Chronic Illness Pain Devotionals

Fruits of Suffering

 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you have trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

(James 1: 2-5 NIV)

 

My title may be confusing and cause you to ask, "How can suffering be fruitful?" I read somewhere that God has eight purposes for suffering: to produce fruit, to silence the devil, to glorify God, to make us more like Jesus, to teach us dependence, to refine our lives, to rebuke sin, and to enlarge God's ministry.

 

Illness has caused me to suffer frequently, but never did I think it would lead me to enlarge God's ministry, in a roundabout way though, it has. Each time I go for treatment, procedures, surgery, etc... I have opportunities to tell others about Him. My "Peace Flag" has caused patients, technicians, doctors, nurses, cleaning staff, and many others to ask what it is for and what it means. My response often leads to discussions about faith. I find it so amazing that people are open and appreciative when someone they don't know asks them about their lives and prayer needs.

 

At the Medical Center where I receive most of my care, there is a young parking attendant who rushes to my car each morning when he sees me arrive. He is always ready with a wheelchair waiting and he parks my car only to return and wheel me to the building where I get treatment. Most people pass him by without saying a word to him, often a glint of fear in their eyes - he is Iranian. On my third or fourth trip to this Medical Center after he saw me struggling with my walker, he offered to park my car, I thanked him in Farsi (guessing this might be his native tongue). That small gesture on my part made a connection with him that stands to this day. It has also led him to ask about the "Peace Flag" and a few weeks ago I gave him a bible in Farsi. This has led to some lively discussions as he wheels me to treatment and to and from my car.

 

When I am suffering the most that is when it seems God uses me to reach others. Never would I have thought suffering could have a positive by-product, but it has. When you are feeling your worst, remember that God may intend to use you to do His best. Let Him use your suffering for positive gain - you can trust He will give you the right words to say because His Spirit will speak through you.

 

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

 

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.

 

These devotionals are copyright Rest Ministries, 2008. All rights reserved. Feel free to forward to a friend, but let us know if you'd like to request permission to send it to more than 10 people (like a list group.) Thank you!

God's Reset Button

"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." (Psalm 90:14 NIV)

 

Just the fact that we wake up every morning should be a reason in itself to sing for joy and be glad all day at the wonder of God.

 

Have you ever thought about what happens to our bodies when we fall asleep?  It's truly remarkable.  Our heart rate slows, along with our breathing, and a  completely different part of our brain takes over.  Our brain and body work all

night long to reverse what we did to it all day.  All night, our skin toils to repair the

damage from staying in the sun too long.  It tries desperately to regain the  elasticity that the sun pulls out of it.  Our brain runs through its checklist of "reset

buttons" that it pushes all night long to "process" everything that happened during the day. This "process" sometimes comes through our consciousness as dreams, or nightmares if we'd been through something traumatic that day.

 

Our body does the best it can to create the optimum environment for us to

awake the next morning feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day.  If you are like me though, my Fibromyalgia steals some of this away from me.  My sleep is far from restorative because I am not able to fall into that deep REM sleep very long and it is this sleep that is needed to allow our body to heal itself.

 

The body is an amazing, wondrous work of art.  God created all of this that we call "ourselves" and he was able to put us together in such a way that we could reverse some of the damage he no doubt knew we'd inflict on ourselves.

 

Prayer:  God, just the thought of my body and how it works makes me stand in awe of the things you can do.  Instil in me a sense of pride when it comes to my

body, so that I would endeavor to keep it as the temple you envisioned it to be.  I should spend more time taking care of the body you have entrusted me with.

 

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

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Marisa Gary lives in Ormond Beach, FL with her husband Robert, three children and Annie the Dog. She was diagnosed with

Fibromyalgia in 2004 at the age of 32.  Read her blog at www.marisagary.com

 

 

These devotionals are copyright Rest Ministries, 2008. All rights reserved. Feel free to forward to a friend, but let us know if you'd like to request permission to send it to more than 10 people (like a list group.) Thank you!

Children of the King

“Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”  (John 1:12 NIV)

 

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”  (1 John 3:1 NIV)

 

Are you defined by your illness? This question has probably been asked countless times. It’s easy for us who are living with chronic pain and/or illness to answer “yes”. The pain and illness have become such a way of life that it can become difficult to separate me --- who I am --- from the pain and illness itself. There are days when it’s particularly hard to focus on anything but the pain.

 

The pain and I seem to have become one entity. Before chronic illness and pain, I was an active wife, mother, volunteer, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt and most of all, daughter of God. Events good and bad happened to me, but I was not defined by them.

 

A better question, then, would be “am I defined by anything other than a child of the King?”.

 

Why should I let illness and pain define who I am? I do not want to confuse what I do and what happens to me with who I am. I was a daughter of the King before illness and I am a daughter of the King since becoming ill.

 

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood…”

 

This verse (1 Peter 2:9) was once on the cover of our church bulletin, with members names printed all over the page. How meaningful to see your name along with such a verse! Write this or another meaningful verse on a piece of paper, then write your name all over the paper and discover how it makes you feel.

 

God loved you before your illness and He loves you still. As a Christian, whether you made that choice before or after the onset of illness, you are His child -- royalty! He loves you no less now than He ever did.

 

Being His son or daughter is the first definition of who we are. Artist, teacher, nurse, whatever else we are, comes after.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Priscilla Ervin, Arlington, TX, lives with chronic Epstein Barr, Fibromyalgia and other health issues. She is so thankful to be a child of God.

 

These devotionals are copyright Rest Ministries, 2008. All rights reserved. Feel free to forward to a friend, but let us know if you'd like to request permission to send it to more than 10 people (like a list group.) Thank you!

Making a Way in the Wasteland

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.  (Isaiah 43:18,19 NIV)

 

One of the less kind comments I have heard about a person is “S/he is just a waste of space.” Have you ever felt like a “wasteland”?  I know I have.  I have felt hopeless, helpless, and useless.  Yes …. I have felt like a waste of space – a wasteland.

 

Recently I reread this verse and just sat and let it kind of melt into me.  “Forget the former things.”  “Do not dwell on the past.”  I felt God speaking to me!  How often I whine and complain, looking back at my “former life.”  I barely even recognize the me that is now, compared to the former me:  The one who could work, socialize, go to movies, have fun.  Those things seem so far away.

 

Yet, here is God telling me not to dwell on that!  That He is doing a new thing!  That in this desert wasteland, He is doing something wonderful.  He will make the way and it will be a glorious one.  And not only will He make a way, the verse tells me he is MAKING a way.  Now. 

 

He asks if I perceive it.  How can I when I dwell on the past and immerse myself in self pity?  Here is God himself, telling me I CAN control my thoughts.  I CAN look to the here and now and to the future.  I can anticipate the new thing He is doing, even if, at this moment, I cannot see it.  He promises that He is making a way.  A way in the wasteland. 

 

Prayer:  Father God, sometimes it is so hard to understand your ways.  How hard it can be for me to trust these promises You give me.  But I have my “marching orders” directly from you.  Forget the past.  Don’t dwell on it.  Stay in here and now and look with anticipation to the glorious future ahead.  I humbly thank You for Your words.  Amen.

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

 

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.

 

 

 

These devotionals are copyright Rest Ministries, 2008. All rights reserved. Feel free to forward to a friend, but let us know if you'd like to request permission to send it to more than 10 people (like a list group.) Thank you!

Watching Through the Night

"On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." (Psalm 63: 6-8 NIV)

 

In this Psalm David is in the wilderness and he allows his difficult surroundings to bring to his heart reminders of God's perfect power, glory and loving care for His people. Instead of focusing on his hunger and thirst, David uses those realities of physical life to illustrate how much he wants to know God. David can do this because of what he tells us in verse 6, "I sing in the shadow of your wings." David spent a lot of time meditating on God's character and remembering all God had done in his life, so it came naturally to him to trust God and thereby have peace.

 

Nighttime in hospitals is always a difficult time for me, especially when I cannot sleep. Tonight while reading I came across the above Psalm and it caused me to stop and think about all the goodness God has placed in my life. While I don't consider cancer as falling in to the goodness column, there are other things because of the cancer that fall in to that column. For whatever reason, I am still here, and each day is an opportunity for me to thank God for another day. He always seems to put before me a Scripture verse that will encourage me or point out a different perspective on a circumstance that I find myself in. It is during these times that I feel safe and under His protection.

 

My hope for each of you reading this is that you will sing today, because you have spent time meditating on God's character, remembering all His goodness to you and enjoying that safest of places - under His wings.

 

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

 

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.

 

 

These devotionals are copyright Rest Ministries, 2008. All rights reserved. Feel free to forward to a friend, but let us know if you'd like to request permission to send it to more than 10 people (like a list group.) Thank you!

Life's Complexities

 “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)

 

Ways and paths–there are lots from which to choose.  I don’t think I’m the only one who finds life getting more complex all the time. Seems to me “they” were telling us a few years ago that computers were going to simplify things. Not so. Now we have to deal with spam, viruses, identity theft, and other undesirables. Yes, this phenomenon has given us some wonderful help, but also many new challenges.

And dare I mention shopping? Looking for some ground beef in the supermarket, I discovered it came in regular, lean, extra lean, and something called “market cut ground beef.” Not knowing what that meant, and being too tired to ask, I  chose my usual. Shortly after, I was reading the description of a certain walking shoe in a catalogue. As well as white, it also came in a “sports white.” Come again?

Having Attention Deficit Disorder means I get easily distracted, and find decision making difficult. The increasing variety of choices in products and services, though positive in some ways, gives me more hassles and increased anxiety. Those of us who are coping with chronic illness, pain, or disability, find that this crisis of complexity is compounded by obstacles others find hard to understand. Our hearts cry out for a more focused, peaceful lifestyle.

Although there are periods in our lives that are bound to be more stressful, we need to make an effort to simply things, in order to move closer to being who God designed us to be. In our distress we must turn to Him, confessing with David, “When my spirit grows faint within me, it is You who know my way” (Psalm 142:3). We can ask Him for guidance, and for the courage to make the necessary changes. The Living Bible paraphrases Proverbs 3:6, “In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.”

 ________________________________________

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.

 

These devotionals are copyright Rest Ministries, 2008. All rights reserved. Feel free to forward to a friend, but let us know if you'd like to request permission to send it to more than 10 people (like a list group.) Thank you!

My Hiding Place

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance,” (Psalms 32:7 NIV).

When I was little, my brother had a fort in our backyard. Whenever we played outside I could always find him in his fort playing with his G.I. Joe or his Stretch Armstrong. He could play alone for hours in this makeshift hideout. His fort was his favorite hiding place.

Have you ever had one of those days when you hid from the world? A day when you simply wanted to stay home? A day when you kept the blinds closed and the curtains drawn? When you turned the phone ringer off and just hid from the world?

I admit I’ve been known to hide out for a day or two. Chronic illness demands days like this on my calendar, both planned and unexpected. These days are not just a luxury, but a necessity. Sometimes I must physically s-t-o-p! The pain from my illness can be excruciating and require bed rest. Weakness can make even walking a challenge and change any plans I may have made for that day. Hiding then becomes my only plan.

This particular type of hiding is refreshing. It’s renewing, reviving and invigorating. I spend the day in bed reading, praying, writing, listening to my favorite cds and enjoying my hideout. I cherish the days I get to stay in my comfy pajamas all day. I have no control over my need for days like this, but I certainly have absolute control over my attitude surrounding it.

I choose to be positive and look at my “hideout days” as my very own time with God. I look forward to them and actually visualize myself physically wrapped in His arms. HE is my hiding place. I can rest in His arms and He will protect me. Chronic illness is a constant struggle, but hiding away with God is the choice I’m gladly making today. Right now there is nowhere else I’d rather be than in my hiding place.

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

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kristen Reyna is a creative dramatist and writer who lives with CIDP. Her passion is to relate to others through shared struggles and fill their hearts with refreshing hope and encouragement. Visit her at www.cidpandme.blogspot.com or check out her website at www.kristenreyna.com.

 

 

These devotionals are copyright Rest Ministries, 2008. All rights reserved. Feel free to forward to a friend, but let us know if you'd like to request permission to send it to more than 10 people (like a list group.) Thank you!

The Only Answer We Need

“Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me…I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”” (John 14:1, 6 NIV).

Numerous lab and diagnostic tests with inconclusive results; Strange symptoms that at times become worrisome; Pain moving throughout our bodies that is unbearable -- such are the concerns that plague many of us who deal with chronic pain. There are days when we want answers – just a sensible medical diagnosis -- but it seems that there are questions that continuously remain. And while the diagnosis of fibromyalgia is acceptable, at times we still become troubled and worry whether something else is going on, especially when a new symptom arises or an existing one worsens.

The medical care for our ailing bodies sometimes makes us feel as if we are trudging through a never-ending garden maze. The shrubs are thick and high and we can’t see through them or over them. We are lost -- somewhere in the middle, and each turn we take doesn’t lead us out, but only provides confusion and another turn!

Jesus knew that we would sometimes be troubled in this human life and that we would at times feel overwhelmed, worried and lost. His answer to us at times like these is simple -- “Trust in Me.”

When we don’t know which way to turn in our medical care and don’t understand why we feel the way that we do, one thing is certain: Jesus knows the Way and He is always at the center of the Truth. So as we’re faced with unanswered questions, we can take a deep breath and simply say, “Jesus”. When we begin to worry whether our diagnosis is correct, again we can breathe, “Jesus”. Even when our arms are being punctured by needles or when we’re laying in an MRI tube, we can close our eyes and confidently declare, “Jesus”! He is our Way, our Truth and our Life -- the only answer we truly need!

Prayer: “O Jesus! We utter your name with every breath we take! You are our only Way through this life! 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

 

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

 

 

These devotionals are copyright Rest Ministries, 2008. All rights reserved. Feel free to forward to a friend, but let us know if you'd like to request permission to send it to more than 10 people (like a list group.) Thank you!

God is With Us

“...As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5 NIV)

“... Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV)

In the above verses, Joshua was preparing to lead the people to cross the Jordan River into the land the Lord had promised them. God reassured him that He would be with them always and wherever they would go.

I grew up in an Air Force family and we moved every few years. Twice we lived overseas, separated in every way from our extended family, as these were the years before modern technology: expensive long distance phone rates, slow mail, no internet. Every move brought with it an initial time of  loneliness.

But God was always with us. It didn’t matter how far away from home, family and familiarity we went, He was there with us.  Chronic pain and illness are like that. There are times of utter  loneliness, when people seem far away. Some of us were abandoned by friends and  even family members when we became ill.

Jesus knows what it’s like to feel all alone, abandoned, deserted. Peter denied Him -- three times. Judas betrayed Him. The disciples fell asleep after He asked them to stand watch. Jesus’ ultimate experience of abandonment was that  moment on the Cross when He became sin for all mankind.

Jesus understands! He wants to hear from you, wants to know about your troubled heart. I try to tell Him frankly everything I am feeling, leaving out nothing.

Joshua says God is with us wherever we go. That includes times of troubles of any kind, the ‘land of illness and pain’, as well as the land of milk and honey. What a comfort that is!

Prayer: Father God, thank you for being a God Who is not only with us always, but also wherever we go, physically, emotionally, spiritually. Help us  to  always sense your Presence regardless of our circumstances. Help us to  remember you are with us when we feel alone.  Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Priscilla Ervin lives  in Arlington, TX and deals with  fibromyalgia and other health issues. She  is currently staying busy delighting in her first  grandchild.

 

 

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

 

These devotionals are copyright Rest Ministries, 2008. All rights reserved. Feel free to forward to a friend, but let us know if you'd like to request permission to send it to more than 10 people (like a list group.) Thank you!

The Strength of Joy

“You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your Presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”  (Psalm 16:11 NIV)

Sometimes I feel like I’m on a “spiritual teeter-totter”. As my physical health goes down, my spiritual health goes up. More time convalescing allows more time for prayer and meditation.

A friend, who knew that I was spending more time in prayer, remarked on how miserable and depressing that must be (and she was serious). In a word, no. Psalm 16:11 tells why:  “You will fill me with joy in Your Presence”.

No one likes nausea . . . pain is no fun and fatigue, etc., aren’t prizes either, but I would not trade the times these conditions have forced me to my knees for the best health in the world. Time spent with Jesus is never wasted, in fact, at times it is sublime!  

When I force myself to participate in a church or family function, someone is sure to remark, “You must be feeling better, you look so good”. Can you relate?

God has brought me to the place where I no longer feel discouraged by those remarks. It is a compliment that my joy in the Lord is not affected by my physical ailments. In fact, I’ve found the scripture to be true: “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh. 8:11) Amen!

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

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.”

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

 

These devotionals are copyright Rest Ministries, 2008. All rights reserved. Feel free to forward to a friend, but let us know if you'd like to request permission to send it to more than 10 people (like a list group.) Thank you!