How do you cope with grief feelings of coping with chronic illness, while still recognizing what you have already attained through Christ?
“Only let us live up to what we have already attained” (Philippians 3:16).
Each summer I have the same struggle. As I see people enjoying more physical activities and travel, I want to mourn what I have lost. Ungrateful as it sounds, I feel I am missing out on what summer is all about. I am having grief feeling about my chronic illness.
The Holy Spirit brings conviction and truth about these negative thoughts. I work through them and get over it–until the next time. This verse in Philippians challenges me.
Paul talks about pressing on to receive the prize and then he tells us to live up to what we have already attained. God’s Word translation says, “We should be guided by what we have learned so far.” I need to remember what I have learned and the victories God has given me in this struggle before.
We build and move forward on what we learn through experience. In order to cook I must remember what I learned about boiling water, browning meat, etc. If I had to start from square one with each meal, we wouldn’t eat much! The same is true in my spiritual life.
We are all at different stages in our walk with God, but we have all attained something on our journey. God has taught me many things thanks to His patience, mercy, grace, and love. When I forget those lessons, God brings opportunities for me to remember. The sooner I remember, the more I can move on to a deeper spiritual growth and walk with Him.
Summer will never be what it once was for me. But God reminds me of the truth that one day there will be no losses to grieve, and no temporary earthly pleasure can compare to what lies ahead with Him in eternity. I want to be thankful for all the blessings I do have. And as I keep moving forward, I know my heavenly prize far outweighs any loss here on earth.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for enabling us to learn and persevere in our walk with You. Strengthen and encourage our hearts to remember and act on what we have learned, yielding our losses to You even as we push on toward what lies ahead. 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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Are there certain losses you have grieved during previous summers that you now have attained victory over? What has God taught you through them? If you gave into your grief feeling about chronic illness all the time, what would you gain. . . or lose?
Yes, Bronlynn, it’s the little things that grieve me the most. Simply having a cuppa & chat at an outdoor cafe with my husband or going for a walk on the beach or a picnic in the park. I can’t manage any of these & I really miss them!! I can’t dwell on it for more than a few moments or I spiral down too quickly into deep despair & frustration.
My special ed teaching background always says “find another way!” My faith says “with God, all things are possible!” So we have our own little outdoor cafes at home…….2 spots…..1 in the shade on the balcony out the back & 1 out the front in the sun. These are our little moments together, when I’m up to it, to have a cuppa & chat at “Our Cafe.” I’m still planning how to make a sandpit area to lay 2 towels onto to create the feel of the beach at home too!! LOL! Being in Australia it’s winter now, so we have time to plan our beach for next spring & summer!! Thanks for your devotion Bronlynn. Lotsoluv Kerryn
Kerryn,
I didn’t realize you lived in Australia! I am friends with another writer in Australia – Fiona Burrows. It’s so strange to think that while we are enduring temps in the 100’s, you are cold, and when we have snow at Christmas, you are having picnics 🙂
I like your creative ideas. Creativity and perseverance are great ways to handle the disappointments and griefs, eventhough sometimes I need an attitude adjustment to do it! And I believe that once I finally get to the joys of our new life, I will wonder why I got so impatient waiting. It’s really not that long to wait in the light of eternity, right?
Blessings,
Bronlynn
Thanks Bronlynn. Yes, Christmas means heat, beach, picnics, cold meals & salads etc! We’re enjoying the roasts now. Bless you in the challenges. Lotsoluv Kerryn