Failed back syndrome Archives - Rest Ministries - Chronic Illness and Pain Support

‘Why Won’t God Heal You?’ I Am Asked. Here is My Answer

June 25, 2012 By admin 6 Comments

"Why won't God heal you?" These words can sting because they feel like judgement, but I have learned how to answer with bold faith. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) Many times I'm asked, "Why doesn't God heal you?" or "Why does God allow you to be in such pain?" What happened today, is a good example that. . . Let me tell you one answer to the question, "Why doesn't God heal you?" I went to the Department of Motor Vehicles today. I waited two hours for them to complete the transaction in about eight minutes (I ordered a disability license plate). I was very thankful that I was done in time to make it to my chiropractor … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Explaining Illness, Healing, What's New? Tagged With: Chronic pain, Failed back syndrome, God, god heal me, god heal you, Lord, Lord's Cricket Ground, Pain, Prayer

Devotion: High or Low: What is My Level of Praise?

January 24, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42:5) Tony Evans recently posted this comment on his web page: "When your level of complaining is at an all time high, it could mean that your level of praise is at an all time low." As it read it, I realized just how true it is. As I continued to think on it, I questioned: What makes my level of praise hit an all time low? It didn't take me long to figure out the answer. I've recently been doing a Bible study on "In the Presence of Jehovah" based on the song sung by Damaris Carbaugh. When I spend time in the presence of God, my level of praise rises to new heights. Being in God's presence is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: attitude impacts illness, Bible, Chronic pain, dealing with illness and bitterness, disappointed with god, Divine presence, Failed back syndrome, God, how we can choose to be thankful or resentful, Jehovah, praises, Psalm, Tony Evans, worshiping god when ill

Devotion: Are You Powerless or Powerful Regarding Your Illness?

January 6, 2012 By admin 2 Comments

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2 (Corinthians 4:7) On the way home from my chiropractor I saw a bumper sticker. It read: "POWERLESS." I thought, How depressing to be powerless! Am I powerless? Where does power originate? Am I powerless over my pain? My initial response was "yes." But then I had to change it to "no." I have a lot of power over my pain. I can allow my pain to be in control, or I can take control. Although there are some activities I can't do because of the pain, there are many I can do. I focus on the "cans" rather than the "cannots." Powerless. As I continued thinking, I realized that being powerless can apply to any area of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Failed back syndrome, God, Jesus, Jesus Christ, John 3:16, Lord, Pain, powerless

Devotion: Pain is Only Part of Who I Am

November 12, 2011 By admin 2 Comments

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (Psalm 139:13-14) In October 2000, I injured my back. Eight back surgeries have left me with "failed back surgery syndrome." Due to nerve and muscle damage in my back and left leg, I live with chronic pain. The other day a friend took me out to run some errands. We stopped to enjoyed lunch. During our conversation, my friend said something that stuck with me. "Pain in only one aspect of you. There is more to you and our friendship besides your pain. Yes, it's there, and I'm aware of it, but we don't focus on it." I am more than "just my pain." When … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Chronic pain, Failed back syndrome, God, Health, Pain, Pain Mgmt & Illnesses, rhonda sawtelle, Surgery

When Do We Sit Back And Let God Provide Versus Take Responsibility?

April 12, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) Since God will supply, do I just sit back and do nothing? Or do I have a responsibility to do something? If I do something, is that showing a lack of faith, or just being responsible? Now that I've got you thinking, I'll share my thoughts on the question. I think it's a combination of both --trusting God and doing my part. God does expect me to act responsibly and use my resources well. I need to make wise decisions and be a good steward of my money, time, talent, and resources. Of course, God can do anything and meet any need without any help from me! God does not need my help--believe me! Being on disability due to a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Coping Skills, Person w/ Illness, What's New? Tagged With: Christ Jesus, Epistle to the Philippians, Failed back syndrome, Faith, God, Jesus, Pharmaceutical drug, Thought

Devotion: God’s Grace Helps Us Be Complete and Effective, Even In Our Weakness of Illnesses

April 3, 2011 By admin 5 Comments

rope-weaknes-in-illness-grace-sufficient

"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9) I just finished a Bible study on God's grace and I learned some amazing things. One thing that stood out to me was the verse above, 2 Corinthians 12:9. I did some word studies on this scripture, and here is what I learned from breaking down this verse and looking at the meanings behind some of it's words. He has said: originally, "lay down to sleep," used of laying an argument to rest, moving to a conclusion Sufficient: be content, be enough, suffice Power: ability to perform; power through God's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Depression, Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Christ, Chronic pain, Divine grace, Failed back syndrome, God, Pain, rhonda sawtelle, Second Epistle to the Corinthians, weakness

Devotion: When in Chronic Pain, How Does God Show You ‘A Hug?’

March 29, 2011 By admin 3 Comments

"Know therefore that the Lord our God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands." (Deuteronomy 7:9) When you live with chronic pain you never know the type of day you will have. Oh, I can plan, but there are things of which I have no control, that can increase my pain level. Weather, good and bad, can increase pain. A simple movement, like emptying the dishwasher or brushing my teeth can send the pain through the roof. And of course, my attitude can affect my pain. If I am more positive it doesn't really lower the pain, it just better equips me to handle the pain. Today I had one of those higher than normal pain days. I thought it would be a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, What's New? Tagged With: Book of Deuteronomy, Chronic pain, Failed back syndrome, God, Health, Lord, Max, Pain

Wondering What God Will Do with Your Hopes & Dreams?

February 16, 2010 By admin 1 Comment

Have you ever questioned what God has planned for your life? Have you been frustrated that living with a chronic illness has forced you to give up so many of your dreams & goals? How do we keep having hope when our dreams are slipping through our fingers? These are all common questions that cross our mind when we find out that this physical pain we have is called "chronic." And there is no such thing as a "silly dream!" If you are wondering what God has planned for you & are a bit frustrated in this new year as those around you seem to be setting (& even reaching) goals, while you are just trying to get dressed each day, this CD presentation with Lisa Copen is for you! And we are marking it down temporarily to just $6.00 as part of our … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Coping Skills, Links, Person w/ Illness, RM Shop E-flyers Tagged With: Christian, Chronic, Chronic Illness, Compact Disc, Conditions and Diseases, dreams, Elizabeth George, Failed back syndrome, goals, Health, Illness, Kingdom of God, lisa copen, Max, Maze, Ministry, Pain, plans, Psychology, Puzzle, why cant i makke people understand