Ever feel like God could grow tired of your laments of illness and abandon you like others? Shelly shares.
“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer” (2 Corinthians 5:16).
It’s all just too much, isn’t it? It grows more so over time too.
When we first get sick everyone’s alarm bells go off. People rush in, surround us, pitch in, get on board. They call to check and bring in meals and pray for relief. They reach out and hug us close.
But as chronic illness stays, well. . . chronic. . . people start to slip away. Or maybe they’re still somewhere along the perimeter, but they have a life too. We just become too high-maintenance.
Calls become less frequent. Prayers dwindle as the realization comes that no drastic, miraculous answers are right on the horizon.
We can become so hardened. We begin to expect this type of reaction–waiting for it instead of being surprised by it.
And many times I think this spills over onto our Savior.
We think of Him from such a human point of view. That’s what leads to the whys? and the where are yous? We expect that His attention span or His well of compassion are as long and as deep as others we’ve encountered in this world.
We worry that we will soon become as invisible to Him as we are to so many.
The truth? The beautiful truth is that when the smoke clears and the dust settles, He’ll be the one standing back to back with us. He’ll be the one standing guard in front of us. He’ll be holding our arms up and carrying us along, close to His heart. He’ll be looking us right in the eye as He asks us how we are today. Then He’ll listen for the answer.
Each and every time. Without fail.
“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
Prayer: Dear God, help us to know Your majesty. Keep us from expecting human reactions from One such as You. Thank You for being with us always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
About the author:
Shelly Hendricks is a wife and mother of 2 amazing kids. She was a teacher and a librarian in another life. She also suffers from Intracranial Hypertension, Interstitial Cystitis, and Essential Tremor. She had brain surgery in 2012 and now considers herself to be a ‘bionic woman’ who is learning to walk again. Disability has been hard to deal with, but she depends on God for all strength and hopes to encourage others on this journey, through her blog at http://reneweddaily.com
Are you underestimating the Lord and His grace today? What first step can you take to change that?
Shelly thought you would like this song, “Your Grace Finds Me” by Matt Redman. It has amazing lyrics, reminding us that God’s grace never leaves us–it is there at every event, every tear, every moment of the mundane. What a wonderful reminder! -Lisa
Shelly, what a WONDERFUL reminder that friends may come and go,
but Jesus comes to STAY FOREVER … Amen!!
Love ya sweet friend, Barb♡♡♡♡
Barb, I am so thankful for Jesus, and for friends like you who walk IN instead of OUT in the darkest times. Love you! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Shelly – I was trying to look back to when I first became challenged and no one was around with casseroles or hugs. They were interested and prayed for me and with me but no extra attention.
It has been all these years later that friends have moved on and I can’t be sure it is because of my health condition; rather that I am not as able to get out and do much and they are busy in this season of their lives with husbands being retired; kids grown and grandkids and all the traveling that they do.
That has left me in the dust because I have not changed ( nor had my condition other than it making me more limited in what I can do ).
However – all my life God has been with me so deeply that I have never doubted His faithful nearness. That is the best gift for it does get lonely!
I am so grateful for the online friendship that have emerged and those who are always ready to relate! Thanks for being such a dear one in my life!
I know where to find you at all times and you will respond when called!
Love,
Lynn
Lynn, you are more precious to me than you can possibly know! Love you. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Thank you Shelly, for this devotional that hits so close to my heart. I have already experienced that rush of people and concern and support as my pain started and then the dwindling away of people when it didn’t get better or they didn’t feel I was handling myself the way they wanted, focusing on healing and prayer meetings to be healed, certain treatments, etc. Then I realized who my true supporters are as they have stuck by me and there are much fewer than I would have guessed. But lately I’ve been worrying that those few supporters I have left are forgetting about my pain and struggles as I try not to talk about it all of the time. I feel alone and yet you remind me that God is always close and He will never tire of me and my issues and for that I am so thankful. I’m also grateful for the people here at Rest Ministries who don’t forget about me or tire of me because they understand in the deepest way due to their own afflictions. God bless you, Tabitha
Tabitha, I am so glad this ministered to you, as it did to me when God showed it to me. I will be praying for you. Thank you for being here with us. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Shelly this is just an exceptionally beautiful devotional. Im a bit late reading but I just wanted you to know I really enjoyed it. It is so true, and sad that we do come to expect the negative not positive from others. But I as you say Jesus is never in that category. Im so grateful for that. I will also say since joining Rest Ministries I have found some dear friends ( one being you Shelly) who are such a joy to me. The funny thing is we dont live near one another so we dont “expect” anything but prayer and love from each other. Which is what we each seem to give and receive here! How ironic that we accept that so easily here but not at home with local friends?? Quite curious? Maybe God trying to show me something new here?? Lol thank you sweet friend for your love and inspiration. Many blessings to you. Di
Di, thank you!! Rest Ministries sure is something special, isn’t it? I thank God for friends like you that I never would have met if not for “here”. Love you. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Ty Shelly! Big hugs yo you too!
Shelly, your share such profound truths about the reality of life with chronic illness….and your experiences of meeting God in the hard place….your words encourage others to find their voice and share their hearts.
Loved the song……
God has you on my heart….I think that when you feel alone, He puts you on someone’s heart and prompts them to pray for you….hope so, anyway ….. I know he brings you to mind often ….and I’m awake when US people are asleep….so I reckon He’s got you covered 24/7.
That’s my theory 🙂
Love you sweet friend.
Mary, you are such a sweet friend. Thank you for praying for me!! You are so wonderful. Love you! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Beautiful words of truth. Thanks Shelly. Lotsoluv Kerryn
((((Kerryn)))) You have been on my heart so much. Praying for you. Love you. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Such beautiful truth, Shelly. And I have so felt this recently. Every time something has gone wrong and I’m ready to take an earthly view of my troubles and ready to blame God, He is right there reminding me of His truth. Thanks for how you encourage. I just love you. xoxo
I love you, too, sweet Beth!! I pray He will keep reminding you, always! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Thank you, Shelly. Just knowing it’s not “just us” is comforting. I was particularly blessed by what Lynn wrote, because we really never got the “outpouring” either. We have wondered if we just always have attracted the wrong kind of people, even though most of those we considered our friends were/are Christians. People expect you to get well and be “out and about” again. We did too, back then. I enjoyed all these responses.
This is what we long for:
http://vimeo.com/21564113
Sarah – thanks for sharing this song. It is one that is uplifting.
You’re welcome, Lynn. Thanks for what you shared too.
Sarah, you and Roy are so precious to me. I cannot imagine anyone not pouring out love for you guys, but I know the enemy sees where we would be most vulnerable and he strikes in hurtful ways. Know that you both are loved. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Shelly, YOU are precious! Thank you for your sweet words. Yes, I know the enemy seeks to get us where we are vulnerable. He tries to make us angry and hurt at God (and people), and I’m sorry to say, he’s succeeded at times. We continue to resist, in Jesus’ name, and then he must flee. Thanks for being our friend. Love you too.
Thank you for your beautiful reminder that we are never truly alone, even on those most darkest of days. The song you chose is also a lovely reminder of God’s never ending love for us. Thanks and blessings to you.