Chronic Illness Pain Devotionals

Worry Free

"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  (Matthew 6:34 NIV)

Today we got up and took our Jeep to the dealership because the air conditioning was acting up and being that we live in Arizona, we really need that part of the car to work right. Anyway, we decided to go have breakfast at one of our favorite places.  We asked to be seated in our favorite waitresses tables and got a chance to talk to her. Fifteen years ago she had breast cancer and got a clean bill of health back some 10 or so years ago. This morning she told us that she has to have a bone biopsy on Thursday because they saw a mass and suspect it is back and now in her bones.

Still smiling, she continued to serve us our coffee and breakfast and maintained a "steadfast" attitude even though you could see there was a little uneasiness in her voice. A wonderful Christian woman, still deeply concerned. So we ministered to her and will help her home from her test on Thursday.

Later on this afternoon, I went to the bank to open an account and the lady who helped me had Thyroid cancer removed from her neck 5 years ago and just two weeks ago another suspicious form in her neck was removed. I got her name and assured her that I would pray for her. We talked about God and His role in these times and she seemed to become more calm, the longer we talked.

These two incidents today made me think of why I have cancer and what my role is here on earth. If I am in a constant state of "worry" how am I supposed to minister to people that God brings in front of me? My food, drink or clothes I wear. How do they compare to doing the will of the Father? And so that is why Jesus says, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life..." (NLT)

We have more to do in our everyday lives than worry about so many things. "Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly father feeds them. Aren't you more valuable to him than they are?" I believe so.

Hear God's word and become "worry free" in your walk with the Lord. See how He will bless your life!

About the Author
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Dave Stallings lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife of 37 years, Barbara, Who also suffers a serious chronic illness, 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 blog is http://www.nowwhataz.blogspot.com/, his personal testimony can be read at http://www.nowwhut.org/ and he can be reached by email at mailto:dstallings2@qwest.net.

God Has A Plan For You

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8: 38-39 NIV)

It is early morning, 2:30 AM, I am starring at the needle carrying chemo into my body to fight the cancer, and thinking that it is very hard to believe the verses above. And yet, God means what He says. The nation of Israel was in the middle of 70 years of captivity when God told Jeremiah about the plans He had for them. The people were scattered, away from their homeland; they'd lost everything they knew and loved, and circumstances were totally against them. When Paul penned the verses from the Holy Spirit in Romans, Christians were being killed for their faith, thrown to the lions, crucified, burned and imprisoned.

Things don't always look like what we equate to being "plans for good and not disaster." We often have to face some very hard times in our lives. Some of those to be sure are the result of our own sins. But, other difficulties and challenges seem to hit us when we haven't done anything that would bring about financial, health or relational disasters. In fact, some things hit us when we are walking directly in God's will, following Him, taking care of everything in our lives in a responsible manner. Those are the times when it seems there is no rhyme or reason for the pain and suffering we experience.

But what we need to remember at those times, perhaps more than any other, is that nothing that hits us - nothing we have to deal with - changes, disrupts or thwarts God's plan for us. Nothing we go through means we have been separated from His love, means that He has abandoned us, means that we have been forsaken or that God isn't in control. Hold fast to Him in the middle of your circumstances. Submit your will to His and make yourself available to Him and whatever He wants to do with you. Ask Him to fulfill His purpose for you and trust Him to do it. He won't disappoint you. He also won't leave you to face it alone.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Denny Dowd lives in Pennsylvania with her two cats, Liam and 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

Waiting On God

"This is the confidence that we have in approaching God:  that if we
ask anything according to his will, he hears us.  And if we know that he
hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of
him,"  (1 John 5:14-15)

When we suffer from a chronic illness or pain, life seems to become one
long waiting game.  What makes it even harder is not knowing how that
waiting game will end.  Will we be better after treatment, or worse?
  Then, the doubt and fear takes over. 

One of the hardest things we put ourselves through is blame for
failures in our treatment.  I have talked to so many people that blame
themselves for not saying the right thing to doctors, or insurance companies,
or family members about their condition.  And, what is so sad is that
we often feel this way after we ask God to give us guidance in dealing
with our illness.  When things do not go well, it has to be because of
some failure on our part. 

Waiting is the hardest thing that we have to suffer through.  But, it
is the single area that we, as Christians, are best equipped to handle.
  One of the things that I love about these devotionals is the way one
of Kay's writers, Pastor Pat Dittert, will post a promise from the Bible,
daily.  These promises are the rock
solid foundation of our faith.

There are three promises that have carried me through more doubt, and
self-blame, than I can remember.  First, God promises that he knows our
frame, and is not going to place more load on us than we can handle
(Psalm 103: 13,14).  Secondly, God promises that he will work out
EVERYTHING to our good, and the good of others, as long as we obey him (Romans
8:28).  Finally, we are promised that we can handle and face ALL
things, through Christ, who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

When problems occur in dealing with your condition, do not assume that
you have done something wrong. And, NEVER believe that God has
abandoned you (Hebrews 13:5).  Our willingness to trust God's work, through the
victories and disappointments in our lives, is the very definition of
faith.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bill Shamblin. He suffers from degenerative disc disease, and severe
neuropathy from three back surgeries. He lives with his
parents in East Tennessee and has been out of work for three years.
Sometimes, the greatest test of faith is waiting on God's timing, not
our own.

Winds of Pain

“He makes the clouds His chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.
He makes winds His messengers…………”  (Psalm 104:3-4 NIV)

I sit here with my Bible in my lap, wanting so badly to have my morning quiet time with the Lord.  But, I am finding it hard to concentrate on the words, as my body is reacting to yet another weather change. Yesterday was a typical Spring day with temperatures in the low 70’s, and rain and thunderstorms.  Last night a cold front came sweeping into our area, dropping the temperatures into the low 40’s. 

So, I decide I will just “sit before the Lord” and look out the patio doors and enjoy watching the squirrels, birds, and let God speak to me through His creation.  I find that He wants me to do this at times, and this morning must be one of those times.

I notice the weather change has also brought us a very gusty, windy day. I watch the trees twist, swirl, and bend as a gust of wind hits them. Then, they get a reprieve, and are able to just stand calm and still for a little while before the next big gust of wind hits.

I think how much this is what we with “invisible” chronic illnesses experience.  Some days the “winds” of pain and exhaustion twist and bend us from the inside out, and we think we won’t be able to stand another moment of it.  But, then the "wind' lets up a bit, and we have a few calm, less painful moments.  Oh how much I appreciate those moments….even knowing that the next “gust” will be coming at any time. So, I try to make the most of the “quiet” moments, and thank our Lord for them. 

People who would see me right now would not think anything at all is wrong with me…..from looking at me on the outside.  That’s the sad part, and maybe the hardest to endure.  This fact, along with the pain and fatigue can sometimes cause a part of us to break, as a limb often snaps off the trees during a very hard gust of wind. 

But, we have the assurance that with our God, we will endure until that day “when the wind will blow and buffet us no more.”  All will be peace, calm, no pain…..ahhh!  No pain!  Even so, Lord Jesus, come!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alice lives daily with Fibromyalgia, CFS, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities.  She has great support from her husband, and most of all, from her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  What peace and comfort HE gives during the “storms and winds” of her life!

The Dance Of Joy

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in

him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give

thanks to him in song. " (Psalm 28:7 NIV)

Setting out our flowers and tomatoes every Spring

is a big treat to my husband and I. Winter was long

for us here in Iowa and lasted and lasted until we

wondered if the snow would ever leave and if we

were to ever see green again.

So today was our special day to plant little green

things and to have hope that they will grow and

become the glorious flowers and vegetables that

we enjoy so much.

Sitting down inside for a much needed rest today and 

watching out my Bay Window I noticed a stirring in our

drive way that leads directly to our patio.

We have 2 beautiful Mourning Doves that grace us with

their presence every evening... preening and eating from

our feeders and drinking from the bird bath. They love to

sun themselves in our drive way.

I watched and a small grey Sparrow flew towards the Dove.

He flew close enough to touch the Dove and he did a perfect

few circles around him, still airborn. As the Sparrow did his

circle dance... the Dove stayed in the same spot and did circles

as the Sparrow encircled him.  It was as though they were

dancing for joy and they knew that God had brought them

sunshine, food and water. How happy they appeared to be

as they danced their Joy Dance.

They didn't worry about tomorrow as their trust was in the

One that created them.

That’s the way we should be. We need a "Joy Dance" in our

lives from time to time.

Suffering with pain and illnesses is never easy, but it can be

so much easier if we introduce joy into our lives with help

from our wonderful Heavenly Father that created us.

As Psalm 100:2 says,.. "Worship the LORD with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Dittert (Founder & Overseer of Fibro/Chronic
Pain Support Ministry) lives in a berm home in Rural
Central Iowa with her husband & soul mate Patrick,
4 cats and a Lab/Sharpei dog. Nancy & Patrick are
both pastors, retiring early because of illness. Nancy
lives with Severe Fibromyalgia, Absence Seizures and
Neuropathy, and her husband had a brain tumor that
left him disabled. They are still actively involved in Prayer
Group, and 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

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Each Day....A Gift From God

"Show me Your ways, O lord, teach me your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior; and my hope is in You all day long."   Psalm 25:4-5  (NIV)

I went out today with my family!  It sounds so simple, doesn't it?  An activity that most normal people wouldn't think a thing about.  But for me; after a long bout with flares, sinus infections, and virus's; to say I was able to get dressed and go out is overwhelming!  I acted like a normal person! Wow!

It was about 70, a sunny day, a nice breeze, the trees were in bloom. A glorious day!  I was sitting in the passenger seat just about overstimulated with the colors I saw and the fragrance in the air from so many trees and flowers in bloom.  My spirit began praising God who created such a beautiful world for us to enjoy!

How could people see a spring day and not praise God!

Then I realized that those who are "normal" in their health and lives, see this every day.  They take it for granted that there are trees, and flowers, sunny skies or rain, because they are out in it everyday.  How sad.

Do you hear what I am saying?  How sad, to be a normal person!

For many people, my day out would be no big deal.  We went to get groceries, run errands, eat sandwiches.  But for those of us who are housebound, it was a real treat.  It almost seemed as if I were a normal person, except for the cane and scooter in the grocery store.  It was a feast for my senses to go through the produce section as I smelled the fragrance of citrus fruits stacked on the table.

I enjoyed every bit of the day.  And I will store up memories of shopping with my daughter and seeing her eyes laugh at the way her mother was so excited at the little things.  Even the display of Easter stuffed animals that I had to touch to see how soft the fur was.

Tomorrow I will most likely be in pain.  I will definitely be exhausted.  This is the price that I pay for going out.  But it is worth it.  I will treasure the memories of the blue sky, trees decked out in white blossoms, or pale green leaf buds, the smell of tables stacked with citrus fruits, and "playing with" the stuffed bunnies with my daughter.

God is good and "My hope is in Him all day long."

About the Author:  Sandra Platt is a Minister's wife and mother of two college aged kids.  She lives in Kentucky with her family and two spoiled cats.  Her hearts cry 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."

The Way To Walk

"Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." (Psalm 143:8 NIV)

*"I’ll know the way to walk as I lift my soul to you."

Many times I get so bombarded with the circumstances of life that I don’t know which way to turn. Things can be coming at me from all directions overwhelming me. I get so caught up in the frenzy of things that I can’t see the forest for the trees.

This breath prayer helps me shut up the babble of my non-productive, drunken monkey of a mind, to be able to detach.  When I’m so close to a situation, I can’t see the intricacies of the big picture that I need to be able to make a wise, healthy decision. I may react from an unconscious gut level in a knee-jerk manner.

I may regret my reaction when I can get back from the situation.  Detaching with breath prayers helps me avoid co-dependent tendencies that can become prevalent with chronic illness. I can then consciously make deliberate decisions and choices from my head and heart.

Breathing this breath prayer has given me hindsight in the midst of a situation so that I don’t regret what I’d said or done later. I am able to see the forest and the trees. There’s no way that I can see all the things that are in motion in an event emotionally charged with illness. I can only trust that to the Lord.

Lifting my soul to the Lord, He can shine His light through my soul onto my circumstances. The Lord helps me see me more clearly. The Lord can show me the way to walk, avoiding snares I would never recognize on my own when blinded by illness,

family dysfunction, and stress!

*Breath Prayer- Take a scriptural promise, turn it into a seven syllable affirmation give or take a few, in present tense and second person, and say it on the perfect breath (in to a

count of 3 out of a count to a count of 6) as you breathe out.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Kathleen S. Lewis, RN, MS, LPC, CMP: has lived with SLE

and many other rheumatic diseases for 29 years; is the author of CELEBRATE LIFE … NEW ATTITUDES FOR LIVING WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS and PRAYER WITHOUT CEASING … BREATH PRAYERS; runs a counseling ministry, Celebrate Life,  by phone; is a Stephen minister; has 2 sons and 3 magical grandchildren; resides in Marietta, GA with LB, the best Peek-a-Poo ever; and knows "In my weakness is Your strength."  Check out and meet me for a chat at http://www.letscelebratelife.com.

Living With Things Undone

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test ... what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)       

Years ago, in a Bible study, I learned this principle:  Women must learn to live with things undone. This has been a life-long struggle for me. How much is related to my Attention Deficit Disorder, I’m not sure. But having major trouble with concentration, decision-making and co-ordination certainly makes life more challenging. My working pace is very slow. And any added pressure simply increases the difficulty.

In our present world we have many voices telling us what to do. Parents, teachers, friends, bosses, the media and more, all influence us. We’re told we must make money for a comfortable retirement, make a positive contribution to society, take care of ourselves and our families, maintain neat, attractive homes and yards, go green, fill out tax returns, and– well, you get the idea. But where is God’s voice in all of this? What is most important to Him?

Jesus answered the question this way, “Love the Lord your God....This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37) This is the broad answer. One liberating concept is that we are primarily responsible to Him. Another is that our value as human beings is based on His standards. He made each of us unique, and loves us equally.

God does not expect us to do what He doesn’t provide the resources to do. And these will likely change as we go through our lives. There are many things I think I have to do, but does this come from His Spirit’s guidance? Or from my own ideas, which are often greatly influenced by “the pattern of this world”? Maybe we each need to spend more quiet time with Him to get His ideas for our day. That may mean saying “No” more often, and not feeling guilty!
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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.

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It's All About Compasion

"Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9:35 NIV) 

At what point does the real comfort come? Is it in the advice someone gives concerning where to go or what to do or how you should feel? Is it in reassurance of words or hope? Is it the expressions of sorrow on someone's face? It’s actually much deeper than all of that. What really counts is this: that in the moments of pain and suffering, someone took the time to stay with you.

In his book titled Compassion, the late Henri J. M. Nouwen stated, “When someone says to us in the mist of a crisis, ‘I do not know what to say or what to do, but I want you to realize that I am with you, that I will not leave you alone,’ ” we have a friend through whom we can find consolation and comfort." (p.11) “Simply being with someone is difficult, because it asks of us that we share in the other’s vulnerability, enter with him or her into the experience of weakness and powerlessness, become part of uncertainty, and give up control and self-determination." (p.12) “Those who offer us comfort and consolation by being and staying with us in moments of illness, mental anguish, or spiritual darkness often grow as close to us as those with whom we have biological ties." (p.12). They enter the dark, unsure / uncharted spaces of our soul. 

Those words give us just a small peek into what is meant when it’s said; ‘God-with-us.’ God came to share in our lives. He enters with us into our illnesses, mental anguish, and spiritual darkness, problems, confusions and questions. Because He is God-with-us, He has committed Himself to living in solidarity with us; and to share our pains, joys, disappointments -- to defend and protect us. He suffers all of life with us.

Talk to Him; tell Him how you’re feeling and what you’re feeling. Tell Him all about every problem, every detail, every pain. Allow him to embrace you in His compassion.

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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.

See Yourself As A Child Of God

“Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then
we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I
shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)

*"I will know myself as I am known."

It seems fitting that the end results of the love chapter
in 1 Corinthians 13 is that you will know yourself as
you are known. If you love as this chapter describes
with long suffering, kindness, no envy, ego void state,
no unseemly behavior, no self gain, a long fuse, no evil
thoughts, rejoicing in the truth, dependability, and bears,
believes, hopes, and endures all things, you will know
yourself as you are known.

All through life you need mirrors to be able to see
yourself to maintain balance, adjust your path, and
respond appropriately and healthily. Your body has a
whole system that provides you with a mirror, called
proprioception. This system gives you feedback that
helps you maintain an awareness of your extremities and
body position. Without this feedback or mirroring system,
you would not be able to maintain physical balance nor
coordination.

The emotional mirrors that may have been provided to
you by your care takers in growing up, may have labeled
with unhealthy, destructive, unrealistic perceptions, and
conceptions of yourself. You may not have been called
stupid, dumb, foolish, sweet, funny, bad, or other things.
You may have been given double signals by what was
said and what was acted out in a way that left you
confused and conflicted.

The greatest gift that you could have been given as a
child would be love that is described in this chapter,
unconditional love. In the mirror of this love, you
would have seen yourself as a beautiful child of God.
You would have been cherished, protected, and
nurtured. No matter how good a parent is, you come
into life with some childhood wounds and breaks.
You search for healing for the rest of your life.

As I see myself as a child of God, in the mirror of God’s
love, I am able to heal the childhood wounds and breaks
that I bring into life with me. I can drop the defenses
that keep the denied, repressed, and suppressed parts of
myself under warps. I can begin to know and love myself
as I am known and seen. I can embrace all of myself to
find the abundant life! The dark glass becomes the clear
mirror of the Lord’s love!

*Breath Prayer- Take a scriptural promise, turn it into a
seven syllable affirmation give or take a few, in present
tense and second person, and say it on the perfect breath
(in to a count of 3 out of a count to a count of 6) as you
breathe out.

Kathleen S. Lewis, RN, MS, LPC, CMP: has lived with SLE
and many other rheumatic diseases for 30 years; is the author
of CELEBRATE LIFE … NEW ATTITUDES FOR LIVING WITH
CHRONIC ILLNESS and PRAYER WITHOUT CEASING …
BREATH PRAYERS; runs a counseling ministry, Celebrate Life,
by phone; is a Stephen minister; has 2 sons and 4 magical
grandchildren; resides in Marietta, GA with LB, the best
Peek-a-Poo ever; and knows "In my weakness is Your strength."
Check out and meet me for a chat at http://www.letscelebratelife.com.