Chronic Illness Pain Devotionals

Refined In The Fire

"But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold." (Job 23:10 NIV)

The physician I see when I travel from Pennsylvania to Ohio lacks people skills. Recently, he told me that if I don't do the horrendous treatments being proposed I shouldn't expect to live past 5 months. His inflection never changed, his manner didn't warm up, and he offered nothing in the way of support or comfort. After he dropped this bombshell, he left the room, leaving me in a state of shock.

While I have come to expect this of him, it still catches me off guard when it happens.

While this earthly man had no reaction to the news he delivered, my heavenly Father instantly offered me His words of comfort and peace. A Scripture fragment came to mind: "He knows the way I take." In my shock and dismay, I couldn't remember where it came from, but it gave me a lifeline to grab on to.

God, the Creator, the Almighty One, knows the "way" - the journey I have been on. He wasn't surprised (although I was) and has begun to prepare what I will need on the last leg of this journey. I have to believe that the Father has factored cancer into His plan for me and that He did it long before I was even aware of it. His eyes have been on me; He has held me in His tender hands.

He has been with me when I have received news that has shaken me to my very core. The word "cancer," doesn't send Him running from the room.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You rush to bring me assurance that You know exactly where I am. There is nothing ahead of me that can detour Your will for my life. You are my God forever and ever and You will be my guide to the end. May this furnace of testing show the true colors of my faith in You, and may I come forth as gold. Amen.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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.

A Kitten's Trust

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)(NIV).

The furry paw, then arm, frantically poked through the cage door. Feeling trapped and scared, the kitten looked at me and let out a feeble, squeaking meow, asking to be saved from his present circumstances and the unknown. As we rode, I placed my hand on his so he could feel my presence. I spoke softly, told him everything was going to be all right. After several minutes he settled onto his blanket and lay down. Still, his eyes were upon me - but for the moment anyway, he could rest.

He didn’t know what lied ahead – that he was going to have surgery. I knew the procedure would be for his good, but he had no idea what was coming. He didn’t know that he would wake up feeling pain and discomfort. But with his eyes upon me and the sound of my soothing voice, he was able to proceed towards the unknown.

We are, in a way, much like that kitten, not knowing what our futures hold. We feel trapped by pain and illness, caged in by it. Like the kitten’s meow, we let out cries to our God, asking Him to save us from what we are going through and an unknown future.

Just like the kitten feels comfort from my voice, I am learning to hear God’s voice and accept His reassurance. I keep my eyes upon Him, longing only to know Him and rest in Him as He helps me proceed towards my unknown. He knows what my future holds, knows that I may have more pain and discomfort - that I will have more trials and suffering. But He also knows that everything yet to happen to me will work together for my good.

God’s Word never fails. His eyes are upon us. He helps us move towards an uncertain future. Everything will be OK.

“Dear God, our eyes are fixed upon You. We look to You, rest in You, knowing You are here with us as we confront whatever lies ahead. 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. You may write to her at dorisfarley@aol.com.

Check MailCompose

True Sight

True Sight

"Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10 NIV)

I have been told by my team of physicians that my right eye needs to be removed. I have not been able to see out of it for months, but even though I can't see out of it, and never will again, I can't make the decision for it to be removed. According to one of my physicians, "It is a like a time bomb strapped to your head just waiting to explode and release more cancer cells into your body."

While logically I know that removing it is probably in my best interest, I am having a difficult time making arrangements for its removal. I am at the point in my disease where I need to make decisions related to quantity vs. quality and I am paralyzed by fear. The decision about my eye is just the first of many similar decisions I am being asked to make. The enormity of the many decisions being asked of me has been overwhelming.

I have talked with God about the desires of my heart. He knows what they are - I want to live. I have been asking Him to heal me - in the physical sense of the word. Even more than wanting to live, I want my will to be His will, even if that means my time on earth is almost up.

What I am coming to realize is that doing His will on earth, is what leads to doing His will in heaven.

Prayer: Father, be glorified in my life. I really want my will to be Your will. Mold my will into Yours. Whatever You have in store for me, give me the strength to accept it and to glorify You every step of the way. You made the ultimate sacrifice, help me to know and do Your will on earth as it is in heaven. Amen

Submitting to God

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

The yarn was a hopeless bundle of knots. I had struggled for an hour to untangle it so I could continue my knitting. Frustration mounted inside of me to the brink of tears, “God, help me untangle this mess!”  Within minutes, the yarn was flowing freely, effortlessly.

When living with a chronic pain or illness, it’s easy for our lives to feel like tangled balls of yarn. So often I try to do things on my own, without God’s involvement. Sometimes I make decisions without praying to Him for guidance. It is then that I struggle, and wind up with worry, fear and frustration. But when I submit to God’s plan for my life, trust Him and ask for help, I begin to see Him working. It’s not always immediate, like my experience with the yarn, but as I persistently submit, trust and ask for help, I know I will eventually see God’s assistance and plan fulfilled.

When we do not submit everything to God, and try to manage on our own, we will wind up making a tangled mess of things. But when we go to Him, ask for His help and acknowledge that only He is the ruler of our lives, surely He will be there to show us the way. Whether it’s big things like the best medical approach to treat our chronic condition, or little things like cooking dinner or untangling yarn, God will be there to help us through the challenges. According to His plan, He will truly show us He is at work untangling the knots in our lives.

So whatever tangled mess you’ve made of your life on your own, give that ball of knots to God. Envision now His Almighty Hands taking it from you. Cry out to Him. He will be there to help you unravel it so very effortlessly according to His plan.

Prayer: “Father, we give You our knots to untangle. Help us every moment to weave our life’s tapestry according to Your plan. Amen.”

==================================

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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.

What A Treasure!

“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” Isa 49:16

When my parents passed away, it was my job to go through their house to decide what should be done with everything.  Although it was a time of great sadness and nearly everything I saw catapulted me back to endearing times with one or both of them, it was also a rewarding responsibility.  What treasures I found! 

When I was a little girl, my mom used to make ceramic figurines.  They were so beautiful.  She was so artistic!  She painted fine details on each one with extra special care; they were suitable for display in a museum.  As I was going through her things, I found delicate figurines that had survived the years of raising children, moving, and downsizing for retirement their years. 

I sat there on the floor going through what to me was a treasure chest, remembering where she had displayed them, looking at the details of her artwork, and thinking about the hours she spent carefully planning and constructing each one.  I carefully examined each one, looking at details in sheer amazement at her handiwork.  Forever etched in each doll was her name—that ceramic figurine would forever bear her name.  Immediately I thought of Isaiah 49:16 … “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”

The Lord has inscribed our name on the palm of His hands just like my mother engraved her name on the bottom of each ceramic figurine, to remain there forever.  Have you ever held something in your hand so tightly that when you opened your hand, an imprint of that which you were holding remained?  This is what this verse implies—He holds us so tightly that our imprint remains on His hand. 

When I’m hurting, when the pain is more than I can bear … when the tears of frustration seem to be nonstop, I remember the imprint of my life is ever before my Father.  He opens His hand and there I am!  What a treasure I have found! 

Prayer:  Father, help me to always remember my life is ever before you—forever engraved in the palm of your hands. Amen!

~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~

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 spinal stenosis, fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis and other chronic conditions.  Feel free to contact Jan at jan@janross.org.

Go To The Heart Mender

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5
“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,…”
Isaiah 61:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted…
Psalm 34:18

Medical and Mental Health professionals tell us to avoid stress. But we know that as long as we are drawing breath, we will have stress! It has been shown that even happy events such as birthdays or Christmas can be stressful.

A better idea is to learn to handle stress properly, which is probably different for each of us.

Our bodies do not know the difference between stress caused by emotional factors or physical factors. We will release the appropriate stress hormones in either case. The body does not know if stress is caused by a broken arm, a migraine headache, a chronic illness or emotional heartache.

When I bruised a bone in my arm as a child, my parents rushed me to the hospital. When I tore ligaments in my foot, I saw my doctor so he could take steps to repair it. Perhaps you’ve needed stitches, a cast or surgery.

What do we do, though, when our hearts are hurting? When a loved one is unemployed, hospitalized or enduring some other tough situation that hurts our hearts, where do we go? We go to the One Who is all things, Jesus Christ, Who works in many different ways for us.

He can work through medical professionals to set broken bones, give medicine for an infection, to use x-rays to determine the cause of a symptom. But heartache? Only God fully knows your heart. Only God knows the depth of your heart pain.

Chronic illness and pain can cause a great deal of heart pain. Go to God with it, pour out your heart to Him and trust Him with it. Only He can understand how you truly feel and how it is really affecting you. He loves you and is faithful to His promises for you.

Thank you Lord for the Scriptures; for the reminders that You bind up our wounded and broken hearts. Help us when we are weak to trust in You. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Priscilla Ervin lives in Arlington, TX and deals daily with chronic Epstein Barr, Fibromyalgia and other health issues. At different times during her life, God has sent people to help her know that He is trustworthy, loving and faithful.

Go To The Heart Mender

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5
“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,…”
Isaiah 61:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted…
Psalm 34:18

Medical and Mental Health professionals tell us to avoid stress. But we know that as long as we are drawing breath, we will have stress! It has been shown that even happy events such as birthdays or Christmas can be stressful.

A better idea is to learn to handle stress properly, which is probably different for each of us.

Our bodies do not know the difference between stress caused by emotional factors or physical factors. We will release the appropriate stress hormones in either case. The body does not know if stress is caused by a broken arm, a migraine headache, a chronic illness or emotional heartache.

When I bruised a bone in my arm as a child, my parents rushed me to the hospital. When I tore ligaments in my foot, I saw my doctor so he could take steps to repair it. Perhaps you’ve needed stitches, a cast or surgery.

What do we do, though, when our hearts are hurting? When a loved one is unemployed, hospitalized or enduring some other tough situation that hurts our hearts, where do we go? We go to the One Who is all things, Jesus Christ, Who works in many different ways for us.

He can work through medical professionals to set broken bones, give medicine for an infection, to use x-rays to determine the cause of a symptom. But heartache? Only God fully knows your heart. Only God knows the depth of your heart pain.

Chronic illness and pain can cause a great deal of heart pain. Go to God with it, pour out your heart to Him and trust Him with it. Only He can understand how you truly feel and how it is really affecting you. He loves you and is faithful to His promises for you.

Thank you Lord for the Scriptures; for the reminders that You bind up our wounded and broken hearts. Help us when we are weak to trust in You. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Priscilla Ervin lives in Arlington, TX and deals daily with chronic Epstein Barr, Fibromyalgia and other health issues. At different times during her life, God has sent people to help her know that He is trustworthy, loving and faithful.

Good Morning

“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may

remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”   (Psalm 30:5 NIV)

There is nothing like a terrible night of pain and illness in night’s darkness to perfectly illustrate Psalm 30 verse 5.

Last night, we had a huge rain and snow storm come up from Oklahoma and deluge us with over two inches of rain followed by six inches of ice and snow. With such a drastic change in the barometric pressure, I was unable to find enough comfort to fall asleep.

I dragged myself to the kitchen at 3 a.m. in search of some medicinal relief.  Once I got to sleep, I dreamed of being overrun with mice with their tiny feet scampering all over me. This of course, was my subconscious trying to deal with the numbness and tingling in my legs and feet.  I awoke a third and forth time, only to see it remained dark and quiet.

Forcing myself back to sleep for another two hours, I then awoke to see morning’s daylight in the window. A tremendous relief filled my body and mind at just seeing morning’s light. I then heard a most beautiful, nurturing sound coming from the kitchen: Dee was stirring her morning coffee The fireplace was crackling and the room was cozy and warm while giant, wet snowflakes fell outside; covering everything in a thick blanket of white.

I thought about my days on the church staff, where Sunday mornings like this would have meant getting to the church building by any means necessary, regardless of the blowing and drifting snow. But this morning, rejoicing came more easily as I realized that no one expected anything from me. I could settle back down and rest with the anticipation of gaining much-needed pain relief.

It all served to remind me that no matter how tough life gets, it eventually improves as time moves forward. These difficult times are temporary and a season of rejoicing will come once the long night has passed.

------------------------------------------

About the Author:

Pastor Greg Harvey lives in Kansas City, KS and was forced to step down from his 13-year associate pastor’s music ministry due to degenerative disc disease with two unsuccessful lumbar fusions and cervical degeneration. He His book, “Finding God Faithful in Turbulent Times” is available and may be obtained by contacting him at gaharvey@sunflower.com

Cabin Fever

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

The days were getting shorter and the nights were cooler. I was beginning to dread fall, knowing winter had to follow. At the time we were living in a small basement apartment, with tiny, typically high windows. Soon we’d have to keep the solid inside door leading from the driveway to the kitchen closed all the time.

I was a stay-at-home Mom then, with a young school-aged son. I worried that I might get the flu and be stuck in there for days perhaps.

Well, during the cold weather of that winter I did get sick and had to stay in for awhile. But something else happened too. I was able to spend some extended quiet periods with the Lord. It turned out to be a precious time of intimacy with Him that made the experience more than worthwhile.

Because of the limitations a chronic illness often puts on us, any one of us may find ourselves “shut in” and alone during this time of the year. God doesn’t condemn us for our frustrations. But, after telling Him how we feel,  let’s try asking the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of our hearts to see the special blessings He brings at just such times.

He doesn’t necessarily tell us what His purpose is while we’re in the trying situation, but we can learn to trust Him in His plan to make us more like His dear Son, and to glorify Himself in some way through us, right where we are.

May you too be encouraged by the words of the hymn that comes to my mind when I think about this experience I had many years ago: “You fearful saints, fresh courage take; / The clouds you so much dread / Are big with mercy, and shall break / In blessings on your head” (from “God Moves in a Mysterious Way,” by William Cowper).

_______________________________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Beth Cottrill lives in a small town in rural Saskatchewan, Canada, with her recently retired pastor/teacher husband, Bob. She finds living with Attention Deficit Disorder, osteo-arthritis and a stroke of several years ago a challenge, but also training for a ministry to others. This couple have one child, a dear son, a special daughter-in-law, who with their two wonderful young children are living in Mexico, preparing for a church planting ministry.

Is Your Pain God's Will?

Luke 22:42..."Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done." In the Old Testament, the cup is often used as the symbol of divine wrath against sin. On the very next day, Jesus Christ would bear the sins of many and the fullness of divine wrath would fall on His shoulders. This was the price of sin that He, Jesus, bore and He paid it in full. His cry of anguish in Matt. 27 ("My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?") expresses the extreme level of bitterness of the cup of wrath He was given. However, this does not imply that there was any conflict between the will of the Father and the will of the Son. It was a perfectly normal expression of His humanity that He would shrink from the cup of divine wrath. Those of us who experience pain on a daily basis have some of the same normal expressions as we live our humanity. But even though the cup was ugly and painful beyond perception, He willingly took it, because it was the will of the Father.

Have you ever wondered if what you are experiencing is the will of the Father? Is it possible that there is something or someone at work producing something far greater than your comfort from pain? I experience pain that, at some times, literally brings me to tears and still I know that there are others out there in far worse shape than I am. I want so strongly, to follow the will of the Father, no matter how much is hurts. What we see in this prayer is that Jesus was consciously, deliberately, and voluntarily turning over all of His human desires to the Father's perfect will. So there was no conflict between the Father and the Son, or between the deity of Christ and His human desires. I see so much more of the Father in my life when I turn "my desires" over to His will.

Today, you are reading this devotion and you don't know how to get the hurt to stop and the peace to flow within your spirit. The level of pain is so intense you cannot concentrate on Jesus or the Father or spiritual matters at all. You need to close your eyes and allow the next verse (22:43..."Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.") to minister to you. Realize that your situation may have far reaching consequences to others as they see you carry your cross. I'm not speaking "out of school." I know exactly what I am talking about and have a pretty good idea of what you are feeling. You can't fix it. So why not ask God to comfort you while you experience it? You'll be blessed and so may someone else.

I pray that God would be just the ointment you need today.

Dave

About the Author
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Dave Stallings lives in Phoenix , Arizona with his wife of 36 years, Barbara, who also suffers a serious Fibromyalga and MCS, and their dog, Captain Jack…along with their kids and grand kids ! Dave is a semi-retired pastor and loves to blog on his personal web page since being diagnosed with Stage IV incurable non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma two and a half years ago...his motto is “It is what it is and God is not surprised”….his website is www.nowwhut.org and his blog is www.nowwhataz.blogspot.com, and he can be reached by email at mailto:dstallings2@qwest.net.