When God designed your life, do you think He knew illness would be part of it? Dorothea shares.
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
Psalm 139:14 says I’m fearfully and wonderfully made. Genesis 1:31 states that God declares all of His creations good.
Yet, today’s verse challenges me. It turns my focus to God. He has something specific for me to do. Can I accomplish it? Can I make this verse a reality in my life?
I’m struggling, learning to manage new painful and debilitating conditions. Some days I’m overwhelmed by the inability to complete simple chores. I can’t imagine doing anything good enough to bring glory and honor to God.
I feel inadequate. Unworthy. Useless.
This new condition threatens my ability to care for myself. I plead with God for help, praying a prayer of surrender, “Father, forgive my fear and doubt. Help me depend on You in this new season of suffering. Use my limits for Your glory.”
I sit for a while and begin to feel peace. I start to think about the power of Rest Ministries–the men and women who inspire and encourage me every day, who use their writing gifts to bless so many people around the world.
I reflect on the struggles they share and I find the courage to say, “Yes, Lord” –even to this. I will write through the pain, trust when fatigued, praise Him as I go from one appointment to the next.
Acknowledging God’s sovereignty brings me hope and eliminates my internal struggle. God has allowed this trial for a reason He determines necessary for me at this point in my life.
I may not like it or understand it. That’s okay. As long as I continue to trust God and His perfect love for me, my faith will be refined. Sooner or later, His purpose will be revealed and I will gain wisdom and strength from it.
Prayer: Father, I thank You for Rest Ministries. Thank You for the daily reminders of Your love and care for us. Even though we struggle with our limits, help us rely on Your strength and power to do the things You created us to do. Amen.
About the Author:
Dorothea Love lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Norman. They are the parents of two adult children. She has lived with chronic illness and pain for over 30 years. She knows she must rely on God’s grace to strengthen her whenever she faces a challenge. She invites you to read some of her other work on her blog: www.dorothealove.wordpress.com.
What is your attitude about setting goals or making plans? Do you try to hope for the best and then have a Plan B if things do not go as planned? Or do you avoid making plans at all?
This video, “Be Still, O My Soul” with The City Harmonic shows many photos from past decades and it’s worth taking a moment to just consider the lives lived. So many have lived… and so many have suffered… and yet, so many have found the peace of the Lord. As this song says, we are all dust. Even if we are tired… or old… or just feel old– don’t shortchange your message by allowing your illness to prevent you from the fingerprint God meant for you to leave on this world. -Lisa
Dorothea,
Thanks for this wonderful reminder that God knows our limits and He still finds things for us to do for Him.
I liked your plea, to “Use my limits for Your glory” – and glad that includes you writing for RM and in other places.
Praying for you as you adjust to your new limitations, and are open to how God wants you to still use you 🙂
Blessings,
Fiona
I am so sorry you have more limitations to deal with. I am here if you want to talk, I too am walking this path and I am ahead of you. I will extend a loving arm my friend.
Keeping you in prayer,
Sandy Platt
Thanks to you Dorothea.
Sharing your message.
And God loves us so much even were not perfect. And we have God to encourage us to Increased our Faith and to Trust him completely.
Thank you ? so much Lisa.
Dorothea – your message hits home with all of us as we each face wondering how our fragile bodies ( and often emotions ) can give God glory. Where is the goodness that once we viewed with different eyes. Dealing with “more” ( as has come into your life and also to some others among our readers ) gives rise for that question to be real.
I struggle with it, as well, and as I do I am drawn to remembering it is God’s goodness – the goodness He won for each of us in his own agonies, we find a competed work. We are still moving through our purposes here on earth and have not a clue as to what He is bringing out of our suffering and our feeling limited in what we can “do” compared to what we once could do.
“Doing” – what a complex word with limited meanings. Our trust in Him, our faith in Him, our acceptance of what we cannot understand may be the greatest “work” we ever do. And even in that, it is always His strength and faithfulness that pulls us through – tangible or not to others eyes – in our relationship with Him “we” work it out together. This is much as you said – don’t mean to repeat it but this is what came to my heart.
Love and continuing prayers for each of your days –
Lynn
Such an encouraging message at this time when my heart failure is getting worse and I feel completely exhausted most of the time. Thank you and bless you.
Dorothea, just beautiful! Thank you friend for the hopefulness you have projected.
Praying for you, his sweet and humble servant ,as God uses you mightily.
God bless, di