Chronic Illness Pain Devotionals

Do You Feel Forgotten?

“Why do You hide your face and forget our misery and oppression?”  (Psalm 44:24 NIV)

I smiled as I listened to the pastor on the radio telling of the time they “forgot” one of their children at church.  It brought back memories of the time when we did the exact same thing……and as the pastor was saying, we, too received a phone call asking us to “count our children to” make sure we had all of them!  (smile!)

As this Psalm begins, we read of all the wonderful things God had done for His people.  But, it ends in a plea for His attention and help.  Had God really forgotten His people?  Does He forget us now?  Sometimes it surely feels like it, doesn’t it?

We pray, and we plead for God to help our pain, our fatigue, the mental fog that comes with some illnesses -- and the endless days of having to stay behind while the rest of our family (and/or spouse) are out having all the fun of which we used to be a part.  We get so weary of it all! 

The apostle, Paul reminds believers in Romans 8:36 that “nothing or no one can separate us from the love of Christ.”  He never “forgets” us.  And Paul knew what it was to “suffer!”

We may feel forgotten at times…..we may even feel like asking God to “please count all His children to make sure He hasn’t forgotten one of them.”  But, He promised “never to leave us nor forsake us.”  Even during our most painful, darkest days, He is truly with us -- He has not forgotten us!  He will leave His “ninety-nine sheep in the fold to go find just one who is lost.” 

His mind and eye are constantly on each of us, and He knows exactly what we are going through - and is already working on the answer to help us before we pray.

Father, how comforting to know you “never forget us!”  What precious lessons You teach us in the midst of the darkest storms of our lives. Thank You for Your constant presence.
In Jesus name we pray - Amen

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alice Ervin lives in Dayton, Ohio with her beloved husband, Dan.  She deals daily with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Alice knows she would never be able to go through a single day without the constant love, strength and comfort of her Savior, Jesus Christ - and she gives Him all praise and glory for this.

The Padded Cross

"Come to me, all you who are weary and

burdened, and I will give you rest."

(Matthew 11:28, NIV)

I preached a sermon some years ago that

I feel really speaks to us who suffer from

Chronic pain etc.

It was called. "The padded cross" . The reason

I say it pertains to us is the fact that all of

us have our burdens to bear, our cross so to

speak.  Many people today want a cross that

looks nice. They also do not want it to be 

a heavy burden. Or maybe they even put it in their

pocket, so others can not see it and It will be

padded so that they have it as comfortable as

possible.

However, the one that we as sufferers of Chronic Pain

bear is the one that looks old and craggy with many splinters.

It is neither pretty nor light weight, but heavy. 

Many times it weighs us down to the point of exhaustion.

The pain we suffer is just like that. It is so bad that

many times we want to just throw it off, scream and have

somebody take it from us.  We literally beg God

to help us.

My friends... today if you are carrying the old craggy and

splintery cross, just know the one Jesus carried for

us was much uglier and heavier.  The King of Kings and

Lord of Lords was forced to carry a cross, then hang and die

on it for us to help us bear our burdens and for our salvation.

Not only did he have the wounds from the whipping and

the nails and thorns, he most assuredly had splinters. 

Those splinters represent all of the splinters we get in our

lives and the things we have to carry.

Remember my friends... that when we think our cross is too

heavy to bear, Jesus who bore his cross is helping us carry

ours also.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Pastor Pat Dittert lives in a berm home in Central Iowa with his
lovely wife Nancy and 3 fur babies. Pat lives with Chronic Pain from
a number of surgeries and injuries. Brain Tumor surgery left him
disabled and unable to do most physical
activities. He is also a survivor of Cancer and has 2 stints in his
heart. Pat has several Internet Ministries, leads a Home Bible
Fellowship on Sunday Nights and is a freelance writer with Christian
newpapers, poetry, etc. His Devotional page is
http://fibromyalgia help.homestead. com/RevPatsDevot ional.html
Contact him at rivpat77@msn. com

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When Faith Skips A Beat

"Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24 NIV)

This weekend, I find myself stumbling in my faith. The latest course of treatment I am getting is very difficult and I know it is only buying time. How much time I am not sure. I often question my decision to try it because it is horrendous. One round of six weeks was bad. This is a twelve week round at double the normal dose - what's that saying about whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Well, when this is done, I should be as strong as David.

I have friends who have been "prayer warriors" throughout my cancer journey. I thank God everyday for giving me friends who pray in faith, believing that He will hear and answer their prayers. I also send up thanks for those friends who hold on to faith when my thinking cannot be trusted because of the effects of my treatments.

I sense the strength and comfort that come from their prayers and petitions that ascend to God. Yesterday, on the bedside table in my hospital room, was a note. It read, "Dear Denny, 'With long life will I satisfy her and show her my salvation' (Psalm 91:16)." It wasn't signed so I have no idea where it came from or who wrote it. My guess is it is from a woman on the cleaning staff who I often talk to when I am here for treatment. In learning about her I know that she has very little of this world's wealth, but she practices a mighty faith and has much heavenly wealth. I put that note in my bible as a reminder that our Lord is not limited by human understanding.

Prayer: As the man said to Jesus, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief." I ask that You help us and our unbelief. Help us remember that whenever our faith falters, we can rest knowing that nothing is too difficult for You. With You, all things are possible! Amen.

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Chat Room Ministries This Week

SCHEDULED CHAT ROOM MINISTRIES THIS COMING WEEK

Please take advantage of these times of fellowship, encouragement and support.

C.A.R.E. CONNECTION CHATS: (all in Daylight Savings Time)

Mondays 10:00 am Pacific/12:00 pm Central/1:00 pm Eastern

-  Chat Host is Mary

Mondays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern

-  Chat Host is Liz

Tuesdays 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern

-  Chat Host is Donna

What is C.A.R.E. Connection?  C.A.R.E. stands for Comfort, Accept, Refresh, Encourage.  We want you to be able to connect with others who are going through similar problems or situations.  There will be a volunteer “Chat Host” at each of these times so you can be sure that someone will be there to make you feel welcome and lead the chat time in an hour of encouragement in God’s Word and fellowship and prayer together.

Other scheduled chat ministries:

Fellowship hour – Tuesdays at 1 pm Pacific/3 pm Central/4 pm Eastern

Hopekeepers Bible Study – Thursdays at 5 pm Pacific/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern

TO GET TO THE CHAT ROOM:  Go to www.restministries.org/pro-chat.htm and type in your name in the box and click on “Connect”.  (It may take a few minutes to load the chat room window.) 

C.A.R.E. CHAT ROOM: A special chat room has been created just for the CARE chats to meet together in if the CARE Host chooses to do so.  So when you want to join one of the scheduled C.A.R.E. Connection chat times, you just sign into the Rest Ministries chat room as usual, which takes you to the main room called the Lobby.  Check there to see if the CARE chat is taking place in the Lobby or in the CARE Connection chat room.  To move there, click on  "show rooms" above the user names and then double click the room you want to go to (CARE Connection).

If you are unsure about getting there at the correct time try going to www.timetemperature.com/tzus/time_zone.shtml and below the map you will see the time zone differences (i.e. Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern). 

Carolann Page

Rest Ministries

C.A.R.E. Chat Co-ordinator

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Choose to Trust God When Afraid

"David was very much afraid so he feigned insanity and acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard"  (1 Sam. 21:12,13, NIV) 

David was in the land of Gath. Fearing that its king, Achish, would kill him if he recognized him, David pretended to be crazy.  The king took one look at him and said to his servants, "Look at the man! He is insane!  Why bring him to me?  Am I so short of madmen that you have to bring this fool here to carry on like this in front of me?" (verse 14).

When I read about this episode in David's life, I wonder what happened to him?  This is the man who, as a mere boy, fought the giant Goliath with nothing but a slingshot and a few smooth pebbles.  He wasn't afraid because he knew God was with him.  So why is it, when facing Achish, David didn't approach him  fearlessly in the LORD, but devised his own plan, choosing trickery as a way out?

There are many times when, overcome with fear, I have tried to work my way out of trouble on my own, ignoring God.  Jesus has sustained me through some  terrible times, but sometimes I forget that, and I go back to being afraid, trusting in my own power even though it is minimal and my own wisdom even though I am not particularly wise.

I think that's the way it was with David.  His fear took over, and instead of recalling all the times God helped him through trials, he only saw the challenge before him and became so consumed with it that he didn't seek God's way, but chose his own.  Unfortunately, his way involved lies and deception, two things that could not have pleased the LORD. 

Friends, whatever challenges you face today, don't spend your time trying to deal with them apart from Jesus.  He wants to stand with you and help you succeed in all your trials.  So don't shut him out!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Lou Cornish lives with fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome.  Her home is in Canada.

Withstanding The Carving

“The harvest is plentiful……”  Luke 10:2  (NIV)

It’s that time of year…..my favorite season!  I am blessed to live in an area where the word “Fall” means bright colored leaves, scrumptious red apples, fields full of orange pumpkins and such. 

But, I want to focus on pumpkins for now.  They paint a beautiful picture lying there in the fields.  But, if they just lie there, they aren’t much good to anyone.  They need to be harvested, carved, scraped, and sometimes cooked at extreme heat.  Some will become useful as foods such as pies, cookies and breads.  Some chosen to become a funny, smiling face to hold a candle to brighten some child’s life.  Made useful we might say, instead of just lying in the field to rot. 

Isn’t that what happens to we who live with chronic illnesses?  There are times when the pain and fatigue are so severe that all we can do is just “lie and be still.” 

But, aren’t you thankful for the blessed times when God helps us get up and start moving around again.  We feel the Lord “carving” away some of the pain, so we can be a “light” to others, or bring smiles to faces such as comes when they are enjoying a nice piece of pumpkin pie.

The carving, and sometimes having to go through the “furnace” of affliction isn’t  pleasant - in fact, it takes much endurance and persistence to keep on our feet.  God knows just where, and how much to carve away in order for us to make it through another day. Sometimes we end the day with a smile, sometimes with a frown.  But, God carved us “just the way He wanted us for that day.”  Then He used us for His purpose.

Thank you Father, that you can take a pain-filled, tired and depressed body, carve, scrape and put us through the heat of affliction until we become “useful” for You.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alice Ervin lives in Dayton, Ohio and deals daily with issues such as Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Degenerative Arthritis. But, her beloved husband, Dan helps her through the days by reminding her that God loves her, and he does, too - just as she is!

God's Ways

“"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," 
declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”(Isaiah 55:8-9)(NIV)

I often find myself trying to figure things out. God has given me an analytical mind that is a usually a blessing, but it becomes burdensome and ill-directed is when I analyze something that God doesn’t want me to spend time on. It may occur around a doctor’s appointment, when I spend hours looking up medical terminology or a condition that further explains why my body is in pain. I even find myself analyzing a “daily arthritis pain index” on the Internet to see if my pain correlates with a change in the weather patterns.

Some of these analyses may prove effective and even provide some valid answers. However, it doesn’t change the fact that I live with chronic, daily pain. Analysis of my pain most often becomes a frustration and a waste of time, because the real question I am trying to find an answer for, underneath the surface analysis, is “Why Me?”

When we live with chronic pain or illness, it is normal to ask questions. We not only search for ways to relieve our distress physically and emotionally, we question God, wondering why we have been plagued.

God’s Words in Isaiah 55 help provide insight to us, telling us it is not for our human minds to comprehend everything. God is not a “big us”. He has created the heavens, the earth and the universe, but also each of us, according to His plan. As our all-knowing God, we can trust that the answer to “Why Me?” is quite well within His almighty control. And so is every part of our life if we live it for Him.

I will be a better servant if I fill my mind with God rather than with myself. I’m glad He has all the answers, so I don’t have to!

“Dear God, thank You for having all the answers, especially when we don’t. In Jesus’ name, we rest in You. Amen.”

Doris Farley experiences chronic pain that began after an accident. Her circumstances have led to an unexpected, life-changing spiritual journey that has renewed her commitment to our Lord. She thanks God for reaching her and prays that He will reach you also, through the words He gives her to write for you.

A Perfect World

"I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,

prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice

from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with

them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or

crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  (Rev. 21:2-4 NIV)

You may have seen the Walgreen commercials that talk about "if only we

lived in a perfect world" and they show clips of a perfect world on their

commercial. That would be wonderful wouldn't it!

We hope and we pray for all to be perfect in our lives. We pray for peace,

protection, healing, love and for provision for all our needs.

In reality we know that there is no perfect world but we can be assured that

we do serve a a perfect Saviour, Jesus Christ.

As I read in the book of Revelation I get much assurance and peace knowing

that there will come a day for all of God's children when there will be no more

pain or suffering in our bodies. My what a short time we have on this earth

compared to all eternity with God when our time comes to join Him and all of

our loved ones that have gone on.

A perfect world? No. A perfect life with God in the hereafter? Yes, and praise

His wonderful name that we will enjoy all the blessings that have been stored

up for us. Blessings we cannot even fathom or contain in this small piece of

time that we have here on this earth now.

Oh what futures we have, What glorious hope. Perfection to the max! Praise

the name of our Father God forever more.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Dittert (Founder & Overseer of Fibro/Chronic

Pain Support Ministry) lives in a berm home in Rural

Central Iowa with her husband  & soul mate Patrick,

4 cats and a Lab/Sharpei dog. Nancy & Patrick are

both pastors, retiring early because of illness. Nancy

lives with Severe Fibromyalgia and Neuropathy, and

her husband had a brain tumor that left him disabled.

They are still actively involved in Prayer Group, Home

Fellowship, and Chronic Pain Support Ministry through

theInternet. Write Nancy at nancierose@msn. com
and visit her Chronic Pain Web Site at...
http://Fibromyalgia help.homestead. com/index. html

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Conquerors

"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom. 8: 37-39 NIV)

In researching the Internet for hope and help for those of us that suffer daily with Chronic Pain I have come upon many sayings and quotes and here are a few of my favorites

"Life is what's coming....not what was." I especially like this one because it helps us to think about what "we have now" and not only what we used to have. If we constantly dwell on the past and how good we used to feel it can be very discouraging, but if we look to Jesus for our future, knowing that He cares and

has all in the palm of His loving hands... life is so much easier.

"Now is the most interesting time of all." This one is very thought provoking. Let us think about this a moment. What has come into our lives now... that we could never have had before our illness? I know personally I have met some of the most wonderful friends since my illness came into my life. I would have never met them had I not been ill.

This one is a favorite. "Success is getting up one more time." Oh yes we all feel that one. Sometimes we feel so let down and without success. But if only we could see how proud Jesus is  of us. He sees all and knows all. He knows how we suffer and even when we keep all the emotional pain inside... how He hurts

for us.

Learning to live with our illnesses on a daily basis is never easy, but we truly can be conquerors with God's precious hand in our lives.

Let us learn from these simple little quotes. I know they have touched my life and most of all we can be touched by the One who is always there for us day and night, our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Dittert (Aka Pastor Nancie-rose) lives in a berm home in Rural Central Iowa with her husband & soul mate Patrick, 4 cats and a Lab/Sharpei dog.
Nancy & Patrick are both pastors, retiring early because of illness. Nancy lives with Severe Fibromyalgia and Neuropathy, and her husband had a brain tumor that left him disabled. They are still actively involved in Prayer Group, Home Fellowship, and Chronic Pain Support Ministry through the Internet. Write Nancy at nancierose@msn.com and visit her Chronic Pain Web Site at...
http://Fibromyalgiahelp.homestead.com/index.htm

God Is Working The Nightshift

"And teaching them to obey everything I have

commanded you. And surely I am with you always,

to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20 NIV)

No matter what you are going through no matter what

you are carrying God will be there to help you through it.

Those of us who suffer from Chronic pain know what it

is like to not be able to sleep, because the nights are

so painful any way you turn or anything you do does

not help with the pain.  Those nights seem to be the

longest ever. You are constantly looking at the clock.

It seems like hours but it has only been a few

minutes.

In the midnight hour through all of our pain and

sleeplessness, God is there, He is there to comfort us,

and to give rest for our souls. He holds our hands, and

says I will help you through. He is there for us to call

on and to listen and talk to.

When having one of these nights it is time we learn to

use this time wisely. Maybe get up and read the Word,

get up and pray, or just listen to praise music.  You

may not receive your healing, but you will be comforted

by the gentleness of the Holy Spirit.

You see God loves us and meets us right where we are.

We do not have to go somewhere else to get to God, nor

do we have to do anything special to get hold of Him, only

call on Him and He will be there to give us a gentle hug.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Pastor Pat Dittert lives in a berm home in Central Iowa with

his lovely wife Nancy and 5 fur babies. Pat lives with Chronic

Pain from a number of surgeries and injuries. Brain Tumor

surgery left him disabled and unable to do most physical

activities. He is also a survivor of Cancer and has 2 stints in

his heart. Pat has several Internet Ministries, leads a Home

Bible Fellowship on Sunday Nights and is a freelance writer

with Christian newpapers, poetry, etc. His Devotional page is
http://fibromyalgia help.homestead. com/RevPatsDevot ional.html
Contact him at rivpat77@msn. com

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