The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).
Severe pain sent me to bed one day. Curled up, waiting for medication to deliver relief, tears spilled down my face. Hannah, my compassionate 6 year-old, crawled in next to me and stroked my hair as she began to sing to me, “Precious Girl / God loves you / God has a plan for you / Precious Mom.”
I had never before heard the words or the tune Hannah sang and I felt incredibly comforted by her voice and her little hand on my head.
Peace and comfort settled over me like a warm blanket, and I knew that the words being sung over me and the hand delivering comfort were not just Hannah’s, but also God’s.
God speaks to us in many ways–through the Bible, through music, and through those willing to be His voice and hands. I doubt Hannah had any idea how much God was using her in that time of pain and fear, but I knew.
It is easy to feel a sense of isolation with chronic illness. It comforts me to know that God cares about all things, including my pain.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for drawing near to us when we are hurting. Amen.
About the author:
Jennifer LeBlanc lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of 9 years and their two young daughters. She has been living with chronic pain since 2005, and was diagnosed in 2010 with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory disease that attacks the spine and joints. In the midst of this “chronic” life, she also chooses to live with chronic gratitude. You can read more of her story at her blog, Live Art.fully: http://livelifeartfully.blogspot.com
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
Thinking back, can you remember a specific time when you felt God’s presence while you were in pain?
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- Therapy for a Spine and a Heart: Spiritual Lessons found in Physical Pain (chronicillnesspaindevotionals.wordpress.com)
- What’s Next in This Chapter? Trusting God in Chronic Pain and Illness (chronicillnesspaindevotionals.wordpress.com)
Chronic Illness Pain Daily Devotionals 
Jennifer – in such sweet moments as your Hannah provided – God is alive in His care. I can understand the warmth that flowed through you.
God does speak to us, to encourage us in many diffrent ways but they are always ways that speak personally to each of us as He knows what will mean the most to us. Our part is to be alert to catch the moments. You certainly caught yours!
Hugs –
Lynn
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