Chronic Illness Pain Devotionals

Voices In The Night

“The LORD is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1 NIV)

The other day a friend of mine told me that he is inspired by my “heart and fighting spirit.” Other people I know have called me courageous, inspirational, bold and brave. Those kinds of words and statements from people make me uncomfortable. I always deny these terms and state that “my strength comes from the Lord, and the hope of life eternal gives me the might to carry on.” Sometimes it seems like mere lip service to a God who deserves far better than me. But it is much different in the middle of the night. Last night, in the midst of a round of chemo I nodded off and then awoke at 4:11 a.m. and I did what I know better than to do when I wake up in the middle of the night - I thought. The more I thought, the more I was afraid.

In the middle of the night, I am truly all alone. I hear people say, “You are never alone when you have the Lord.” Well, you forget, I say that too - in the light of day. In the middle of the night, lying in a hospital bed, I am afraid...not of dying; I do know that I have eternal life and salvation from my sins. I’’m really not afraid of dying; I am afraid of the process of dying. I’m afraid of living with cancer, CIDP and one eye. I’m afraid of not being able to make a living. I am afraid of bills. I am afraid of being more disabled than I already am. I am afraid of leaving friends I love behind and afraid that I haven’t shown them and told them often enough how much they have meant to me. There are lots of things I fear more than death and I always seem to discover them in the middle of the night.

In the middle of the night God seems to whisper and Satan seems to scream. I don’t think I am alone in feeling this way. If I polled patients staying overnight in a hospital, many of their responses would certainly be like mine. This is when prayer is needed most and also when I pray the most. I am always amazed by the power of prayer. It soothes me, helps me regain my balance and stabilizes me, especially in the middle of the night when things are dark and scary.

Prayer: Lord, I need not be afraid because you go before me and are the light in the darkest corners of the night. You are stronger than the forces that seek to draw me off the path that leads to salvation and eternal life with you. Thank you for coming to me in prayer and calming my fears with Your steadfast love. Amen

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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.

His Plan

“But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"(Exodus 3:11 NIV)

When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, He laid out His plan to Moses to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt.  Instead of a response of immediate willingness, Moses responded with self-doubt. Moses questioned God’s choice and wisdom in appointing him for the task.

When we deal with chronic pain or disability, we often feel we are of less value than those who don’t deal with physical challenges. Like Moses, we too can feel self-doubt, especially if we find ourselves newly stricken with our physical limitations. Because our physical bodies are failing, we often question how God may truly be able to use us to do His work.

But as we continue to read this scripture, we find that God responded to Moses’ doubts saying, “I will be with you.” And so, as we express our doubts to Him, God is also responding to each of us! Just imagine, no matter what, our loving God, our Almighty, all-powerful, wise Creator, is always with us!  He has chosen us, for a purpose that will not require our physical abilities.  Let us have no doubt - He will use our suffering and difficulties as part of His divine will and plan.

God chooses each of us in unique and special ways to serve Him. It may be different now, but we can learn to look forward to whatever He places before us each day to accomplish for Him. We can praise Him for His Almighty power and wisdom, no matter what our changed physical circumstances may be. Even now, we must be willing and open to accept His call. 

Your circumstances were not your plan for you.  But His plan is good and perfect. Don’t be filled with doubt towards yourself or God. Trust Him. Let Him lead you wherever He will!

Prayer: “Father, our lives have changed and sometimes we feel so useless. Thank you for showing us that You are always be with us no matter what we face. And so we trust in You, knowing that even through our suffering we can accomplish Your will. Amen.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Doris Farley began experiencing 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

GPS-God Positioning System

"You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory." (Psalm 73:24 NIV)

New fangled electronic gadgets have always fascinated me. I read this passage and immediately my mind jumped to thinking about GPS units that have almost become standard equipment on new cars. GPS in this sense meaning Global Positioning System.

It led me to think about how great it would be if we had GPS - God Positioning Systems embedded in our minds and hearts. We could plug in a few commands and be led directly, step-by-step to God. I, for one, could certainly make great use of such a tool. Instead of punching in streets and towns, with this new version of GPS we could punch in where we are in our lives, what we've done to bring people closer to Him, and it would map out for us the path that would most readily lead us to God and tell us step-by-step what we need to do to reach that ultimate destination.

Like all electronic gadgets, they are only as good as their user makes them. Are we punching in the right things to ensure our correct direction to God? Are we sharing what God has done in our lives with others so they might come to know Him? Are we following God's version of "streets" - the Ten Commandments, to help us reach our "destination" - heaven. Have we made a wrong turn that has led us off course and made our way longer? Have we readjusted our course to try and find a short cut only to find it has made our trip difficult and confusing?

When we think about it, we do have a God Positioning System or sorts already embedded in us - our conscience. What we need to do and remind ourselves is that just like an alarm on a real GPS tells us we have made a wrong turn or gone down a wrong street, our conscience will sound an alarm if we wander far off our path to meet up with God on our eternal destination.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, guide us today and every day in making the right course corrections in our lives that will lead us closer to you. Help us follow Your commandments so we can reach our eternal destination without many course corrections. Show us the path that will lead us to our reunion with You in heaven.

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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.

         

Check Mail Compose

The Best Tasting Words

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6)(NIV).

“How are you?” is a question I often dread. Some people truly want to know, and can relate to what we’re feeling. But there are so many well intentioned “others”- those who care, but may not really want to or need to hear our painful answer.

I’m finally beginning to ask myself, “Do they really want to know?” before I respond. What will happen, I wonder, if I respond, “I’m having quite a painful day and I’m terribly emotional,”?  Will I receive well-meaning advice? Will they stumble over their sympathies, or will there be that long, pregnant pause, because they just won’t know what to say?

Colossians 4:6 tells us that our speech should always be “full of grace.” Another Bible version I use reads “pleasant, gracious and winsome.” I wonder, what can I possibly say that is pleasant when I’m truly feeling rotten? What words can I offer that are seasoned like salt, flavorful enough that one would want to feast on them, or relish them like a favorite dessert?

Our words have an impact on others, so perhaps we need to think of our response as an opportunity. Can we, despite how we’re feeling, bless, encourage, love, and make them feel warm inside? Perhaps, we can express thanks and indicate how much their caring means. Or perhaps we can share our love for Jesus and the strength He gives us as He helps us persevere each day.

Yes, our physical feelings would then remain unsaid, or be said less frequently. But thankfully we know that we can bear all to our Lord and Savior and He will listen, and truly understand, care and comfort us, better than any other human ever could!

Beloved, we have an opportunity at hand! Boy, I know I’ve got some changes to make in this area! With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can serve the best tasting words to others.

Prayer: “Dear Lord, when we’re feeling burdened by pain and illness, we know You understand. Help us then to know how to speak to others, to build them up and share Your love, despite how we’re feeling.”

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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

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."