“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Japan has been rocked with earthquakes and a devastating tsunami. Aftershocks continue and the threat of nuclear radiation widens. Life will never be the same for some. Our prayers continue for the Japanese people as they struggle to rebuild their lives.
Illness and health issues shake our world. Any snippets of energy, strength, and pain-free moments are relished. Much like the aftershocks of an earthquake, chronic illness too has a fallout.
I have friends who have been termed chronic, inoperable, and even given a time-frame for their demise. Everyone around them is affected. The clock ticks and every ache and pain causes worry and concern. Has the cancer returned? Has the blood disease progressed? How much time do I have?
Everything changes. Nothing is the same. What happened to normal?
I’ve decided life is about accepting the new normal. Not looking back at what might have been, or what was lost, but looking forward. This verse made me stop and think, “. . .to accept your lot in life- that indeed is a gift from God. People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy.” (Ecclesiastes 5:19-20).
God is a God of new creations and fresh hope. I can contemplate who I was, the energy and strength I had, or remember that God promises to give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. He chooses the weak things of the world to shame the strong.*
We can look forward knowing that weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.* I rest knowing in the new normal, God grants His strength and joy.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to look to You. Not look back at what was lost, but keep my eyes focused on You – the giver of Joy.
*(Isaiah 40:29, 1 Corinthians 1:27, Psalm 30:5)
About the Author:
Lisa Buffaloe is a madly in love with God, Christ-follower, happily-married, mom, writer/blogger/speaker. God has helped her through molestation by a baby-sitter, assault, rape, divorce, cancer, death, seven surgeries, and years of chronic illness due to Lyme Disease. For more information, please visit http://www.LisaBuffaloe.com
Chronic Illness Pain Daily Devotionals 