Chronic Illness Pain Devotionals

He Knows

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV)

Those of you who read these devotionals know about my PEACE flag. It is posted above my bed now as I write this from the hospital. My heart was quite troubled on the long drive to Ohio and lately I have been emotional. My adjustment to the loss of my right eye is taking a lot longer than I expected and no matter how hard I try and breeze right past it, my mind won’t let me. Peace has been far from my grasp the past few weeks.

The reactions I have had to it include a gentleman from my church who said, “My daughter said that you look cool and like a pirate.” to an older woman who works in my office who asked, “When will you get the patch off and be able to see again?” when I explained that the eye was removed, she burst in to tears. A little boy about 4 years old sat in front of me in church and also decided it was cool because he covered one of his eyes with his hand and was playing one-eyed peek-a-boo with me. The kids seem to think it is cool, the adults either don’t know what to say or just pretend it isn’t there.

As I inch ever closer to losing this fight with disease, I expected resignation to rear its ugly head - and it has. Losing my eye was the beginning of this resignation and it is still trying to take over my otherwise stubborn Irish nature. I am tired and worn out from this long battle and it seems that once I meet and deal with one challenge, another no sooner takes its place.

Trying to not "let my heart be troubled" and not "be afraid" takes every ounce of strength I have left and it is draining. I need to find His peace among the daily challenges and allow it to put me in a place of acceptance rather than resignation. Accepting the fact that I am going to die sounds a bit better than resigning myself to death, doesn't it?

Prayer: Lord may you allow your peace to come over those who suffer with illness and disease like a comforting blanket. May we never forget that Yours was the ultimate suffering and that You died so that each of us might have eternal life with You. Give us Your peace and comfort. Amen
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
About the author: Denny lives in Pennsylvania with her cat, Shamrock. Denny is a social worker and she enjoys writing, reading, and volunteering. She 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.

The Rainbow

Genesis 9:13, I have set my rainbow in the

clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant

between me and the earth.

 

A rainbow has many different colors and is one of the most

beautiful things God has created. However to see a good

rainbow, there has to be rain

 

Here in Iowa we have had so much rain that things

are flooding, roads are closed, many people

have had to evacuate because of the flooding and

backing up of water.  We need to see a rainbow for

us to know it is now okay, and that God has said the

rain is done.

 

Genesis 9:13, I have set my rainbow in the

clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant

between me and the earth.  

Here in Iowa we have had so much rain that things

are flooding, roads are closed, many people

have had to evacuate because of the flooding and

backing up of water.  We need to see a rainbow for

us to know it is now okay, and that God has said the

rain is done.

 

Many of us have lives that are like the flooding.  We

have so many health problems, financial problems, and

many other things that we can not enjoy life.  If you

are one living in Chronic pain you understand what it

means when someone says "Into each life some rain

must fall."

 

Look for rainbows, those blessings, or scripture that

God has given for you to look at that give you joy and

peace.  It may be family, or it may be a scripture verse,

but there is something God has given you that blesses

you.  When you see this rainbow... know that this is

something from God to give you a promise, that he will

come again, when he does it will be all okay.

 

Father we need rainbows in our lives. Show us Lord those

rainbows that we can look to that will encourage us and

bless us. In Jesus name... AMEN...

 

~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~ *~*~*~*~*

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, and is a freelance writer with Christian
newpapers, books, Internet, etc. His Devotional page is...
http://fibromyalgiahelp.homestead.com/RevPatsDevotional.html  
Contact him at rivpat77@msn.com

The Fern And The Bamboo

"'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"
Hebrews 13:5 NIV

One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my
spirituality. ... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one
last talk with God.
'God', I said. 'Can you give me one good reason not to quit?'
His answer surprised me.
'Look around', He said. 'Do you see the fern and the bamboo?'
'Yes', I replied.
'When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of
them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the
earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the
bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again,
nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
'In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not
quit. The same in year four.
'Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.
Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant.
But just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and
gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a
challenge it could not handle.
'Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you
have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo.. I will
never quit on you.

'Don't compare yourself to others.' He said. 'The bamboo had a different
purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.
'Your time will come', God said to me. 'You will rise high'
'How high should I rise?' I asked.

'How high will the bamboo rise? He asked in return.
'As high as it can?' I questioned.

'Yes.' He said, 'Give me glory by rising as high as you can.'

I left the forest, realizing that God will never give up on me. And He will
never give up on you.

Never regret a day in your life.

Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are
essential to life.

**********************************************************************************

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The author of today's devotion is unknown.  It was submitted by Kay DeCarlo,
Devotion Coordinator for Rest Ministries.  Kay lives with her husband Joe and
two furry dog-type children, Daphne Mae and Alice in Connecticut.  Kay struggles
with Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Bipolar Disoder and Type 2 Diabetes.

Find Joy In The Simple Things Of Life

“The angel of the LORD encamps around those
who fear Him, and He delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7 NIV)


Do you find yourself struggling? Do you find that due
to your chronic ailments you are making major decisions
that are not only necessary but essential to your mental
health? 

One of the illnesses that I live with is Bipolar Disorder. It
is an illness that affects my moods and my mental health. 
I can go from periods of severe depression to a manic state.
Six years ago, I had a bad reaction to prednisone and became
psychotic. I found myself hospitalized with a nervous
breakdown. There were a lot of stressors in my life that led to
this. Since then, I have been working very hard with my 
psychiatrist, (who is also my therapist), making changes that
that impact the quality of my being. 

I have learned to find more joy in my life. I have found new
interests and have evenfound a 12 month home-study course that
I am now embraced in. I am making new friends. I am searching for
new directions in mylife.  When depression and sadness starts to
enter my life, I allow myself the opportunity to acknowledge my
feelings, but not stay stuck in them Instead, I’ll watch an “I Love
Lucy” show, that makes me laugh.

How about you beloved….what brings you joy? Do old movies 
interest you? Do your pets make you happy? What about the
children in your life? When faced with chronic illness it is
essential to our well-being to find ways to escape from the pain,
(both physical and emotional). Light a candle, drink herbal tea,
curl up with a good book. Find happiness in the simple things 
of life. 

Hear God’s Word, “’I will instruct you and teach you in the way
you should go….’”Psalm 32:8 NIV Call on God’s righteous Name. 
He loves you and longs for you to be happy and to find joy once again. 

God’s Blessings.
******************************************************************************
About The Author: 

Kay DeCarlo, Devotion Coordinator for Rest Ministries, lives not only
with Bipolar Disorder, but also, Dilated Cardiomyopathy, (a form of
Congestive Heart Failure), Panic Disorder and Type 2 Diabetes .
She and her husband Joe, reside in beautiful southern New England
(Connecticut) with their two furry dog type children, Daphne Mae and
Alice. As a survivor of Hodgkin’s Disease and Congestive Heart
Failure, Kay has never lost sight that God is bigger than any trial
nor circumstance she faces. She prays that you will be blessed and
find joy in the simple things of life. 

The Greening Of The Prairies

As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” (Genesis 8:22) Blue has always been my favourite colour, but I’ve come to appreciate green more and more–especially since moving to the prairies from lush southern Ontario, where the climate provides it in more abundance. During May and June, I watch our landscape here change from barren brown and pale straw colours into the fresh greens of spring. The grass, the leafing trees, and later the wheat and other crops, transform the scenery from the withered death of winter to vibrant new life. How beautiful it is! How uplifting and invigorating! Other colours appear too. Flowers of every hue. Acres of brilliant, almost blinding, yellow canola, and sky blue flax. Large sections of canola next to wheat and other greens provide a breathtaking contrast. Fragrant blossoms of pink and white fill fruit trees. These along with various shades of lilacs delight our senses. Oh to be immersed in this lovely time of year, when nature displays God’s creativity and love of variety! It would be wonderful to be able to store it up for future months, when ice and snow cover the landscape–and when we who suffer with chronic illnesses or disabilities are forced to stay inside more than ever. The verse above declares the seasons will continue on the earth as long as it remains. This is God’s sure promise, made to Noah after the flood. And He keeps His word. Let us choose, then, to trust our dependable Father to care for us in all the varied periods of our lives. As the hymn says, “Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, / Sun, moon and stars in their courses above, / Join with all nature in manifold witness / To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. / Great is Thy Faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! / Morning by morning new mercies I see; / All I have needed Thy hand hath provided– / Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!” ________________________________________ 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, depression, 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

The Rock

"Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.” (Isaiah 26:4 NIV)

 

My husband recently gave me a rock. No, he wasn’t mad at me . . . it’s a beautiful polished oval rock that sits in a holder on my desk. I always see patterns and such on the rocks he has given me. Yes, that was plural - I’m a member of his companies’ Rock of the Month club!

 

Anyhow, this particular rock has a pattern of a solitary figure sitting on a tree branch. I thought this was perfect.  It really is beautiful, but also kind of sad. The solitary figure reminds me how chronic illness frequently isolates a person.

 

Since my devotional times are spent either in bed or at my desk, my eyes often glance at this rock as I approach our Father in prayer. Recently, having just looked at the rock, I poured out to God how I felt like that solitary figure I saw represented on my rock. Heaven was pretty silent on the matter.

 

A little while later, my eyes again glanced at my rock and I noticed it had been knocked a little askew on its holder. Suddenly an idea occurred to me and I went ahead and turned it completely sideways. A perfect cross was now the focal point!

 

That is when the Spirit spoke to my heart. In my life, I can focus on the negatives or I can focus on the cross. The choice is mine, but it will make all the difference. Remembering what Jesus suffered for me, my suffering is minor by comparison. Instead of sorrow, thankfulness fills me!

 

Now I have the perfect representation of the cross on my desk.

What a great gift! How good of God to remind me!!

****************************************************

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Christy Brewster and her husband live on the Oregon coast. She lives with MS and Diabetes. Her writing goal is found in Psalm 19:14, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

 

His Temple

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV)

I visited three temples this week. At one we celebrated a birthday. The temple was showing its age, but it was a splendid, joyous party.  The second temple I visited had been damaged by an unfortunate accident. I learned that it could never be properly repaired, but it was still used to reverently worship God. The third temple, I learned, had also been damaged, but by human hands. Nonetheless, it was special and I sensed God’s love and presence there.

These temples were not made of mortar, brick and concrete. They were people - like you and me - who suffer from chronic pain or illness. The first woman suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, but still joyfully celebrates life. The second was injured in a car accident, but still knows that God is with her every step. The third lives in terrible pain caused by a surgical error, but knows even with every painful breath that God loves her.

 

God’s presence, His holiness, lives inside each of these temples. It makes me wonder, do I also see my body as a temple, or do I hold it in disrespect, because it frustrates, fatigues and pains me so? Do I really believe that God values this body?

 

God wants us to dedicate ourselves completely to Him - deep inside - to give every part, our body, mind, emotions, pain, disability, illness  - everything as a living sacrifice to Him. When we do, we become an instrument for His mercy, love and righteousness, a vessel for His Holy Spirit, a conduit for His compassion and love.

 

Let us remember that our bodies are temples, no matter what we think or feel! No matter what their condition, they are temples of our Most High God, for His Spirit of Life. God desires our temples, and even in their present forms they are something to be loved and respected.

 

Prayer: “Dear Lord, forgive us for thinking less of ourselves than we should. Help us to remember each day that our bodies are temples to You, loved and respected by You, for the dwelling of Your Spirit. 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

Jesus Calms Our Storms

"That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." "Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm." (Mark 4 35-39 NIV) We have been dealing with tornadoes and flooding in Iowa in the last month. The waters are still high in a lot of Iowa towns, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines being 2 of the many. Fervent prayers are going up for those that have lost homes, crops and property. I am sure that in all the turmoil and destruction that many people have cried out to God their Maker for help and for protection. Sometimes we with Chronic Pain feel like we are in the midst of a terrible flood or storm. We can feel alone, scared and wondering what is going to happen to our lives. This is when we need to know that Jesus can and will rebuke our storm for us. He is just waiting for us to call on His name and trust Him. When we call upon Him with trust and belief we ignite the flame that will start a work in us. That precious work of the Lord will remove the fear and dread. It will show us that He will see us through with His gentle love and care no matter what we are going through. Father God... we ask for your love and protection upon all of us. Help us to trust You in all things. Be the hedge of protection over us and the flame that ignites our faith in You... in Jesus holy name we ask... Amen. ~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~ *~*~*~ 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, Absence Seizures and Neuropathy, and her husband had a brain tumor that left him disabled. They are still actively involved in Chronic Pain Support Ministry through the Internet and as Christian Freelance writers. Write Nancy at nancierose@msn. com and visit her Chronic Pain Web Site at... http://Fibromyalgiahelp.homestead. com/index.html ~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~ *~*~*~

Shattered Hopes

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  (John 14:6)

Back in my days as an aspiring singer/songwriter, I penned a song that I often sing to myself.  I had no clue just how appropriate the words would one day be for me, but now they are truer than they were then.  I’d like to share the words, even if I cannot share the melody.

The title of the song is “Shattered Hopes and Broken Dreams.”

Shattered hopes and broken dreams
Point to where I’ve been.
Shattered hopes and broken dreams
And starting, once again.

Shattered hopes and broken dreams
Nothing left to do
Shattered hopes and broken dreams
Are all You’ve left me to.

You take the pain that I feel
Somehow, You feel it, too.
And when I lay it at your feet,
The pain is shared by you.

Now I must take you at Your word,
You’ll do the things you say.
I know that I must trust in You,
There is no other way.

For shattered hopes and broken dreams
Point to where I’ve been
Shattered hopes and broken dreams
And starting, once again.

Shattered hopes and broken dreams
Nothing left but to do.
Shattered hopes and broken dreams
Are my road back to You.

The major gift, if you will, that my illnesses have given me, is the realization of my utter and complete reliance on my Savior.  For me, I truly believe … there is no other way.

About The Author: 

deni weber  lives in Valpo, Indiana and has been challenged with Ankylosing Spondylistis, Celiac Sprue, Atrial Fibrillation, and other chronic conditions.  deni sees God leading her on a “parade of daily adventures” towards knowing His love, mercy, and grace.

Giving Up Control To God

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

 

When I became a Christian some 25 years ago, this is the first Bible verse I memorized.  Looking back, I think God was giving me a firm foundation to stand on knowing all the trials that would cross my walk with Him.  He is also quite familiar with how my mind works.  I am always and forever trying to figure things out, which puts a big X though the “Lean not on your own understanding” part of this verse. 

 

When you are chronically ill everything in life becomes an issue. My income is limited so I am continually sent into a tailspin when anything out of the ordinary happens.  The “what ifs” get bigger with each passing moment. I desperately want to feel safe and secure and when things look out of my control I don’t.

 

But last night the Lord began to minister this to my heart. My job, my home, my family, my income, my health, there is absolutely NOTHING in this world I can tie a rope around and finally say “There, now I know that will never fail and finally I will have some measure of security.”

 

I have to be honest it is a bit unnerving to know anything at any time can fail.  But I know this testing of our faith must come. I think God is saying we must not predict what the outcome will be in the beginning or the middle of the test.  I am not to consider the circumstances or my feelings because God is not through with it yet.  All that He requires of me is that I trust and acknowledge Him.  In other words believe that He is God.  Not one moment of my life has taken Him by surprise. He, from the beginning of time already had the supply in place for every need I would have.

 

Prayer:  Father I pray today this verse will become part of who we are in our relationship with you and that our rope will always be tied to you and you alone.

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

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Catherine Barron lives in Sheridan, Montana with her daughter Laura.  She is semi retired and enjoys reading, writing and her new passion photography.  Catherine considers her illness a formidable teacher