Focusing on the why’s of our chronic pain is natural, but instead, we should focus on how to trust God with our daily chronic pain.
“Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God’? The Lord is the everlasting God . . . and His understanding no one can fathom” (Isaiah 40:27, 28).
One of my weaknesses is in wanting to understand the “whys” behind something before I accept it. I wish I fully knew how to trust God, regardless of my circumstances. The need to know what to expect has created problems in many areas of my life including my relationship with God, particularly where my health problems are concerned.
In his book Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby suggests that God’s refusal, silence, or doing something we don’t understand are not rejection. They are opportunities for God to disclose to us more of Himself than we have ever known.
I experienced this truth before our recent vacation. Two weeks before we left I had a bicycle accident which aggravated my back and fibro problems. I questioned God. He knew I was being careful and that we had been planning this trip for months. But God used that experience to reveal more of Himself. He enabled me to enjoy the trip despite pain and discomfort–an attitude adjustment which I am continually dealing with.
He also worked a huge miracle in allowing me to take a pain medication every day which normally causes severe depression–but did not. God revealed Himself in powerful ways and my faith grew.
On this vacation we were blessed to visit the Billy Graham library in Charlotte, North Carolina. We saw Ruth Bell Graham’s grave, and I was reminded of something she wrote when questioning why.
“I lay my ‘whys’ before your cross in worship kneeling,
My mind too numb for thought, my heart beyond all feeling:
And worshiping, realize that I
In knowing You don’t need a ‘why.'”
Rather than questioning God when I don’t understand something in my life, I pray that I will look for new ways He is revealing Himself and His great power through it, and maybe even be thankful that I don’t understand–because He is the Almighty God, and I am not.
Prayer: Lord, I praise You for being beyond my human understanding. When I consider, how to trust God with my circumstances, remind me of how much you care about my every move. Help me see my “whys” as opportunities to see new aspects of Your power and grace in my life. Amen.
About the author:
Bronlynn Spindler lives in VA and is blessed to have the support and encouragement of a wonderful husband and three grown daughters. God’s grace and strength have brought her through thyroid cancer and continue to sustain her through ongoing back pain, depression, headaches, multiple sensitivities, eye pain, and fibromyalgia. You may view her blog of devotionals at www.aplaceofsprings57.blogspot.com.
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What “whys” has God used in your life to reveal more of Himself to you? Could you write a book called, “How to Trust God?” or would it be more of a pamphlet at this stage in your illness? Has what you learned changed your response to new problems?
I love the post, but my ‘whys’ are more along the line of why do I have to go through this without support of my family, friend’s-even strangers! A person with a broken leg gets more compassion and help than some of us with chronic pain & fatigue. I really am struggling with this right now. It’s gotten to the point that I’m isolating because the only place I can really be me is when I’m alone. I make people uncomfortable now, because I can’t do what I used to, and people are resentful of that because my illness doesn’t ‘show’ like a cast or sling. I go from fighting mad to inconsolable sorrow from listening to other’s harsh judgement. Thanks for the post~TK
Bronnlyn, thanks for what I need to hear today…..this minute! Was going to open it up last night, but the Lord knew I needed to read it NOW! The verse was super important to me, talking about your holidays related, the quote was important along with your words etc etc etc
I’m back to the why’s having only just dealt with them a few days ago! Yesterday we came back totally exhausted from a wonderful holiday. Packing up is exhausting for middle son & I both suffering severe CFS & MCS only to find that downstairs has a rug drenched from the torrential rains & has a putrid smell making us feel more ill. Then today hubby got phone call to say dying mother taken by ambulance back to hospital barely able to breathe & panicking terribly from lung cancer!! Other “big stuff” happening too & feeling overwhelmed & questioning why?! Read the post & began to calm again. Had been praying, but needed to read this NOW. THANK YOU for using your energy to write devotions for us.
Teresa, that’s terribly tough for you! Heart goes out to you & hearing you. Praying now. Lotsoluv Kerryn
Unlike a lot of people I know, I do not believe that asking “why” is always a bad thing. I believe there is a key different between questioning who God is and what He is doing. One of my favorite prophets asked a proverbial “Why” and it led to a greater understanding of God and drew Him into a greater faith, different circumstances then those above whomm I believe where questionig God. It’s not for us to question God, for sure. My guy is Habakkuk, he asked God what on earth He was doing. If it had been wrong for him to ask God that, God would have responded with a rebuke, instead God responded by giving Him an amazing promise, and the story concludes with Habakkuk singing a new tune, though circumstances remained the same. The way I see it, of course I want to know why I have to have this body who doesn’t do what it should! I think that’s ok, God is God and that I know so well. It all boils down to, I believe, whether the question is doubting God or expressing natural response to something we don’t understand.
Teresa,
I agree with what you said – “visible” illnesses get much more compassion and understanding at times. And even if we do have others who understand, it can still be a lonely road at times – I know it is for me. That’s when I thank God that He completely understands and ask HIm to be what no other earthly person can be. And He does, in His time and in His way. Praying you feel support from other pain sufferers eventhough we are not together physically.
Blessings,
Bronlynn
Kerryn,
So sorry to hear of all you are dealing with! I know I enjoy holidays and vacations but the preparation and then regrouping when I get home really wear me out. I pray God continues to give you peace and trust as you work through these current struggles.
Blessings,
Bronlynn
Bess,
I understand what you are saying about “why” not always being a bad thing. My problem is that my “whys” are usually asked in a rebellious way – I don’t want to cooperate until I understand the purpose. And that is wrong – at least for me. I have always had a problem with authority due to some upbringing issues so I know God wants to accept His ways now and then maybe question respectfully later 🙂 I”m sure I will continue to question God at times and I know He understands me in all my human frailty and baggage. But I need to let God be God and trust that His ways are the absolute best for me even when I don’t understand or agree.
Blessings,
Bronlynn
Bronlynn:
This devotional brings two individuals to my mind. The first is Job. No wonder he asked God why since he had been blessed with a wife, several children, wealth, good health, friends and respect..Then, suddenly, he lost all these things. All he had left was his integrity. He was totally open with God, who never did choose to give him an answer to “Why?”
We see what was happening between God and Satan, but he may have had no Scriptures at all. he grappled, as we all do in one way or another, with the major issue of suffering.
I agree Bronlynn that DEMANDING an answer is inappropriate because He is God and we, His human creatures, valued though we are, simply can’t understand all His ways. But, He does love us more than we can imagine and loves to forgive because of the sacrifice of our Saviour.
Bronlyyn:
My last comment was getting long so I decided to talk about the second person separately. Many of you may know a little about Dr. Helen Roseveare, a medical missionary in the Belgian Congo, which gained its independence in 1960 and became Congo. A few years later there was an uprising of the Simba people, who wanted to take over the government. Many missionaries were killed, and Helen was captured, badly beaten and then raped.
On a cassette tape I have, I heard her say that God asked her, “Are you willing to trust me even if I never tell you why?” That question really spoke to me. It was a matter of faith. She was given peace finally and God has used her to minister to a lot of people since then.
If you’d like to know more about her, just google her name. And prepare to be blessed!
Bronlynn, I hope God has strengthened you and eased your pain from your accident and that you a feeling better day by day!
It’s so true He can use those questioning-times as a journey to draw us closer to Him. For years now, there had been a set of major “why’s” in my life. But over time, God brought me gradually to a new place deep inside even though the outward had not changed. I came to see that instead of giving me the “answers”, He just seemed to reveal more of HIMSELF in those deep, dark places. I didn’t get the “why” but I guess you could say He gave the “Who,” as if He basically answered with HIMSELF. I like to say, I didn’t get an answer, He just showed me that He is THE Answer and that He is enough.
I still struggle with “why’s” that come up, as I know many of us do. My Bible study leader had said one day that when she comes to a hard place in life, she would ask Him…”Lord, what do YOU want me to know about this?” For some reason this got my attention, and I have been really trying to pray this in those tough places in life. Even after I pray this, I find I have to work very hard sometimes to make myself leave it there. An interesting thing I have found about that is it seems to ultimately take less energy to “surrender” in this way, if I will just remind myself to make that choice and do it! I haven’t mastered all that yet, but I stay on the journey to attempt it.
Beth, thank you for what you shared-wow! Bess, what you shared about Habakkuk-that’s soo been on my heart in recent days. Teresa, may God encourage you on your path in some very sweet and amazing ways. Kerryn, may God strengthen all of you during this time, meeting the needs of each situation for your family. <3
I thank God in knowing that I’m in the company of some amazing people here on this journey. You all are very special.
Blessings on each of you, and thank you for sharing your hearts. May God show each of us what He wants us to know about the seasons in which questions arise. Gentle hugs…BeBe <3
Bebe:
You’re pretty special yourself my new cyber bud!! You have a sweet spirit!
I really like the prayer that you learned from your Bible Study leader.
We can sure learn a lot from each other. Thank You Lord for the ability to connect in this way.
Beth,
Thanks for those reminding us of those great earthly examples.
Bebe,
I loved what you said about God revealing the “Who” rather than the “why”, asking God what He wants to show us – which at times could be nothing I guess but that’s faith, isn’t it? 🙂
You all have such great things to share. It’s a blessing to get other perspectives. Thanks!