We all have days when we don't want to hear about God's purpose in the suffering, we just want to feel better. Still, Karlton shares how our outlook impacts our life dramatically. "The Lord said, 'I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.'" (Exodus 3:7) It is the miserable times of my illness that are so challenging. You know what I mean, there is the normal, "everyday bad", and then there is the truly "miserable bad." Those miserable bad days really make me want to give the devil a black eye. It's my hope that God can somehow use all that misery for His glory, that instead of me falling to my knees in pain and suffering, I … [Read more...]

We can feel alone in our suffering many times, but when we look at our memories, Bronlynn explains, we often see God's presence and faithfulness. “My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you” (Psalm 42:5). Although not an art expert, I do enjoy looking at lovely photos and paintings. Sometimes the frame itself enhances the picture greatly. The backdrop can add or detract from it as well. How many of us have taken pictures only to discover that something unattractive was hiding in the background and ruining the scene? I’ve also seen pictures that were unremarkable in one frame but became quite eye-catching in another. In her Bible study Believing God, Beth Moore said that David and Jeremiah, among others, … [Read more...]

It is so hard to be patient, isn't it? Lynn dives into this scripture and shares an honest look at what many of us struggle with. “Love is patient, love is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4a). I can glance over 1 Corinthians 13, thinking I know it well. I need to slow down and let God speak to me through it. Am I patient? It is easier for me to be patient with others than with myself. Lord, forgive me for putting heavy expectations onto myself--feeling a failure when I do not meet them. Thank You for your loving [unconditional] acceptance of me. Do I envy, boast or parade around proudly? [vs. 4] I can envy those whose lives appear easier than mine. I struggle with being single. I give encouragement to others and need to take the same … [Read more...]

What happens when you change your focus from fear and unbelief, to waiting on the Lord with expectation? Diane shares . . . “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) This verse often strikes us as being a contradiction. If the man believes, why is he asking Jesus to help him with his unbelief? But in recent weeks I have understood exactly how he felt. I have been fighting with “what if” thoughts and scenarios over and over. First we were faced with my GI doctor leaving the practice and moving quite a distance away. What if I can’t find another doctor to listen? It took four years to find this one! What if no one will take me, as I’m not the usual GI patient? Too … [Read more...]

Now that Easter season has officially passed, are you able to keep your attitude of hope that you felt during this time, about God's resurrection? “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15) Resurrection and hope are synonymous for Christians, and rightly so. I find myself all too often approaching the empty tomb in a self-centered way. Rejoicing in the payday without really let it sink in that it really never was about me. News flash, eh? My ego centric attitude was well broken when I read the following statement: Easter is not a victory to be celebrated; it is a reality to be lived. Is it a year … [Read more...]

When we get dressed in an outfit each morning, do we consider how we are clothing ourselves in God's spirit? Diane asks. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossian 3:12) I live in Florida and have done so all my life, which is a rare thing if you speak to most that live here. So when we have cold weather I have to say I am a wimp! I complain when it gets below 60, and am usually wearing a heavy jacket. My husband, who is from up north originally and works outside most of the time, just looks at me and shakes his head. He always says this is the perfect weather he moved here for. My point is that when it was just a little … [Read more...]

It's easy to grow weary of living in survival mode, but if you want to go above and beyond the pain, here is one tip Elizabeth has for you. “As it is written:’ For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:36-37) So much effort goes into just getting by. We budget our energies, shift priorities, and rarely accomplish what we hope to. Not much comes easy when we battle pain and illness on top of everything else. Did you ever wonder where that conquering part comes in? We feel like we are surrendering at every turn. Many are the times I feel like a luckless loser when it comes to health. We know … [Read more...]

When we only see pain, it can be hard to cling to God's promise of a future of hope and peace, but Pat explains, because it is a promise of God's we can hold onto it with faith. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (Jeremiah 29:11) During the past couple of weeks, the pain in my legs and feet has been continuous and more severe with little relief. In addition, I am having a knee pain that I have not experienced before. Perhaps the cold weather has brought changes in pain level or perhaps there are neurological changes which are progressing. At any rate, my mind continues to remind me that perhaps I will need to cope with more pain … [Read more...]

It is hard to see the positives in our life some days. We feel like we are suffering and not justly--we just are. Where do you turn at these moments? "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." (2 Corinthians 10:12) As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches here in the USA we begin to see blog posts as well as articles on our favorite news sites about one theme: how to be thankful. Whether they point us to 5 easy steps to find thankfulness in our daily life, or how to be thankful despite the fact that your children won't stop bickering, everyone it talking about the ease at which we can focus on how … [Read more...]