How To Completely Allow God To Be Your Refuge In Illness and Pain

“O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.” (Psalm 62:8)

“My life is just one big crisis,” was the frustrating and emotional sharing of a friend. Have we ever felt the same way? I know I have. Those of us living in chronic pain and with continuing illness for which treatment is not successful truly feel that all the others frustrations of life “snowball” and can become overwhelming. Pain and illness often magnify the stress of financial and personal concerns, lack of understanding from others, and fear of what the future holds.

How do we cope with life when it becomes a crisis? Our greatest comfort is Jesus and His Word and the Bible has much to say about what to do when facing a crisis.

First, we must release our grief. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4 ). That means it’s okay to be honest about our grief. “O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” (Psalm 62:8 ) God wants to comfort us in tragedy. He is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. God created us to feel emotions and he doesn’t expect us to act happy when we’re grieving.

Be willing to receive help from others. The Bible tells us that when we carry one another’s burdens, we obey the Law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2) Ask Jesus not to let us be bitter and remember we all have the power to decide how trouble affects us. We can always thank God for our blessings and focus on them.

A time of crisis is a good time to clarify our values by considering what is really important in life. It is important to remember that crisis doesn’t mean that our self worth is less. This is a time to remember what the Apostle Paul said, “I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens; I can do all things through Christ, because He gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11,13)

Prayer: Lord, no matter how bad the situation, help me remember that You are always faithful. Teach me to turn to You for all the strength I need to get through this day.

About the Author:
Patricia Armstrong lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with her husband, Richard. Patricia is a retired elementary school teacher. She enjoys church activities, reading, gardening and camping. Patricia deals with constant pain from a nerve disease but is learning that Jesus is always with us even in times of greatest crisis. She prays others who are suffering will find this comfort too.