When your holiday is less than you hoped it would be, what do you have left give? Shelly shares.
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:16-17).
Thanks and Giving. Not the first two words that come to mind when you live a life with chronic illness, pain, and disability, is it?
For many of us, this season only heralds the beginning of the rush, the stress and the feelings of inadequacy that seem to loom larger as the year draws to a close.
God has been reminding me of three things that will remain true, no matter my feelings or the time of year. May I share them with you?
* “Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked” (Psalm 84:10).
* “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25).
* “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7).
I thank God for places like this, where we can come to stay rooted and be built up.
I thank Him that my salvation–my greatest blessing–will not depend on how Pinterest-worthy my holidays are. I thank the Lord that He gives me a place of rest and success in Him, with no prerequisites and no limits.
May you plant yourself in those same blessings this year.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, please help to keep us focused and thankful for the richness of Your mercy and grace. Help us not to get sidetracked into envy or stress. Help us to be together what we are unable to be apart, just as You intended. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
About the author:
Shelly Hendricks is a wife and mother of 2 amazing kids. She was a teacher and a librarian in another life. She also suffers from Intracranial Hypertension and Essential Tremor, among a myriad of other issues mostly stemming from these two. She had brain surgery in 2012, to install a VP Shunt, and had a revision in January of this year. She now considers herself to be a ‘bionic woman’ who is learning to walk again. Disability has been hard to deal with, but she depends on God for all strength and hopes to encourage others on this journey, through her blog at http://reneweddaily.com
What verse does God use to pull you back in stressful times?
Shelly thought that this beautiful hymn, “Day be Day” with the Antrim Mennonite Choir would be a true blessing. How beautiful it is! Both the music as well as the video and I think you will find it a blessing to start your day off with this. -Lisa
Chronic Illness Pain Daily Devotionals 