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Devotion: Encouraged By God’s Creation When Illness Threatens To Make Life Seem Dark

April 14, 2012 By 15 Comments
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"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)> At a recent visit to a nearby Nature Center I got a close up view of some of God's creatures. The beauty and the detail worked into birds, mammals, and reptiles is amazing. I have always thought that for those who do not believe there is a God, how do they explain the beauty of so many creatures? To merely survive, such symmetry, color, amazing shapes, intelligent design, and beauty would not be necessary in a random creation process. For those of us with chronic health issues, I think the need to connect with … [Read more...]

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Devotion: Human Suffering and Learning To Live Without Answers of Our Illness

October 8, 2011 By 2 Comments
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"Terrors overwhelm me; my dignity is driven away as by the wind, my safety vanishes like a cloud. And now my life ebbs away; days of suffering grip me." (Job 30:15-16) Suffering. It is as old as the day of mankind’s first sin. No wonder we want to attribute some sin to everything that happens to us, or to someone else. Sometimes it may be a sin or some foolish act that has caused our pain and brought us to the place we are now. But more than likely it is a mystery as to why we are chosen, or struck by “fate.” I have wasted more time wondering if I might have done something to cause my illness, or rather, might have done something to prevent it. I wish I had spent that time thinking on positives, or at least dwelling on another … [Read more...]

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Part 2 of 3: When We Question God

June 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Can We Believe in a God Who Allows Suffering? Part 2 of 3: When We Question God By Bridget Gazlay This is a 3-part article series. You can read Part 1 here: Reflections On Job Yesterday we ended the article saying that Job knew he was innocent and blameless and that God must have His reasons for allowing all the pain and suffering. This, however, does not mean that Job didn't have a few questions for God. From the pits of despair he asked God. . . "Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you? Does it please you to oppress me, to spurn the work of your hands, while you smile on the schemes of the wicked? Your hands shaped me and made me. Will you … [Read more...]

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Devotion: In Times of Adversity Praising God is Hard, But Valuable

April 21, 2011 By 5 Comments
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". . . the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." (Job 1:21) Our lives become drastically altered when a spouse's health is taken away. My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer near the end of 2005. The next three years were like a roller coaster ride, filled with good news and bad, hope and despair. Dave bravely faced his cancer demon. And with the Lord's help, I remained by his side, supporting him through it all until God said "Enough" and called him home near the end of 2008. The Lord's faithful servant, Job, became well acquainted with the words 'taken away.' Job enjoyed the good life and had accumulated much wealth. God had richly blessed him. Yet God allowed Satan to take away those … [Read more...]

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Can I Be Mad at God About My Illness? 3 Ways to Know

August 27, 2009 By 1 Comment
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"When I was first diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, I was relieved at first," shares Cindy. "So many doctors kept telling me to see a psychiatrist, but I knew it was my body, not my head, that was in trouble." She explains, "I had spent so much time before my diagnosis being mad, having my illness finally validated was a great feeling. But six months later, the anger set in the pain management of the illness seemed to barely exist." Many people are familiar with the book "On Death and Dying," written by a well-known doctor in Switzerland, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. The book explains how people deal with any kind of loss, but especially that which they face when coping with an illness. It includes a description of the cycle of … [Read more...]

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