It’s so easy to consider giving up when we live with daily pain, to just let the world go by and not face the day. Fiona explains her feelings–and her answer for these moments.
“We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1: 8-9)
Have you ever felt that you just couldn’t take it anymore? Have you ever considered giving up and giving into the pain, to the side effects that go along with the medicines you have to take, to stop doing your physical therapy that helps keep you mobile? Have you been, as Paul was his situation, in such a state that you despaired of life itself?
Those of us who struggle daily with our pain or illness are faced with a choice we must make every day. The choice we must make is how we are going to handle our day. For me, it’s often tempting just to stay in bed and pull the covers back over my head and try to forget life. However, I know that while it sounds like a good way to escape, it’s not really the best for me.
It allows me to lay there and focus on my problems instead of getting up and relying on God to help me get through the day. Feeling sorry for myself just feeds my self-pity and my sense of hopelessness about the future.
While God understands our struggles with the “whys” of our pain and illness, He does not want us to focus on them. What He wants us to focus on is Him. Paul tells us that these things happen to us so that we might not rely upon ourselves (or our medicine, or the next surgical procedure, or the new doctor we’ve found), but on Him.
The problem is He is often the last resort we turn to when we feel like giving up. It’s much easier to take that pain pill or, like me, try to sleep through it all.
God wants us to turn to Him when we feel we cannot endure another moment. He wants us to cry out to Him in our suffering and our discomfort. He desires to be the one that soothes us, that gives us solace, that holds us in His arms and quietly rocks us back and forth. He wants us to learn, deep down, that He is the one we need to rely on.It can be so hard to remember that God really loves us when we’re in the midst of mind-numbing pain or are dealing with another day of not being able to sleep. But, He does love us and He is waiting to show you.
All you need to do is cry out to Him and ask Him to comfort you. He may not take away the pain or the sickness, but I have discovered that He will give you the comfort you need for that moment. And for the next moment. And, also for the next moment.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that You help me to turn to You when I feel like I just can’t take it anymore and feel like giving up. Help me to see how dwelling in self-pity and the things I think I’m missing out on in life are taking my eyes off of You and Your purpose for my life. Please put Your arms around me and comfort me, again and again. Amen.
About the author:
Fiona Burky is a retired Licensed Clinical Counselor who lives in Ohio. It is only by God’s grace and strength that she has been able to endure her multiple health issues. You may view her blog at: http://fionab-growingbeyondyourpainfulpast.blogspot.com .
What do you do when you feel like giving up? Yell, cry, talk to a friend? Is sharing your pain with Jesus one of the first things you do–or last?
“Our God is Greater” with Chris Tomlin may be a song you recognize. It’s the perfect reminds of God’s power and love when we feel like giving up.
Thank you , Fiona, for this great article. I love your writings. You help me through the moments of my day. I hope you are doing well on this day. It is beautiful, fall, weather.
Jeanie
I just blogged about this very thing last week. It hurts to see others go through the same thing, but it helps to know, for a certainty, we are not alone.
Here is my blog entry, i hope it helps someone as well.
http://kristischronicpain.blogspot.com/2012/10/chronic-pain-and-painful-legacies.html?m=0
Hi Fiona,
You captured my feelings in this writing totally. I am ready to give up today, more bad news, yet another disease on top of all I already have, etc. Wordly issues along with such pain closing in on me. The black hole of depression is surrounding me. I feel like I am having a breakdown in all areas of my life.
I prayed for God’s strength last night and today really sick and bad day at doc’s.
And then in the midst of despair , read your words from someone who knows suffering and pain and wanting to sleep life away and not deal with anything.
So, I will read your words again, and my Jesus Calling and my scripture readings and pray till I find the comfort from God that He promises. I know that Satan is just having a field day with me right now but God and I will win this battle together. I know I have taken my eyes off Him , left myself open to the evil ones attacks of hopelessness and fear and the downward spiral I am in is bone chilling! I will not stay in this place. I will cry out to Him , I will rely on Him and keep my eye on the cross where I will find the peace that passes all understanding!
Thank you so much, Fiona, for sharing your honest thoughts and fillings, no holds barred. I always feel not so alone after reading about others who are struggling with chronic illness and all it entails.
God bless you.
Patty
I am so grateful to God that my writing has helped you all, especially you Patty. Lord, I pray that you help each one of us to find our comfort and strength in you and to be extra vigilant when we do feel so poorly so as not to allow a place for the enemy to come in and add to our burdens with his harassment. I pray that we would all feel renewed and re-inspired to follow you, even though these earthly bodies protest and make it hard for us to do those things for you and our families that we would like to do. I thank you for the strength you give us and help us to lean on you when we feel particularly bad. Amen and Amen!
What a helpful devotional Fiona. Familiar territory, for sure!!
On days like this I imagine myself as a little girl sitting on Jesus knee with His loving arms around me telling me how much He loves me. A smile surfaces to my face, peace returns & I can face the world again! Do I do this every time? Nup! However the times that I do, He changes how I face that day.
Feeling for you Patti! Hugs. Wonderful prayer Fiona……soaked it up like a sponge! SLURP! God bless. Lotsoluv Kerryn
On days like this I do one of two things. Sometimes both. First of all I put on some praise music and just sing along, a prayer to God. The Joy of the Lord is my strength, and by listening to the music that praises our Father, I have my eyes totally off of me. Another thing I do is to curl up in my recliner chair, with my soft afghan and read His word, a good book, or write notes to others who are sick, in pain, or shut-in.
Sandra: Those are some good ideas, thanks for sharing them. I know listening to praise music really lifts my spirits and helps me get my focus on where it needs to be…on Him!
fiona,
i had a night like this last night (didn’t fall asleep till 6am). during times like this, or when i just can’t seem to get through the pain, i remember that God is sitting with me holding my hand. i just repeat over and over “God loves me, God loves me……He will give me better days…”
thank you so much for this timely and wonderful devotion.
Priscilla: we were in the same situation last night…I didn’t get to sleep until almost 5 a.m. and then had to get up at 8:30. Now I feel so run down and exhausted. Hopefully we’ll both get better sleep tonight! I’m glad you enjoyed the devotional.
Well, if we all lived closer, we could have had a party! I did not get to sleep until 5 am, and had to be up at 7:30. I just took an afternoon nap though.
Very useful advice within this post! It’s the little changes that produce the most significant changes. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Fiona
Pretty much everyday I feel like giving up! The only thing that has stopped me so far is my faith!
Please take a look at my blog, and feel free to share it if you like, it may just help one other person. You can find it at http://www.onemansjourneyinfaith.wordpress.com It was only started recently. Prior to that I had one with blogspot, the last couple of posts on there are relevant. It can be found at http://www.richardmulholland.blogspot.com
As I say, if one person can find some hope, a sense of faith, then I feel that the endless suffering of chronic pain will not be in vain.
All we have to help us through the darkest times is God, He is their when we most need Him, although we often feel alone.
Blessings,
Richard
I have been homeless for a year. I used to have a good career, a home I loved, a vibrant social life, hobbies and interests. Then I dated an emotionally abusive man whom I met at my workplace, who unfortunately in many ways resembles the negatives in both my Mother and Father. Sometimes worse, but sometimes better, but he got his hooks in me. And took me down. Although I guess no one can do that without your permission, but sometimes you are tricked. He certainly was persuasive and then turned out to not be who I thought he was. I was left in financial, career ruins and homeless. To move my stuff into storage, was my only way out. I never wanted to be a victim. I worked and fought hard growing up to move past negativity to a life I could call my own. Yet somehow I still ended up here. I am educated, kind, thoughtful, and I’m finding the world a harsh and bitter place. I feel very alone. Thanks for your words and the many comments here too. I wish you all the best in your lives and in your faith. I believe we are all here for a reason. I just wish I could do some good with mine and not feel so useless and lonely.
With Love.
Sam, know that I read your comments, my heart goes out to you & am praying now. Am sorry you’re going through all of this. Lotsoluv Kerryn