Devotion: When Will It End? Facing One Illness Challenge After Another

“Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (James 5:10-11)

My body aches as I begin to wake. Another headache. The sunlight that would normally bring me joy brings pain. I know this is the aftermath of going with my husband to his oncologist/hematologist appointment. The combined drive and appointment lasted over five hours. My body rebels at staying in a sitting position for that long and my wheelchair is less that ergonomic for my tall frame.

Before I can open my eyes completely, the phone rings. It’s my mother. She has fallen. Her head is bleeding and it took over 45 minutes to drag herself to the phone. I sigh. I’ve asked and asked her to get an alert button. She has stubbornly refused saying if we get one, she’ll take it off.

The call is made for an ambulance. I am unable to get to her apartment and feel useless as others go to her and make arrangements for her trip to the hospital.

I shake my head a bit. God? Do you know what your doing here?

Yet that thought lasts only a moment. I know He does. I know he is carving patience out of an impatient person. Perseverance in one who often wants to quit. Faith in one who has been riddled with doubt.

Folks look at our family and voice questions as to how much more we can handle.

“It’s enough. This needs to stop,” they often say. “When will it end?”

I have come to the realization that it will end when it is supposed to. When God says it is “Enough,” it will have been enough.

I guess that sounds odd to most. Yet, I find a sense of reassurance in knowing God is in control and that I have yet more to learn. Letting go seems to be the order of the day.

Let go of the worries.
Let go of the need to be in control.
Let go of impatience.
Let go of wanting to quit–to just give up.
Let go of the doubts.

In it’s place? Holding on tightly to faith.

Prayer: Father God, Thank You for the gifts that You have tucked away for us in all of the trials we face. Thank You that we can find Your compassion and mercy therein. Amen and amen.

About the author:
Deni believes that the only true way to deal with chronic pain and chronic illness is to bring them to the feet of her Lord and Savior. Her multiple illnesses (Celiac Sprue, Atrial Fibrillation, Ankylosing Spondylitis, to name a few) have taught her many things about herself and her Christian walk. It is her fondest prayer that some of her lessons might be helpful to others as they walk the path of chronic illness. deni can be reached at her webpage at http://www.todaysencouragingwordonline.com

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Are you impatient? Wanting to give up? Do doubts fill your mind? How can God use your challenges to help mold you into His likeness? How has He already worked in your life?