Scripture tells us to be strong–courageous too! But when your strength is fading, what do you do? Linda reminds us of the little ways God helps us through loneliness.
“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
What a great reminder for us–especially through the times it seems God is “keeping His distance,” which can feel so stark and lonely when dealing with chronic pain and illness. I say “seems” and not “is” because of this wonderful verse.
Recounting God’s loving ways is one way I remember that He is with me, no matter what I am feeling.
One of the many blessings of my life was the closeness my grandmother and I shared. Luckily, for most of my adult life, we lived near each other. When she died at age 85, I called my childhood friend who had known her. Sympathizing with me, she said that when I needed them most, I would remember my grandmother’s pearls of wisdom–her sayings. The first time that happened, I thanked God.
Years later, during a long and overly ambitious fibromyalgia flare, I was missing both my grandmothers. Feeling sad and ill, God ministered to me in a wonderful way. Looking for something in a closet, I found a box I had forgotten about.
Inside was a letter from each grandmother! One, the first letter my nurse grandmother wrote after my first child was born, giving me great advice: don’t take anybody’s advice except the doctor’s! I could just see her pointing her finger at me as she was saying it, which made me smile.
The other letter, from my nearby grandmother included the story of how she acquired a lamp she bought in 1933, that I inherited. No one in the family knew it’s history. It was a very funny story and I laughed and laughed. I felt so comforted. God did this for me, just because He loves me. Finding those letters was a gift; recalling that day is a special memory.
So when you have times that God seems distant, take time to remember those instances of Him working in your life, either directly or through others. Those remembrances will bless you and sustain you. He has been faithful through your physical and emotional pain; He will never abandon you. (Joshua 1:9)
Prayer: Lord, you tell me to be strong and courageous, because you are always there. Sometimes I just don’t feel like being strong any longer and my courage is fading. Help me be strong, because of Your strength–not depending on my own. Amen.
About the author:
Priscilla Ervin lives in Arlington, Texas and deals with chronic Epstein Barr, Fibromyalgia and other health issues. Her greatest joy now is being a grandmother.
Has someone ever told you, “Be strong!” and you felt like, “I am doing the best I can!”? How do you follow the scripture to “be strong” when you don’t feel very strong?
Mandisa leads us through those tough days and reminds us to be stronger in her new song, “Stronger.”
