness and affliction. Rather than see our body as the enemy, we must make peace with it and do our best to keep it in the best possible condition.

Sometimes I long for my heavenly body, and I suspect you do as well. I read somewhere that a philosopher said essentially:

We have the mind of God but we drag about a dead body.

I know that sometimes seems the case. And dragging about these “dead bodies” can be quite the challenge. Yet it is also true that we are redeemed, not just our mind, but also our bodies will be redeemed, and renewed:

“Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:23)

We suffer much because of our bodies, yet these physical temples are a part of us. Without them we would be dead. While we live we must do our best to make peace with these afflicted vessels, and with God’s help we will survive them as we drag them along with us toward redemption.

Don’t let your body drag you down. You are more than your body, more than a flesh and blood vessel. You are more than your afflications.

When you feel frustrated and betrayed by your body, try to keep in mind that it is part of you, and along with you it is also on its way to redemption.

Prayer: Dear Lord, so often these bodies let us down and at times we feel we are at war with them, help us through until the redemption of our body. Amen.

About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. His physical afflictions have been a battle, but the Lord has given him peace.

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

Do you sometimes feel you are at war with your body? Have you ever reminded yourself that it too will be renewed one day at the Resurrection?

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?