I have tried not to dwell on my illnesses these days, but still find that I have to remember to do this:
Accepting that one's life is going to be difficult due to ongoing illness makes for a happier life. When the chronically ill person decides to give it to God, and to cling to Him instead of succumbing to false guilt, life takes on a normality in what many would see as anything but. It is a surrender, if you will.
Suffering does not make us second-class Christians, as some false teachings would purport. Nor does it mean we are faithless or aren't reading our Bibles or standing on the promises of God regarding healing.
Furthermore, being ill does not check us out of God's watchful Eye of concern, or mean that He is an uncompassionate God. No, we all are subject to frailties and problems in the flesh because we live in a fallen world... we have not been singled out to suffer...
God has given us things to do in our suffering and it is important that we stay close to Him and continue to read the Word and pray. It is not that God has moved, when He feels far away during a flare or illness, but our emotions are also hurting as a result of our condition.
It is important to pray that God heal us, and to ask the Church to anoint us with oil according to the Scriptures... It is essential to our emotional and spiritual health to stay in the faith and believe that God can heal us, but to pray for strength until- or even IF it is His will to do so.
I know that should/when another flare comes for me that I will have to cling to Jesus and reread what I have written here (for I write it for myself as well as you). I will need to surrender this next painful chapter of my life, knowing that God will still be there for me.
Surrendering our pain and our life to God is the only thing we can do.... meanwhile, I thank Him for the few days of respite..
Suffering is not our fault, but is because we live in a fallen world.
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2
Your writing reminds me of the Footprints picture...when there was only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.
ReplyDeleteYes, our whole life is surrender. It is the daily quiet surrender to Him - just as He did, we follow - not my will but Yours be done...that is what He said as He faced suffering on the Cross. May you know His comforting Presence, grace, and even daily delights/joy in this season. "I will need to surrender this next painful chapter of my life, knowing that God will still be there for me." Amen.
Yes Lisa, it is like that. I know He carried me through some very horrible times.
DeleteI think this phrase is so important. "No, we all are subject to frailties and problems in the flesh because we live in a fallen world... we have not been singled out to suffer..." Paul had a thorn in his flesh, yet God used him mightily and let him know that His grace was sufficient. It always is sufficient. And when it feels like it isn't he meets us in our point of need. I appreciate your transparency. May God's strength be perfect in your weakness.
ReplyDeleteYes, Paul had a thorn yet was mightily used. I wonder sometimes what that was as it's not told us specifically. Whatever it was, I guess it was every bit as difficult to handle as our different maladies. Thank you for sharing a cuppa with me today.
DeleteI enjoyed your post. Thanks for sharing a part of your heart...and just a portion of what God has taught you through your suffering. Here's to a gentle week ahead -
ReplyDeleteThank you for those kind words, Jennifer. Be blessed!
DeleteI agree, Glenys. Too often we end up with EXTRA suffering because of guilt heaped on us for original suffering that wasn't our fault. Everyone will have suffering in this life, some more than others. What we need is more compassion for each other when we see others suffering.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Lisa. Thanks for sharing a cuppa with me today!
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