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Don’t Waste Your Exile Of Illness

June 2, 2013 By 8 Comments
WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE CHRONIC ILLNESS IS A FOREIGN LAND, do you pack to leave, or set up a tent? Can life still be joyful despite illness? Yes, a #devotional writer shares how we can't "waste our exile" when we are living th daily pain.

"Don't waste your pain!" We hear others say, but what exactly does that mean? Bronlynn shares her thoughts. “How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?” (Psalm 137:4). Many of us are familiar with the book Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper. Our pastor recently began a sermon series related to this concept, and not wasting our “exiles” was one of them. This verse in Psalms was written when the Israelites were captives in Babylon. Their captors taunted them to sing, and they felt they could not do it. Their joys, hopes, and dreams were left behind in their homeland. Chronic pain and illness can feel like being exiled in a foreign land. Our hopes and dreams have been crushed. We may have been in this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Coping Skills, Devotionals, Spiritually Struggling, Suicidal Thoughts, What's New?

It’s Good To Be Here Another Day

May 1, 2013 By 9 Comments
DO YOU EVER WISH FOR HEAVEN AND NO LONGER WANT TO BE HERE... and then suddenly something happens when your life IS AT RISK and suddenly you realize how precious life is? #devotional

There are some days we long for heaven, but Elizabeth reminds us to be grateful for God allowing us to be here another day. “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith. . ." (Philippians 1:25) Can you identify with Paul in verse 23, being torn between preferring life or death? It is a place we visit frequently as believers who travel the narrow way while ill and in pain. Chronic pain and illness with no imminent resolution brings us to such a place more often than the average pilgrim. I’ve had a nasty bout with this recently. It wasn’t really suicidal, just a longing to have a cold and lifeless (thus, painless) body and a free spirit. Indeed it is a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Suicidal Thoughts, What's New?

Living With Worry and Fear, Dread And Doubt

February 17, 2013 By 6 Comments
ARE YOU GOING THROUGH A ROUGH TIME AND CAN'T SEE THE END OF THE WORRY AND FEAR? Even though it doesn't feel like it God is still there and He tells us He will provide? How can you begin to practice faith instead of worry when the world tells you worry is a natural part of life? #devotional

Are you dealing with a LOT of worry and fear? Karlton shares that he understands and encourages you to get some support. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" (Matthew 6:25) I sometimes think that with illness and disability, worry is itself a symptom of chronic illness. The constant stress, the adjustment to endless difficulties, the frustration of daily dealing with affliction, these things invite worry, fear, dread, and doubt. Sometimes medication is necessary to help us with the anxiety that arises from living with chronic illness. Counseling may be helpful, finding a sympathetic ear to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Fear, Grief, Loneliness, Suicidal Thoughts, What's New?, Worry

When Anxious Thoughts Get Buried Instead of Surrendered

August 16, 2012 By 3 Comments
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Anxious thoughts can easily overtake us. But Lisa reminds us not to bury them either. "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts." (Psalm 139:23) Last week I woke up with many anxious thoughts after having a dream that my son had been placed in a classroom for both fourth and fifth graders. In the dream he had a fast-paced teacher that I was worried would leave him behind. The week before, I dreamed I had to move to get away from something dangerous, yet I was paralyzed. It wasn't fear paralyzingly me, but something I recognized as my disease preventing me from doing something, I am not really a worrier. The benefit to staying busy and keeping my mind focused on Rest Ministries "stuff" is that I will claim I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Attitude, Devotionals, Fear, Suicidal Thoughts, What's New?, Worry Tagged With:

If God Never Gives Me More Than I Can Handle, Why Is Life So Hard?

August 12, 2012 By 19 Comments
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If God never gives me more than I can handle, then explain what is going on in my life! Have you ever felt this way? By Lisa Copen, this is a reprint from http://thinkingaboutsuicide.com where Lisa is a contributor. The web site is a good place to turn during those rough days to help you remember that God cares about you and is here beside you even when you don't feel like it. Over and over I have heard the saying, "God doesn't give you more than you can handle." But what about the pain. . . the grief. . . the depression. . . the darkness? It is more than we can handle. Much more. There are days that we wonder is life worth living if we have to get up every day and fight to be strong? We look enviously at others who seem to not … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Depression, Spiritually Struggling, Suicidal Thoughts, What's New?

What Are You Holding On To While In Pain?

July 15, 2012 By 5 Comments
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You want to get rid of the pain, but what are you holding on to that will replace the bitterness, fear, or other emotions? We all need something to hold on to, so make sure it is the right thing. “We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end” (Hebrews 3:14). Seeking encouragement, I scrolled through my iPod playlist for music that would uplift. I came upon an import of songs by Twila Paris from her "Where I Stand" CD. The one that became the inspiration for this devotional is titled, “Hold On.” Take a listen to "Hold On" before reading this if possible, as the lyrics to "Hold On" perfectly explain many of our circumstances. As we face our pain and illness, one question is in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Overwhelmed, Spiritually Struggling, Suicidal Thoughts, Videos, What's New?, Worry Tagged With: , , , ,

The Losses Caused by Illness, A New Perspective

July 5, 2012 By 5 Comments
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"What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ." (Philippians 3:8) In my once oh so busy life, I barely had room for God. Now, God has afforded me the luxury of time--time I can spend with Him. When I first became a Christian, I had a fervor to be with Him in prayer and Scripture reading. I made time for Him. Yet, as my life grew busier, my times with God grew fewer and fewer and my ardor for Him dimmed. Eventually God took a back seat in my life. But I had reasons for it, right? Family? Work. School. Surely God approved of all those things. Now, as I sit in the chair that has just … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Fear, Suicidal Thoughts, What's New?

Avoiding a Life of Misery: Facing Down The Aches and Pains

June 26, 2012 By 1 Comment
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A note from Lisa: Remember, if you feel you have a life of misery, suffer from depression, or even deal with suicidal thoughts you are not alone. In the devotional below, Karlton speaks of both extreme depression that need medical intervention, as well as our "melancholy moods." There is a great difference between these two areas, but they are often lumped together. If you are feeling suicidal at all, I encourage you to visit a Christian web site I write for ThinkingAboutSuicide.com or seek out immediate help. __________________________ When coping with chronic illness it can feel like we are leading a life of misery. God is bigger than our circumstances, however, and gives us hope to hold onto. "Then we cried out to the Lord, the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Depression, Devotionals, Suicidal Thoughts, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Fight Thoughts Of Suicide With A Random Act of Kindness

May 30, 2012 By 5 Comments
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Feeling suicidal or blue can be normal when you live with chronic illness. One way to fight them each day is by doing a random act of kindness. By Lisa Copen, this is a reprint from http://thinkingaboutsuicide.com where Lisa is a contributor. The web site is a good place to turn during those rough days to help you remember that God cares about you and is here beside you even when you don't feel like it. Experiencing that rock-bottom depression and pain--both physical and emotional--can quickly convince you that there is nothing worth getting out of bed for one more morning. You may even be wondering if you should keep fighting those thoughts of suicide, or if it is finally time to just give in. Perhaps you are tired of fighting and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Coping Skills, Depression, Fear, Founder's Blog, Loneliness, Person w/ Illness, Suicidal Thoughts, What's New?

How A God Rapper Encourages Those Depressed

May 15, 2012 By 1 Comment
hopeboy1

Dominic wouldn't necessarily call himself a "God rapper" but he certainly knows how to reach those who need the Lord. By Debbie Farmer Recently I read a letter from a young man named Dominic Cook (also known as "Dooch") who uses his pain to encourage others with his music. His testimony was such a blessing to me and I am going to share this interview with you now and hope that you too can also receive a blessing today. Dominic Cook (AKA: "Dooch") Please tell us about yourself and how you got into the music industry--became of God rapper. Where to start, where to start. . . Well, I’m a 27-year-old, husband, married, and going on 8 years. I have been a Christian going on 7 years now and a father of 5. My youngest Joshua, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Depression, Fear, Loneliness, Ministry - Personal, Music, Profiles, Spiritually Struggling, Suicidal Thoughts, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Dominic Cook’s Unique Testimony Reaches Those Suffering From Depression

May 14, 2012 By 1 Comment
hopeboy2

By Debbi Farmer Eventually, we will all feel blue. We will have days, even weeks when we are sad. Many can rebound from these emotions--but many cannot. We face tragedies and struggles that can turn our world completely upside down. And sadly there are times also when physical changes in our body can cause clinical depression even when life appears to the world to be running smoothly. When you have depression, it interferes with daily life and causes pain for both you and those who care about you. Depression is a common but serious illness. Many people with a depressive illness never even seek treatment. Helping someone with depression can be a challenge. If someone in your life has depression, they may feel helpless and you … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Depression, Fear, Parents of Adult Children, Profiles, Suicidal Thoughts, Teen w/ Illness, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Why Bother Living When I Am Facing a Serious Infection Without a Hand to Hold?

May 9, 2012 By 3 Comments
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By Lisa Copen, this is a reprint from http://thinkingaboutsuicide.com where Lisa is a contributor. The web site is a good place to turn during those rough days to help you remember that God cares about you and is here beside you even when you don't feel like it. Have you ever wondered where God is when no one seems to hold your hand through those tough times? When you cope with health problems, you hold on and fight to stay positive, but there are days when you can easily wonder, "Why bother living when I am facing a serious infection without a hand to hold?" It was the seventh day of being hospitalized with the flesh eating bacteria and I felt so alone. The couple of people who had visited were friends my husband had emailed or … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Depression, Loneliness, Person w/ Illness, Suicidal Thoughts, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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