Sometimes I think about the words spoken to me over 25 years ago. One of the medical specialists said that I’d be lucky to be able to work for 10 years. Even though it’s been some time now since I worked full-time, I did for more than 10 years and since then I’ve been blessed by jobs enabling me to work shorter hours, particularly over the last four years.

So I reckon that specialist was wrong–or maybe he didn’t know how stubborn I’d be, or the desperation of wondering how I support myself if I don’t work, that’s driven me to keep on pushing through the difficulties and pain.

Just lately, I’d been feeling like it’s got harder and I wondering what other options I might have. I have a wonderful boss who has been so accommodating this last year or so, and I feel like it’s only because he has been so supportive, that I’ve managed to keep going.

Last week, he told me that things are going to change for him and it looks like my job will disappear–sometime in the next few months. I was shocked, though I guess there have been some signs that I didn’t take seriously enough; but while we talked about what I wanted to do, I wondered if this might be the time for me to stop pushing to do what I’ve felt up until now, I must do.

The above verse reminds us that we are not supposed to worry and I love the way “The Message” puts it.

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. . . ” (Matthew 6:34)

It’s been hard to stop my mind from worrying about what I should do; what I can do; how will this work out; and what next?

What I should do? Don’t worry. Remember that I can always depend on God. His guidance, His understanding and support, His provision and His presence.

What I can do? Pray and ask others to pray. Look for the windows that may open as doors close for me. Be open to different opportunities.

How will this work out?I don’t know, but I do know that God has provided for me in sometimes very unexpected ways, many times before.

What next? I’m not sure and it may be some time before I have an answer to that. It might even involve taking some risks and letting go of some things that have given me security in the past. God knows what will happen and where I’ll be next month, next year, or whenever. I just need to trust in His plan for my life.

Prayer: Father, I have been blessed to do so much more than I believed I would be able to and I recognise that is only with Your help. Thank You so much. Help me to continue to trust the future to You. Amen.

About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful for the difference God makes in her life, and the lessons He is teaching her, as she lives with chronic back pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, and photography, and to travel when she is able. You can contact her in the Sunroom.

You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com

What have you been worked up about lately that you need to trust God to work out? How do you best remind yourself of that, when you worry?

I love watching someone’s tears being wiped away by a loving parent, relative, or friend. That interaction is so precious. Maybe it’s seeing the concern and care taken to collect each and every tear. Maybe it’s knowing someone else cares so much about you they will gladly wipe away your tears that stirs my heart. Whatever the reason, it’s an emotional scene for sure.

For those of us going through hard situations, tough physical challenges or tight finances, tears can be a regular occurrence. When I read this passage, the tenderness expressed by David here made me shed some tears. Several other versions say it this way, “You Yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your records?” (HCSB)

To me, this is a reminder that God sees every one of our tears; He collects them so not one will be forgotten or missed. Essentially, God is saying He grieves right alongside us. When we are hurting and sad, He is hurting and sad. When we are happy, He is happy. He is the truest friend we’ll ever have.

Wow, what a loving picture of God’s affection toward us. It encourages me greatly to know that God cares that much about me to collect my tears in His bottle! Know that whatever you are going through God does see you and mourns along with you. Let your tears fall onto His hands; He cares so much about you (1 Peter 5:7).

Prayer: Dear God, Your love and compassion touches me greatly. My soul takes comfort in knowing you collect each and every one of my tears. Thank you for never letting me go through something alone. Amen.

About the Author:
Bridget Gazlay resides in beautiful West Michigan. She struggles with fibromyalgia, endometriosis, IBS, kidney stones, and migraines. She works full time but writes and designs fabric art on the side. Bridget’s prayer is that anyone who comes across her writing or artwork would see she allows, “God’s creation to be my inspiration.” Find out more about Bridget at, www.pfccreations.com.

You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com

How has God encouraged you through your tears?

Perseverance–that word may trigger varying emotions, some being negative. When I think of perseverance, I think in terms of me persevering, not God. I get tired of persevering, even though I know His word says it is accomplishing a good work in me. Then I read a thought-provoking statement in one of my books. The author said that when we want to give up we need to persevere with God because God perseveres with us.

How does God persevere with me? When I doubt Him over and over again, not learning my lessons from previous situations, He continues to show Himself faithful. He does not give up on me when I give up on Him. At times He may be my last resort but I am never His last resort. When I disappoint Him, He never rejects or abandons me. He keeps forgiving, keeps loving, keeps strengthening, and protecting.

Aside from the fact that perseverance is beneficial for spiritual maturity, I want to choose perseverance out of love for all God has done for me. When I get tired of waiting for medical appointments or test results, I remember that God persevered through countless years of problems with humanity, waiting for the appointed time to send Christ to earth for me.

When I feel I can’t endure any more pain or sacrifice, I remember that Jesus persevered through life and death on earth because of me, suffering more than I can comprehend. When I’m tempted to give up on God, I think of the way the Holy Spirit perseveres in drawing me back.

When I persevere I am working together with God. Remembering that fact will give me the persistence I need to keep going until the work is finished. Then God and I will rejoice together, and that’s worth persevering for!

Prayer: O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee; I give Thee back the life I owe, that in Thine ocean’s depths its flow may richer, fuller be. (Hymn O Love That Will Not Let Me Go) 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, and fibromyalgia. You may view her blog of devotionals at www.aplaceofsprings57.blogspot.com.

You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com

How have you seen God persevere with you in your life?

When my daughter was a little girl I told her: “No matter what you do I will never stop loving you.” I take comfort in the fact that God’s love far exceeds my own, my ability to love my child comes from God, for God is love. And no matter how much I love my child, God’s love is infinitely greater than my love.

We all fail each other and ourselves in numerous ways. Because we are weak and frail human beings, subject to human passions and faults, and living in bodies affected by sickness and disease, affected by human weakness, we fail to live up to God’s standards, and sometimes leave each other disappointed.

I find that it helps me to allow for the shortcomings of others by reminding myself that I sometimes fail God and others. I sometimes fail to live up to my own standards, my own hopes and expectations. We will all fall flat on our faces sometimes and we should not be shocked and awed by the fact others will at times disappoint us as well.

If we allow room for the failings of others we will save ourselves much frustration and disappointment. And if we allow space for the weakness in others, we may find them more willing to accept our own shortcomings.

Those of us with disabilities and continual health issues correctly expect a bit of leeway from others when it comes to our afflictions. I think this can make us more sympathetic to all sorts of shortcomings from those around us. We, better than most people, know how easy it is to come up short in life, to fail to accomplish everything we want to accomplish.

When others fail to meet our expectations, we ought to give them space for their shortcomings since we expect the same from them.

What a comfort it is that God is patient with us, and how encouraging that God’s love is unfailing. He is our guide in relating to others. Because He loves us so much, and overlooks our many faults, we can make room in our hearts to love others and forgive them their faults.

Just as we are likely to disappoint the expectations of others because of our afflictions, we must make an effort and make allowance for others and their various weaknesses. Sometimes they will disappoint us with moral failings. We understand better than most “the weakness of the flesh” as the Bible says.

Our weakness may not be sin related, but we know how well circumstances and surroundings can affect one’s actions and abilities. Our capacity and understanding for human failings should be huge because of our experience with affliction.

The love and grace of God upholds us in affliction. God’s love and mercy, His compassion and kindness can be a great comfort to us in affliction. We are sobered by just how weak the human body can be, and just how much it fails us, and yet because of our experiences in affliction we can express love and compassion that is born out of affliction and our experiences with suffering. Of course we could let our experiences make us bitter and hard in our hearts, but the better path is to learn from our difficulties and let our challenges soften and teach rather than harden and embitter us.

Take comfort in the fact that God’s love for you is unfailing. Know that no matter how much you fall short in life, God is not willing to give up on you. And as you face your challenges and difficulties, be willing make room for the shortcomings of others, we are all imperfect beings, and we share the imperfections of humanity.

Prayer: Dear Lord, be patient with us and help us to be patient with others. Forgive us our weaknesses and failings, and help us to forgive others as well. Amen.

About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. He is author of the book “Chronic Illness” available in the Amazon Kindle store.

You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com

Are you grateful for the fact that God loves you no matter what you do? Are you willing to love others no matter their shortcomings?

My prognosis is poor. Still is no cure for my illness, multiple sclerosis. The only guarantee I have is that my disease will progress. Medication can slow the progression. Small comfort.

Is there something to hold onto when the world offers little hope?

Here’s an option. Look beyond this life to heaven.

So the choices are: dwell on the current situation or consider glory in heaven.

Painful life now or pain-free eternity.

Hmmm. . . I’ll pick the eternal focus.

But the daily problem remains. The pain is a loud shout. The promise of a renewed body is a faint whisper.The remedy? Drown out the haunting howl of hurt with precious promises.

Psalm 73:26 says,“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

I resolve to fill my head with sweet truths of His faithfulness. But the dueling drumbeats sound:

My feet ache. . . God is the strength of my heart. My hands hurt when I make a fist. . . God is the strength of my heart. My energy is depleted. . . God is the strength of my heart. My energy is depleted. . . God is the strength of my heart. Cognition problems creep in the fear floods my heart. . . God is the strength of my heart.

Eventually the divine drumbeat is all that remains: God is the strength of my heart.

Each day is like changing the channel in my brain. One station broadcasts fear and pain. Another offers hope.

The Rotten Reality station spews cruel messages: Time to get out of bed. I am too tired. Why is life so hard?

I switch to the Blessed Assurance station. God is the strength of my heart.

I slither out of bed. Then stand immovable. Waiting for the sensation that signals my legs are ready to carry me. Better make dinner while I still have the strength. No one knows how exhausted I am. How I am going to do the errands I have to do? Poor me!

Switch to: God is the strength of my heart. . .God is the strength of my heart.

Next thing I know, I’m functioning. Joyful.

Prayer: Dear Protector of my soul, when my future seems so uncertain and even bleak with this illness, I remember that You have a plan for my life. This affliction often makes no sense, but Your Word tells there is a purpose in all things. “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” And, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Thanks be for the blessed assurance of eternal life with You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

About the Author:
Vicki understands special needs as a patient, parent, and professor. She has had multiple sclerosis since 1993. Her 31 year old son was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. She’s taught special education as a teacher, administrator, and adjunct professor. Through her online community she reaches out to other parents of children with special needs. http://theblogfrog.com/1505794

You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com

What uplifting verse echoes in your mind throughout the day?

White knuckles grasped the arm rests. “Just a bit of turbulence,” the flight attendant’s voice cracked as lightning reached for us and thunder yelled at our arrogant plane flying through his sky.

Too frightened to feel fear, I mashed my nose into the plastic window as dark clouds turned opaque. Rain pelted the window. The lightning flashed around me. The interior lights flickered out. Darkness had conquered our plane.

I looked around hoping to see the flight attendant in the glow of the emergency row lights. Nothing. I looked out the window, hoping to see a break. Nothing. I closed my eyes and considered the age old analogy of pushing through the storms of life: keep walking through it, the storm will pass.

But we did not fly through it, we flew up–into it. The trajectory forced my head against the back of the seat. Why continue flying up? We needed to land.

Milliseconds loitered until white flashed in the window again. I pressed my face back to the plastic as the plane surged through the top of the cloud. I looked down to see the storm we escaped, but the turmoil below hid, cowering beneath the rippling marshmallow cloud-floor. I saw no ominous clouds, only sunshine and beauty reflecting off a fountain of wispy clouds.

I am learning to push through storms when they attack, but the quickest way out of the storm is straight up. Above the storm, the sun still shines.

Now I know, when lightning and thunder join forces with rain, I have no armor. I cannot fight. But I can look up. And in the heavens, I can see their weaknesses and remember that beyond them, the sun beams.

Prayer: Father, I see the storm in my life and I know I cannot fight it. I am overwhelmed by the pain. Help me look up so the rains of despair do not drown me. Amen.

Welcome to our newest writer!
Andrea Hitefield lives in Dallas, TX, and is a current student at Dallas Theological Seminary. She loves drinking tea and watching the storms pass by her apartment window. She enjoys finding small treasures to help her deal with a life of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.

You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com

What ways can you look up when the storm pelts you with rain?

Mother’s Day. It’s a mixed bag of emotions depending on your life experiences. Some people will think of their own mother and her precious role in their lives; others will grieve the mother that is no longer here on earth; and some of you will think of the mother you still have here on earth–but who never fulfilled the role of “mom” in the way you dreamed.

Many women will get precious handmade gifts from their little ones; others will sit along and wait for a phone call from their adult child that never comes.

And still, some women will grieve extra hard this day that they are not celebrating being a mom. Perhaps they have not conceived, or they have lost a child. Some will suffer even more silently as they grieve the abortion they had years ago and imagine how old that child would now be.

I celebrate today as a mother because a very special woman gave me her baby through adoption. She looked me in the eyes and said, “I trust you completely.”

God loves us more than we can even imagine. Ephesians 1:5 says, “He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ.” Whatever you are feeling today, be it joy or sorrow, know that you have been adopted by God. He loves us in a way that we cannot even fathom. His love is intense, extraordinary, possessive, and wondrous. We are His. You have done nothing so wrong that God will not claim you as His child.

And scripture tells us that “He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children.” As a woman who dealt with infertility issues, I can say that we are a pretty emotional bunch. To settle us is no easy task. To use the example of settling a barren woman, tells us that nothing is beyond the Lord’s power, and that He can bring comfort in any circumstances, even the hurting heart of one who longs to nurture a child.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be the person You desire for to be and settle me with that peace You speak of in scriptures. Do not leave my side as I experience whatever you have in store for me today, on Mother’s Day.

About the Author:
Lisa Copen has been very blessed to have an amazing mother who is her best friend. She is a mother because another mother surrendered to what she believed was God’s will and gave her child to Lisa and her husband through the gift of adoption. Lisa is currently working on a book for Christian moms who live with chronic illness.

You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians he gives us the above advice–words we’ve no doubt heard many times before.

When I read these instructions again recently, I was in a pretty bad place. Emotionally I was really struggling and I knew that because I was finding it hard to just make it through each day, I was less tolerant of other people around me and quicker to be critical, or thoughtless in my responses to them.

I guess you could say that this verse really hit home.

I know that I can be hard to be around when I go through those times where the chronic part of chronic pain, really gets me down. When I find myself overwhelmed by my circumstances and wondering how I’m going to keep on doing this, when it’s so hard.

Those around me, may not be able to understand what I’m going through, or may not even be aware that I’m struggling–so the rude, critical, or offhand responses I make, may seem hurtful.

This passage goes on to say the following things:
“Be kind and compassionate. . . Be imitators of God. . . live a live of love.” (Ephesians 4:32 5:1-2)

That’s hardly how I’ve felt towards others–I’m ashamed to say. I know I fall short of that behaviour so many times.

I’ve often said that it appears God has chosen not to heal me now, but He has given me the grace to go on living with my pain. Only by God’s grace can I go on facing each day and only with His help can every word, thought and act–be love.

Prayer: Father, may the words I speak, be helpful, not hurtful to others and may my behaviour be something to point others towards You, not turn them away. I acknowledge that I can’t do this alone, I daily need your help. Amen.

About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful for the difference God makes in her life, and the lessons He is teaching her, as she lives with chronic back pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, and photography, and to travel when she is able. You can contact her in the Sunroom.

You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com

Have there been times when you have said or done things that have turned others away from God? How do you stop that from happening?

It has been one of those weeks where I’ve realized how important it is to rely on my faith. My illness has caused added symptoms and made things difficult. My doctor wasn’t in so I saw his partner for a sick visit. He didn’t agree with my own physician’s treatment plan and challenged it and my condition. He didn’t want to give me the IV therapy necessary to hydrate and stabilize me.

As I laid on the examining table–for if I sat up I was dizzy and weak–I had to extrapolate medical information from my brain of what I had; how I knew I had it and why I didn’t have the disease this doctor surmised. It was a surreal experience.

I survived the appointment and the nurse who was attending to me proved my advocate. She knew I needed the IV and debated the doctor. He finally agreed and noticed once it was nearly complete that my coloring improved; my eyes were focused and I had energy. He never admitted the fluids helped (those he called placebo) but it didn’t matter.

I received an antibiotic, fluids and confidence to know I could handle a medical person that was so antagonistic I will never see him again.

After thinking about this I’ve realized something. . . God was with me. I couldn’t have done this without Him. I had friends praying for me and I am sure that helped. Sure, I know my medical condition, but in my weakened state sometimes I cannot think clearly. But I was alert intellectually and convinced the Holy Spirit intervened in that office to help me deal with the doctor; and provided that exact nurse, who has been with me in this medical journey, to assist.

I could not have done it alone. Despite illness we can all handle difficult situations when we have God along for the journey.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for guiding me through my doctor’s appointment and providing the courage and strength to handle the challenges presented. Thank You for helping me realize that I am still capable despite having a chronic illness. Please guide each one of us when we meet challenging people whom we must deal with and help us to seek Your help in these areas. Amen.

Welcome to our new writer!
Laura Seil Ruszczyk lives in New York with her husband and three kids. She recently had to retire from her job as an elementary school counselor. She is writing a book about her struggles with dysautonomia _ a neurological condition in which your autonomic nervous system breaks, affected such things as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and temperature regulation.

What challenges have you faced that you have realized you were able to deal with head-on with the power of God’s love and support?

When I write a devotional I do not think about the thousands of people who may read what I write, but rather the one person who will be reading it, someone like myself who is living with an affliction. Reading is mostly a solitary thing with the author and the reader taking part in communication, relating to each other on some level, having a shared experience.

I was recently flipping through channels on my TV and I came across a music video by 2Pac called: “Ghetto Gospel.” Now I live in the suburbs of the Midwest and I could not tell you the first thing about the ghetto, but I liked the video. It shared the common human experience of loss and suffering, and the uncommon experience of faith in God. We may each have different backgrounds and come from different cultures, but we will all suffer, and those blessed to find salvation have the same source of strength and power to uphold them in times of affliction.

Sometimes when we are staring at the same four walls, finding that our home is now our prison of affliction, we can forget there are so many others out there enduring suffering just as we are, irregardless of skin color or background. We each have the same beating heart that feels pain and knows suffering. To live is to know pain and suffering and affliction, in this we are all the same.

When we walk by people on the street or by people at the store, there are no signs around their neck saying: “I Am Hurting!” Too many people suffer in silence whether alone or in a crowd. And when things are not going well for us we can develop tunnel vision to the point we truly believe no one knows or can understand what we are going through, yet everyone will at some point in their lives know suffering. We are certainly not alone–we are one in suffering.

When we believe in Christ He becomes part of our lives and He can transform us from the inside out. He also forms a connection between us as we are all made into His church. He is our spiritual connection to each other, and we each have a human connection as we collectively have a human nature, but we are doubly connected through Christ.

Nothing is so lonely as the individual wrapped up in suffering. Our pain can isolate and even divide us from one another, but in the big picture the things we suffer individually make us one. Perhaps right now you are feeling lonely and divided from humanity, maybe your pain has caused you to put up walls that isolate you from those around you and the larger world outside. I would encourage you to remember our common humanity, and our uncommon connection and salvation through our Redeemer Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Dear Lord, the pain and suffering that isolates us requires Your intervention to reconnect us through our faith in You. Bring us together in Your love and peace irregardless of the things we suffer. Amen.

About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. God is his comfort in times of suffering and isolation.

You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com

Do you feel like you are sometimes isolated by your affliction? Does suffering make you want to draw away, or draw near others?

This is the actual house Bronlynn writes about...

“He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25b).

There is a lovely home in my city that lifts my spirits each time I see it. I drive by it intentionally because it makes me feel happy and refreshed just by looking at it. It is separated from the street by a white wooden fence, and each summer this fence is covered with beautiful flowers. The house is very neat and cozy-looking, giving the impression that anyone is welcome to stop by for a visit.

I also know a lovely, godly woman who reminds me of this house. She is a delight to be around, and although I’m sure she has problems, the joy and refreshment of her presence is like those cheery flowers. She is a model I would like to imitate.

Living with pain can dampen my joy for life and even for the company of others at times. My personality has also never been an outgoing one and tends to be more pessimistic than optimistic. Yet God has the ability to enable me, and each of us, to refresh others. He is not limited by our limitations.

Sometimes it may simply mean a kind word of blessing to a store clerk or an encouraging Facebook or email message. Other times we may have the strength to minister to someone in greater depth.

Whatever refreshment we give though will yield returns to us as well. Interestingly enough, the King James Version of this verse says that he that waters shall also be watered. When we willingly pour out the water of God’s encouragement and love to others–no matter how briefly– He revives our spirits and fills us with more of His life-giving water to give.

Even during the winter months the memory of those flowers at that house seems to linger, continuing to give a delightfully welcoming impression. In the same way, during times when we have nothing to give, the memories we have given may linger and leave lasting impressions of blessings.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are all Your vessels of refreshment to someone, somewhere, at some time. Thank you that when we allow You to refresh others through us, we are in turn refreshed by You. 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, and fibromyalgia. You may view her blog of devotionals at www.aplaceofsprings57.blogspot.com.

You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com

How has God used you to refresh others?

Our Lord’s heart goes out to His people when they must endure pain and suffering, as stated in the verse above. Our Jesus is the Lord of compassion and mercy. We can see in the gospel of Luke, Chapter 7, examples that prove His compassion for His people. The Lord was anxious to fulfill the needs of the people He encountered–their physical, as well as spiritual ones.

One account tells of a widow whose only son had died and was about to be buried. The Lord knew the woman had suffered much loss in her life and was well acquainted with grief. Luke says that when Jesus saw her, He had compassion on her. The Lord brought her only son back from the dead. In all likelihood, the awestruck widow could hardly contain her joy.

Luke continues to tell of the people who were on the receiving end of our Lord’s loving compassion and mercy, as He healed the people of all kinds of infirmities, plagues, and evil spirits. (Luke 7: 21) He ministered to those who were deaf, blind, and lame as well. (Luke 7:22) During His short time of ministry, Jesus performed all sorts of miracles that revealed His compassionate nature.

Jesus loved the unlovely and imperfect people who gathered around Him, hoping for a morsel of grace from the Lord’s banquet table. Jesus saw these people as they were, saw the pain in their tortured eyes, sensed their needs. Then He went about supplying those needs. Often, He took a person who had only experienced hardship and loneliness since birth, and took away the pain and suffering in an instant.

In many cases, a life plagued with sorrow suddenly turned into a life filled with joy and hope for the future. All because these people met a man who was the epitome of love and merciful compassion. Because they encountered a man who could see their need, and did what was necessary to fill that need.

Today, Jesus is still all about mercy and compassion. He desires to fill the needs of his people today, just as He did all those years ago. For those who must suffer pain and hardship on a daily basis, it helps to be reminded of this. We only need remember that He is there, waiting for us to call upon His name in our hour of need.

Prayer: It is a well known fact that bad things happen to good people. Help us to note that You don’t bring suffering upon us, but that you allow it to happen for Your reasons. May we always remember the great compassion and love You have for us. Help us to call upon that compassion and mercy when we are struggling to cope. Amen.

About the author:
Lanette Kissel is a freelance writer of Inspirational poetry, articles, and devotionals. She lives in southern Indiana with her adopted Yorkie-poo, Benjy, and enjoys singing in her church choir. Her work has appeared in Mature Living magazine, The War Cry, Purpose, and others.

You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com

God has the power to prevent our suffering. So why do you think He allows bad things to happen to good people, (to His people)?