God is with Us through Painful Transitions in Life

“Surely, as I have planned it, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand”
(Isaiah 15:24).

A few weeks ago my father passed away from cancer.  It was quite a shock, since he died within two weeks of the diagnosis.  This has brought major changes into our lives, particularly for my mother.  Adjusting to being alone after 57 years of marriage is not easy.   She is now downsizing to a smaller apartment which will bring more changes.  But God is working things out in merciful and wonderful ways, and for that we are truly thankful.

In his book Nearing Home, Billy Graham says, “God designs transitions and provides the grace to embrace what follows.”  Those words bring me great comfort, although I am not always happy with the transitions God has for me. Pain and illness bring many transitions, yet God has an ordained plan for my life that He has purposed from the beginning.  He will provide the grace to not only survive it but to accept it and to readjust.

God’s Word is filled with lives of transition.  Moses went from prince to shepherd to leader of Israel. Abraham left his homeland and became a nomad to follow God. The disciples gave up their livelihoods and relationships for Jesus to the point of death.  These examples and many others in Scripture must have been difficult, yet we know the blessings that resulted from them.

Living life with God is never stagnant.  Change will come, but His grace and presence are with us.  Every transition provides an opportunity to see more of His power and strength in our lives.

As I help my mom move on to a new phase, I need to be willing to do the same.  Whatever transitions I have yet to face may not be easy, but they are bringing me to my final destination of perfection and endless joy – and that’s a transition I am ready to make.

Prayer:  O Lord, you have ordained my days before I was even born.  Give me a positive and trusting attitude as I move through the transitions in my life, knowing that You are working all things for my ultimate good.  Amen.

As We Pray to See Signs of Jesus through Our Pain, We Ourselves May Be a Sign

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory. . . Since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart” (II Corinthians 3:18-4:1).

On my more difficult days I sometimes yearn for a personal sign from God.  Some days He speaks through a song, a particular Scripture passage, or through beauty in nature.  Other times He shows Himself through the encouragement of believers.

As children of God we are all instruments of His love and presence to others. I have received cards and emails which have lifted me out of a pit of self-pity and despair.  Phone calls have helped me through depression and discouragement.  The writings of God’s people through Rest Ministries have been a huge encouragement in my life.

A friend of mine wrote the following on Facebook:  “Yesterday on my way into work I prayed that I might see Jesus. As the day went along I made a frightened child laugh, gave a drink of water and chair to an elderly lady, calmed an anxious co-worker and enjoyed the fellowship of those around me. On the way home I thanked God for answering my prayer. All day long I saw Jesus and I saw him in the most unexpected place. I saw him in me.”

I thought about her words and realized that I can be a way Jesus makes Himself visible, not only to others but to myself.  I may not be able to physically bless others the way this friend did, but realizing that God can show Himself through me even in my more limited abilities gives new hope and meaning to my life.  God is confirming that even in in my weaknesses His Spirit is still living and working within me. 

We are all reflections of His glory, so when we look at ourselves in the mirror let’s see a reflection of who and what we truly are in God’s eyes, and not lose heart.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, as I long for You to show Yourself to me today, let me not overlook one of Your most wonderful signs – Your holy presence living in me.  Amen.

 

Jesus – the Morning Star Shining in the Dark Nights of Pain

“I am the Root and Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16).

Most people, whether chronically ill or not, have experienced sleepless nights for various reasons.  When we have pain, nights seem endless.  Although our days may not be much better, it can be a relief to see some light in the sky and know that our long and sleepless night is finally over.

Jesus is called the Morning Star in three places in Scripture (Numbers 24:17; I Peter 1:19; Revelation 22:16).  The Morning Star is not really a star at all, but the planet Venus.  It is most visible just before sunrise, and is one of the brightest objects in the sky.  The sight of this “star” means that night is nearly over.

What a wonderful representation of Christ.  Whether our dark nights are literal 8-hour ones or whether they are entire seasons of pain and suffering, the light of Jesus shines through.  His light illuminates His truths for us to hold on to during our times of darkness: He will guide us continually (Isaiah 58:11), He is continually with us (Joshua 1:9), His strength is made perfect in our weakness (II Corinthians 12:9), the mind controlled by His Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6), and many more.

Venus is also sometimes called the Evening Star.  It is the Morning Star when it is on one side of the Sun, leading it across the sky and being most visible a few hours before sunrise.  But when Venus is on the other side of the Sun, it is seen shortly after the Sun sets.  At its brightest, it becomes visible right after the Sun goes down.

How much that describes Jesus!  Whether our nights of suffering are ending or just beginning, Jesus is right there with us.  His light will continue to shine on us and for us, lighting up our sky with the glory of His presence.  So some dusk or dawn look for the light of Venus in the sky – and see Jesus.

Prayer:  Thank you, Jesus, that wherever I am in my suffering and pain, You are there.  May the light of Your presence give me hope, perseverance, and faith to bring me through my darkness.  Amen.

 

God's Love and More

Forgive the repeat of this writing, but my father passed away last week and I have not had much time to write.  Praise God my dad is home with the Lord now, and for that we are thankful.  I hope to get back to my writing soon.  Blessings to each reader.

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word” (II Thessalonians 2:16).

I always enjoy seeing the colorful Valentine’s Day decorations at this time of year, and it’s an appropriate time to meditate on God’s priceless love. This verse is a favorite of mine because it reminds me not only of His great love for me but of the other blessings I am given as well.
Love and grace: God loved me enough to send Jesus to the cross for me, though I did nothing to deserve or earn this (Ephesians 2:5). His love is everlasting, and no pain, illness, or difficulty can separate me from it (Jeremiah 31:3, Romans 8:39).
Eternal encouragement: God’s support and help will never end. They are as eternal and boundless as He is, and He always hears my cry (Psalm 10:17).

Good hope: When my hope seems gone, He miraculously restores it through Scripture and the comforting power of the Holy Spirit within me (Romans 15:4,13). I have hope for my eternal future, and I am given continual daily hope as I face the frustrations and disappointments of my disabilities.

Strength: I am given God’s divine power to live this life, even in weakness, trials, and pain (II Peter 1:3), and I am constantly protected against Satan’s attacks (II Timothy 4:18).

When I feel overwhelmed and unable to keep going, I remind myself of what I possess. Just as the cheerful reds and pinks of February are a bright spot in the midst of a gray winter, so the comfort of these divine gifts lifts me up on my darkest days. I can make it - through this day and through this life - because of God’s love and more.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, how I praise You for Your unending love, grace, encouragement, hope, and strength. Teach me to live my days in the power of these truths. Amen.

When We Are Falling Apart, Jesus Holds Us Together

“In Him all things are held together”
 (Colossians 1:17).

We all know the phrase, “falling apart at the seams” – those moments when life seems too overwhelming and we don’t know how we will survive.

We may feel that way for many reasons.  Our pain and suffering is enough to face, but other difficulties in our lives or those we love bring added pressures.  The world in general is in chaos as well, and it may seem that everywhere we turn things are falling apart.

I am experiencing that now.  My father was just diagnosed with terminal cancer.  Praise God he knows the Lord and has had a full life, but that doesn’t remove the pain and suffering we must watch him endure now. 

With my own health problems I can’t be as much of a help to my mother as I would like.  Many people are praying and we are seeing signs of that in the way things have logistically fallen into place as well as what I have been able to do physically, but there are moments when I feel I’m falling apart.

A friend of mine posted this picture on Facebook of this cracked ceramic bowl pieced together with gold filling.  Underneath the photo was the word “kintsukuroi”, meaning to repair pottery with gold or silver lacquer, understanding that the piece is more beautiful having been broken.

I thought about our bodies being jars of clay and trials being the fire that God uses to burn away all that is not of Him, leaving only the pure gold of faith in Him.  No matter what chaos is going on in and around us, there is no moment when Christ is not holding it all together.  The golden faith and strength that comes as a result of our trials is one means He uses to do this, and with each line of gold filling we are becoming more beautiful to Him.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, thank you that You are continually holding the greatness of the universe as well as the smallness of my own world together.  Thank you for piecing me together when I fall apart, and may I allow my brokenness to be the very thing You use to strengthen and beautify me.  Amen.

 

 

 

 

With God, Newness Never Fades

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life”
(Romans 6:4 NKJV).

I like new things. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the old but there is something special about the new. Wearing a new outfit, visiting a new place, or watching a new movie are all enjoyable experiences, but the newness wears off with time.  Once it does, I may cast it aside for something newer.

With a new year, people have new goals and hopes that this year will be brighter and better than the last one.  Living with chronic health conditions I am not so optimistic however, and with each new year my longings increase for my new eternal life.

Our new physical bodies are yet to come, but our spirits have already been made new by our faith in Christ.  We can now see our current earthly lives with new perspectives.  God is a God of newness.  He instituted the new covenant with Jesus being the ultimate sacrifice for our sin.  A new heaven and earth is yet to come.  And right now we are being made new in our minds and spirits as we walk this life of pain with Him.  Just as God’s mercies are new every morning, His Spirit is continually pouring new strength, hope, and grace into our lives, and these blessings will not lose their newness.

Earthly hopes and dreams go unfilled and the newness of earthly pleasures will fade with time, but God is continuing a new work in me that will not fade.  He will bring it to completion, and each day now is filled with the powerful new life the risen Christ gives my spirit.  It’s not just a new year – it’s a new life.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, while I wait for the newness of eternity, remind me that I am a new creation in you spiritually, regardless of how my body is feeling.  In this new year, may my goal be to continually renew my mind in your truths, knowing that the wonder of them will never fade.  Amen.

 

 

God’s Light Will Shine through the Pain of a New Year

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned”
(Isaiah 9:2).

Lights are an important part of holidays, particularly during the Christmas season.  We put lights on Christmas trees and candles in the windows.  We enjoy looking at outdoor light displays.  We light advent candles at church and sing Silent Night by candlelight on Christmas Eve. We may even welcome New Year’s in with fireworks.

God is associated with light throughout Scripture.  His light began the creation of the world. The light of a star led the wise men to Jesus.  The light of angels announced His birth as well as His resurrection.  Jesus called Himself the Light of the world, and this Light has been given to us.

Living with the uncertainty of health struggles or other problems, this coming new year may appear more dark than light.  “Living in the land of the shadow of death” may seem an accurate description for the fear of our unknown future or the grimness of our ongoing battles.  Yet we have seen a great light.  We just celebrated the coming of that light to earth, and the repercussions of that light give us the hope and perseverance to enter another year.

Isaiah wrote these words during bleak times for Israel.  They had endured much suffering and captivity.  In the preceding chapter of Isaiah, he says that people saw only distress and darkness and fearful gloom.  That may be an accurate description of how we see our personal lives as well as the world in general.  But God’s answer to that is the light of Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection.

That light will give us the direction we need to face whatever the new year holds.  There is no darkness of pain or the unknown that God’s light will not reach to offer us hope and guidance.   So light a candle this New Year’s Day and rejoice in knowing that the coming year is already illuminated with the loving light of God’s comforting and eternal presence.

Prayer:  Lord, give me hope as I begin this new year, praising You for the assurance that Your light will guide me through whatever my come.  Amen.