Chronic Illness Pain Devotionals

True Love Each Day

"But I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble."(Psalm 59:16)(NIV).

For a long time, my husband has managed our early morning routine before going to work. After my surgery, his morning consisted of helping me with my basic needs of getting out of bed, getting dressed and taking medication.

I am recovered now and can do more, but I still find mornings especially painful. However, if I manage my morning properly, I find special ways to show my husband kindness and serve him. He would gladly continue the morning routine for us, but it’s important for me to give something back and show him love.

So I’ve made it a point to try to awaken before him, get out of bed, take my medication early and takeover. I make our coffee; I make his lunch to take to work; I feed our cats. Then we have time to sit and chat before he leaves. I make no special display, just do simple things, but he knows what’s in my heart. He knows I want to, need to give back to him and I know he appreciates it.

And so I am rewarded.

God knows too all the little things we do from our hearts for Him and for others. And He knows when physically they are more difficult for us. Even though the things we do may be small, they are all the more tremendous to God because He knows what we go through to do them. He gives us the strength to get through not only our morning but also our entire day. As we accept His everlasting love, it flows through us to others. He is our Almighty Fortress. As we take refuge in Him, He helps us persevere and continue to serve Him.

"Dear God, Thank you for filling us with Your strength and love each day. Even though we have difficulties, may everything we do be done in true love, as inspired by Your love for us. Amen." (1 Corinthians 16:14).

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. You may write to her at dorisfarley@aol.com

Refuge

“I will say of the LORD ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in Whom I trust,’” ( Psalm 91: 2  NIV)

I was thrilled when my doctor suggested a hot tub to relieve my aches and pains. Although the idea may seem frivolous to some, they have been proven beneficial for many people. It has become a ritual for me to get in it often and soak away the pain of fibromyalgia. The warm water is a wonderful temporary respite, and the time spent in the hot tub is just the boost I need to help me finish the day. Not only does it make me feel better physically, but the spa has become a sort of refuge where I can leave my problems behind and talk to God. Sometimes, I even sing. The hum of the jets protects anyone but me and God from hearing my off-key vocal offerings. He listens to my singing, and my ramblings and understands when I don’t feel like folding the laundry or mopping the floor. The only thing he asks of me is my faithfulness. Spending precious time with God while my pain drifts away in the bubbles gives me new strength. I emerge from the spa feeling soothed, satisfied, and loved. When I feel helpless and hopeless, God’s promises flow through my life and comfort me, just like the bubbles in the hot tub. The spa is a mechanical thing that relaxes me and prompts me to focus on Him. It reminds me there is no greater refuge than God. Prayer: Father God, I come to you so humbly, knowing I cannot do everything I used to do. I just ask that you help me to concentrate on the things that I still can do, and to always do them for your glory. Father, I thank you for being my refuge, my fortress, and my comforter. Forgive my weaknesses and give me the strength to honor you always. Amen Betty Castleberry is a free lance writer who loves writing for The Lord. She is a retired-early-by-choice RN who lives in Texas with her husband and three parrots. Her interests include reading, gardening, and church activities.

Through Him Or In Him?

"O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me."  (Psalm 139:1 KJV)

I saw my doctor last Friday—it was supposed to be a normal visit for blood work, period.  Because we don’t have medical insurance, my doctor has been great just to peek in the exam room, ask a few quick questions and, as he puts it, “pretend he didn’t see me” so he wouldn’t have to charge for the visit. 

Unfortunately, things changed and I ended up with an extended examination and consultation about some serious symptoms I’ve been experiencing for quite some time but unable to talk openly about.  In all honesty, I struggle with allowing people to know about my pain because of the possibility of rejection or being made to feel like a chronic complainer or someone desperate for attention or pity.

But, I’m not alone!  There are many people who go through life thinking there is no way anyone could ever truly know them and still love them. It’s even worse for those of us with illnesses—many times we don’t want to show our weaknesses to others.  And sometimes we treat God the same way…we have trouble being open and honest with Him thinking we’re a bother or perhaps we deserve our pain because of something we may have done or neglected to do.

We can’t hide anything from God.  He knows us better than we know ourselves.  He loves us more than we could ever imagine though He knows us completely.  He knows what we need before we pray. He knows and understands our suffering. He never misunderstands us…there is nothing about us He doesn't know.

Take a few moments today and consider these things.   If you're hiding shortcomings or failures, talk to Him about them.  If you’re unable to articulate your pain, just open up and tell Him as plainly as you can. After all, He made you who you are—fearfully and wonderfully made, by His hands and for His glory.

Are you hiding FROM Him or are you hidden IN Him? 

Prayer:  Father, it is so hard sometimes for me to comprehend the love you have for me.  Forgive me for hiding FROM You; help me to live hidden IN You.  Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jan Ross lives in Willard, OH, with her husband, Ron; they have six adult children and twelve incredible grandchildren.  Jan is an ordained minister and missionary with Heart of God International Ministries (www.heartofgodinternational.com).  She enjoys teaching and writing Bible Studies and teaching piano.  Jan continuously experiences God’s strength being made perfect in her weakness from fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis and other chronic conditions.  Feel free to contact Jan at jan@janross.org.

God "Gets It"

"I call upon the LORD in my distress and He answers me."
(Psalm120:1 NIV)

Living with chronic illness can be so difficult at times. One
of the most difficullt things that I have had to face is the
rejection from others.  It seems that the most painful thing
is the rejection from one's closest friends or family. If our
ailments are invisible,it is even more disheartening.  I have
three invisible illnesses.  A little over a week ago, I was
told that I need to get out more....to volunteer....go visit the
elderly and read to them.That is good advice for some, yet
when faced with anxiety and  being afraid of people,
(not knowing what to say or do and feeling inadequate in
social situations), it becomes even more arduous.

Little did this person realize that I have overcome agoraphobia,
fear of open spaces.  I used to have panic attacks in the
middle of the supermarket. I felt the most comfortable in the
confines of my car or at home.  I did not like being in public.
Little did she know that forcing myself to get out of my house
to go to my doctor's appointments or shopping at Marshall's was
a huge step for me. I have made progress taking baby steps. For
me, that is success. I  have come a long way on my time table.

What do you do when you do not meet up to others just don't
"get it?" Where do you hide your heart? What do you do when you feel
alone and abandoned? Do you turn your pain inward, leaving
you subject to anger and resentment? If so beloved, know that
there is a Savior Who truly knows what you are going through and
understands the pain you suffer.  His name is Jesus and He longs
for you to come to Him so He can comfort you. He will meet your
every need. Instead of running away, run into the saving and loving
arms of God.

"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your
presence?  If I go up to the heavens, You are there If I make my bed
in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I
settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me,
Your right had will hold me fast." (Psalm 139:7-10 NIV)

God loves you beloved, and knows the pain you face.  Yes, God is
waiting with open arms, run to Him and feel the comfort that only
God can give you.  He longs to comfort you....God truly does "get it."

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you
rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and
humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
(Matthew 11:28, 29 NIV)

How refrshing! Run into the arms of Jesus, Who is gentle and humble
in heart...at last, a Savior Who understands.  Turn your heart towards
God and find compassion and understanding for your distress.

God's Blessings.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kay DeCarlo, (45) ,devotional coordinator for Rest Ministries lives with
Dilated  Cardiomyopathy, (a form of Congestive Heart Failure); Type
2 Diabetes and Bipolar Disorder type one.  Kay knows and understands
the emotional stigma attached to chronic illness and has found
comfort in the open arms of Jesus.  Kay  lives with her husband, Joe
and two dog type fur-children, Daphne Mae and Alice. in chilly Connecticut.
As a survivor of 3 life-threatenig illneses, including Hodgkin's Disease and
Congestive Heart Failure with pulmonary emboli (blood colts in her lungs);
she has never lost sight that God is bigger than any trial she faces and
looks to Jesus to comfort her in her times of need.

She Found A Protector

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."  (Proverbs 18:10 KJV)

Kay Arthur wrote a short story which gives us a glimpse of what the name of the Lord truly means to us:

"The muffled, distant sound had broken the quiet reverie of his walk across the meadow. The sharp barking of a dog almost irritated him. It was abrasive in that tranquil setting. As the barking grew louder, his eyes scanned the meadow, looking for the culprit. Suddenly a small doe broke through the edge of the woods. Now he understood. Leaning against the fence post, the man watched with compassion as the doe cut across the broad expanse of meadow. She was running straight toward him. He stood motionless, not wanting to add the fear of man to the animal's frustration. As the frightened fawn leaped the fence, she staggered. The chase had taken its toll. Her wet coat gleaming in the sun, the doe stopped, took a few steps in one direction, then, ears held high, looked back toward the sound of the barking. The dog had broken through the woods. Eyes wide with fright, confused, worn out, panting wildly, the doe surveyed her surroundings, quickly discovering the man standing beside the fence. Glancing back for an instant at the dog in hot pursuit, then viewing the expanse of open field before her, she turned weakly and wobbled straight toward the man. She approached him without fear and buried her head in his tummy. Compassion flooded his heart and filled his eyes. She had found a protector."

The doe found a "strong tower" and she ran into it; she was safe! What a beautiful picture of the name of the Lord as our strong tower.  In Him we find the reality of His covenants and promises—a  strong tower, impenetrable, impregnable, and immovable!

Where do you find your refuge? Who or what is your tower of strength? Where do you run in time of trouble?

Prayer:  Father, I long to be like the deer and find refuge in You. I acknowledge my need for You more each day. Meet me at the point of my need to know You more. Amen!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jan Ross lives in Willard, OH, with her husband, Ron; they have six adult children and twelve incredible grandchildren.  Jan is an ordained minister and missionary with Heart of God International Ministries (www.heartofgodinternational.com).  She enjoys teaching and writing Bible Studies and teaching piano.  Jan continuously experiences God’s strength being made perfect in her weakness from fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis and other chronic conditions.  Feel free to contact Jan at jan@janross.org.

Dancing In The Rain

“I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”  John 14:3 (NIV)

Several years ago I purchased some Christmas cards that I really like. They have been an encouragement to me as my chronic illnesses cause increasing limitations. The poem on the front of this greeting card goes like this:

God gives us breath

That we may sing.

God gives us all the earth

That we may plant faithful gardens.

God gives us the promise

Of His second coming

That we may dance in the rain.

For some of us, singing is beyond our ability to do. We scarcely can take the next breath, let alone sing. But we can sing in our minds, singing praises to our wonderful Lord.  For others, the idea of planting a physical garden is beyond imagination. But we can plant a garden in our hearts, a garden of gratitude, praise, and worship to our King.

Those of us who live with physical disability may say to ourselves, “There is no way that I can dance, let alone dance in the rain!”   Sometimes my struggle with chronic illness is like an unending storm. I yearn to be free of the physical and emotional pain. But Jesus’ love enables me to dance even in the pouring rain.

Jesus left His disciples—and us—the promise that He has prepared a place for us. He said He will come back for us.

Prayer: Father, help us to refocus our attention on what we CAN do instead of what our illnesses have taken from us. And encourage our pain-damaged hearts with the reassurance that Jesus will indeed come back to take us home to be with You forever.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR  Sande Huffman lives with several chronic illnesses in Denver, CO. Her hope for eternity is found in God’s promise that He is preparing a place for her and will come back for her.

Fear Not

" Blessed is the man who fears the Lord...He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord." (Psalm 112: 1,7 NIV)

Every time I receive a call from, or see a doctor, my heart falls into my stomach. I have struggled mightily with fear of bad news.  Because of this battle with fear, the Psalms have been a source of companionship for me. Psalm 112 is one of my favorites. Verse 7 says, "He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him." That last part is the key to it all, isn't it?  It all boils down to our trust in our Creator. Do we really believe God will take care of us? It is sometimes hard for us to get to that place of trust when we get bad news from medical professionals. 

God's perfect love is sometimes hard to comprehend in a world where love is conditional, has strings attached and is sometimes temporary. The Lord says, "I love you completely and forever."  Jesus says, "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13)

When fear threatens to engulf me. I remember that our Lord is compassionate, kind and full of love toward me. These truths make my heart secure in His perfect plan when my fears threaten to sweep over me. 

Prayer: Thank You , Father, for lovingly taking care of me. How grateful I am that I can cast my fears on You because You care for me. They are Yours and You will deal with them in love. You, Lord, have been faithful. I can place my trust in You for Your perfect love casts out all of my fears. Amen

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Denny Dowd lives in Pennsylvania with her cat, Shamrock. Denny is a social worker and she enjoys writing, reading, and volunteering. Denny is the world's biggest Notre Dame football fan. Denny lives with Chronic Inflammatory Demylineating Polyneuropathy and cancer and has strong faith that God will see her through even the most difficult of days.

LORD Are You Sure?

"Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies - make straight Your way before me." (Psalm 5:8 NIV)

It is the night before a trip to Ohio for tests; I read the above passage as part of my evening prayers. These tests are being done at the conclusion of a 12 week course of double dose, double time, chemotherapy. I have been calling to God and praying for courage in the face of these tests which I wholeheartedly detest. The above passage is His answer to my prayers.

I am not an overtly emotional person but I was moved to tears as I once again received His assurance that He would lead me, tell me and guide me. My heart knowing all along that He has put a certain path before me - His path, His way.

He so surely gives all of us who suffer with chronic illness and pain, comfort and direction in times of doubt and uncertainty. I continue to believe that He directs each and every footstep, decision I make. When I doubt my decisions, a particular choice of treatment, or even my own ability to get through each day, He is there with a gentle reminder of His steadfast love and care.

Enemies for us can be; negative emotions, tests, procedures, pain, doubt, fear, guilt, shame, etc... His righteousness allows us to be directed and see the way He has put before us - His way.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the confidence we gain when we turn to You. You are faithful and You show us the way to turn when we are full of fear and doubt. Help us trust You for what is ahead that we cannot see. Continue to direct our footsteps according to Your will. Thank you for the comfort Your words bring to our souls. Amen

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Denny Dowd lives in Pennsylvania with her cat, Shamrock. Denny is a social worker and she enjoys writing, reading, and volunteering. Denny is the world's biggest Notre Dame Football fan. Denny lives with Chronic Inflammatory Demylineating Polyneuropathy and Cancer and has strong faith that God will see her through even the most difficult of days.

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Build On The Rock

"The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat
against that
house; yet it did not fall, because it had it's foundation on the
Rock."
Matthew 7:25 NIV

Build On The Rock

A few days ago I was watching the news about a rare tornado this time
of year. 
A group of people had taken refuge in a church.  When the tornado came,
it
destroyed that church, but none of the people were harmed, and the
foundation of
the building stood strong.  Seeing this, brought Matthew 7:25 to mind,
as it
does today.  How God is our protector in the midst of storms.

Life has sure changed for me with facing challenges each day with pain
and
fatigue.  Floods of uncertainty come and the storms of medical bills
and
emotions of trying to sort through it all.  I cannot face all of this
alone. 
But I can find protection and peace and rest in my Lord and Savior.
  Through His
grace, love and His word, I build upon Him.  He is my rock and fortress
against
all the storms that come my way.

Christ is our rock today.  We can build on Him as the only foundation.
  Are you
resting on Christ?  You can!  Come to Him and rest in Him.  You can
build upon
Him and have a life of peace.  He will protect us from the storms that
come. 
Each of us face those floods and winds in many ways.  With a
relationship with
Christ, we are no longer alone.  When pain and fatigue pushes upon us
through
the day, we can turn to Him in prayer for strength and rest.  He will
calm our
hearts and minds.  Taking our fears because He is our rock, our
foundation.  Our
flesh is weak, and life's storms can beat on us in mighty waves.  But
through
the pain and the struggles we have a Savior who will hold back the
floods.  Our
foundation will remain strong when built upon Him.  He is our Rock!!

Heavenly Father,
I pause now so that you can quiet my heart and mind amongst the storms
of life. 
Allowing me to hear Your voice, which brings all that we need each day.
  Thank
you for being my Savior, my foundation and strength.   Amen

Margie Scott lives in Chandler, Arizona, with her son, James. She
enjoys reading, writing, sewing, and spending time with her family.
Margie strives each day to trust God's grace will always provide as
challenges arise related to living with, Parkinsons, Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome, and Fibromyalgia.

Say Yes When You Feel No

“I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:20-22 NIV)

Today my legs are burning and hurting and frankly, I don’t feel much like worshiping God.  Do you ever have days like this? Those of us dealing with chronic pain probably have more of these days than we would like to admit.  It is such a temptation in days like this to just focus on our circumstances and to make faithless judgments about what’s happening in our lives.  It is often a struggle to comprehend the truth that God is in the circumstances of our lives—ALL circumstances.

We must consider that difficulties are part of God’s “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. (Jeremiah 29:11NIV).  Whenever I stop to meditate on the fact that God wants us to know he can heal our hurts and can even use them for His benefit, I am comforted.  I find a most positive action is asking “How can I use my pain to grow closer to the Lord and to do His will”?

God is all knowing and thus knows His plans for our lives.  God calls us to faith in Him during difficult circumstances.  Trust in Him and He will show us the way—because he is the Way.  Jesus embraced the pain of God’s plan for His life, and He did it with full faith that God was still working the plan to bring a “hope and a future” to your life and mine. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

Prayer: Lord, help us when faced with painful or difficult circumstances, to ask God, “How do you want me to respond to this?”  As we do so, Lord, give us your peace and comfort that passes all understanding.

Patricia Armstrong lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with her husband, Richard. She is a retired teacher. Patricia enjoys serving in her church and church conference center in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. She deals with pain from a nerve disease but finds peace in knowing difficult circumstances are opportunities for one to intentionally focus one’s faith on God and to grow closer to Him.