Psalm 94:19, When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.
As my body continues to battle this stomach bug I notice each day is increasingly more sad because I want to get out of this house and bed and start living again. An incident this time has brought me to a higher level though, a place where acceptance of suffering is more manageable. The other day when I was caring for my grand-daughter as she suffered from this same virus, I comforted her with a simplistic truth. Although you are throwing up let's list all the things that you aren't having to suffer with right now... No fever, no sore throat, no aches, no sinus pressure... you can see, taste, hear, feel my touch as I comfort you, you're not going through this alone, someone who loves you is with you, you have a support system of family and friends that will be there for you no matter what. You are in a safe place, snuggled in a cozy bed, there's heat in the house, clean water, amenities... Then, we prayed for specific things regarding her healing.
Needless to say, we didn't wake up till late the next day. Her stomach bug had passed and she was smiling again. A bit upset that she missed Valentine's Day at school but definitely overjoyed about feeling better. Before she left for home with her dad I reminded her how God had met all of her needs the night before. Every single need we offered up to Him in prayer, He answered. I reminded her to build a monument in her heart and mind so as to never forget God's great love and faithfulness.
When tragedy strikes, illness oppresses, things break down, health fails or just the complications of life become stressful and overwhelming, we have choices as to how we're going to handle it. I still loose it and cry or complain but I put a time limit on it now. I regroup my thoughts and feelings as I speak new truths to myself. I call someone who I know will empathize with me, comfort me, make me laugh or say a prayer with me. I recapture a grateful heart and remind myself of God's love and presence. I smile in my pain as I thank God that He has put people in my life that will bring me soup or whatever I need. I know now that as bad as something is it can always be worse and it is for many others, so I think of those people and pray for them.
Some days we are on the top of the cliff having a picnic in the sun, other days we are hanging on for dear life as we dangle from a root cliff-side. Then, there are those days when we feel like we are plummeting to our demise, flailing and panicking with uncertainty. Where ever you find yourself, remind yourself, you are never separated from the love of God. Life can be ugly, scary, unfair.... but there is one truth that I cling to, God is with me not against me. Find your peace with Him and let Him comfort you. Let your gratitude for His presence outweigh your pain.
Romans 8:39, No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
As my body continues to battle this stomach bug I notice each day is increasingly more sad because I want to get out of this house and bed and start living again. An incident this time has brought me to a higher level though, a place where acceptance of suffering is more manageable. The other day when I was caring for my grand-daughter as she suffered from this same virus, I comforted her with a simplistic truth. Although you are throwing up let's list all the things that you aren't having to suffer with right now... No fever, no sore throat, no aches, no sinus pressure... you can see, taste, hear, feel my touch as I comfort you, you're not going through this alone, someone who loves you is with you, you have a support system of family and friends that will be there for you no matter what. You are in a safe place, snuggled in a cozy bed, there's heat in the house, clean water, amenities... Then, we prayed for specific things regarding her healing.
Needless to say, we didn't wake up till late the next day. Her stomach bug had passed and she was smiling again. A bit upset that she missed Valentine's Day at school but definitely overjoyed about feeling better. Before she left for home with her dad I reminded her how God had met all of her needs the night before. Every single need we offered up to Him in prayer, He answered. I reminded her to build a monument in her heart and mind so as to never forget God's great love and faithfulness.
When tragedy strikes, illness oppresses, things break down, health fails or just the complications of life become stressful and overwhelming, we have choices as to how we're going to handle it. I still loose it and cry or complain but I put a time limit on it now. I regroup my thoughts and feelings as I speak new truths to myself. I call someone who I know will empathize with me, comfort me, make me laugh or say a prayer with me. I recapture a grateful heart and remind myself of God's love and presence. I smile in my pain as I thank God that He has put people in my life that will bring me soup or whatever I need. I know now that as bad as something is it can always be worse and it is for many others, so I think of those people and pray for them.
Some days we are on the top of the cliff having a picnic in the sun, other days we are hanging on for dear life as we dangle from a root cliff-side. Then, there are those days when we feel like we are plummeting to our demise, flailing and panicking with uncertainty. Where ever you find yourself, remind yourself, you are never separated from the love of God. Life can be ugly, scary, unfair.... but there is one truth that I cling to, God is with me not against me. Find your peace with Him and let Him comfort you. Let your gratitude for His presence outweigh your pain.
Romans 8:39, No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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