How Are You Fighting the Battles Against Pain and Suffering?

“May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands” (Psalm 149:6).

Independence Day is approaching here in the United States. Some signs of the holiday include televised war movies, historical re-enactments, and fireworks displays. These are all reminders of battles fought for freedom.

In our war with pain and suffering, we fight battles every day. So how are we fighting these battles? This verse mentions a very important weapon of warfare – praise. Praising God is a double-edged sword. A double-edged sword wields greater power than a single-edged sword because it can strike in several directions simultaneously. And many times we do face multiple attacks at once from which we long to be free – attacks of physical pain, depression, insecurity, lack of self-worth, fears, and many others, including the normal difficulties and problems of life.

Although praise is certainly not the only way to overcome these enemies, it is an important and powerful one. I find the best way to apply this concept is to have some favorite Scripture verses of praise on hand at all times. When I am in the midst of a difficult battle - whether it’s pain-related or not - I speak these words of praise and pray for the faith to believe them. God will honor that. I may still be wounded but I will not be defeated.

I don’t know how many soldiers have used praise in their battles for freedom, but I do know that in my life battles, it’s one of the most important weapons for attacking the enslavements that pain and suffering can bring. So I will lift my sword of praise and be, as one commentary described it, a blend of chorister and crusader. And I will persevere in the knowledge of the eternal freedom that is coming.

Prayer: O God, You know how I long to be free from my pain and suffering and how weary I become fighting my battles with them. I ask for the diligence and desire to praise You in these battles. And I ask that You strengthen me and keep my faith strong until my war is over. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Are You Growing Weeds or Flowers Among the Rocks of Pain and Illness?

“See to it that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many”
 (Hebrews 12:15).

Near our back yard is an unsightly storm drain for our neighborhood. It was overgrown with weeds when we moved in last summer. The Homeowners’ Association placed a load of large rocks over the grate last fall to improve its appearance, which I greatly appreciated.

This spring, big weeds began growing up among the rocks. Some of these weeds had stems and roots the size of small tree branches. As I was pulling them up recently (resulting in several days of back pain which I should have known would happen!), I thought about how much easier it is to grow weeds than flowers.

Those rocks remind me of my health issues. Pain and suffering are like big stones that weigh me down. It is easy for me to allow weeds to grow through these stones – weeds of bitterness, discontent, anger, envy, hopelessness, faithlessness, and many others. 

Some of these roots are quite large at times. Thankfully the Holy Spirit continually prompts me to adjust my attitudes and pull these weeds out so they don’t overrun my life.

Not too far from these rocks are another group of rocks. There are weeds there as well, but there are also a few flowers that have managed to push through the rocks and bloom, showing that it is possible for certain flowers to grow poor conditions.

The rocks of pain and suffering are heavy to bear. Unsightly weeds of negativity can grow up easily through these rocks. Flowers of faith and beauty are more difficult to sustain, but they can be grown if we persevere and keep reaching for the Son.

I don’t know about you, but I would much rather live with flowers than weeds.   

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, You know the weight of my pain and problems. I confess that in my attitude toward my suffering, weeds are much easier for me to grow than flowers. Help me to persevere and push through my stones of suffering with faith and not bitterness. Amen.

What Kind of Tree Are You?

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God” (Palm 92:12, 13).

“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God” (Psalm 52:8).

Have you ever taken a quiz to determine what kind of animal, flower, or celebrity you resemble?  These results are based on fun, imagination, and opinion. But Scripture says that believers are like certain trees.  So what is the significance of these trees, and how can we apply these concepts to our lives?

We are cedar trees.  In Biblical times, the cedar tree was used for cleansing and purification.  It was a symbol of glory, growth, and might.  As our trials help to cleanse our hearts and purify our faith, we can help others by sharing our examples and testimonies. We can also continue to grow spiritually through the many Christian resources available today.

We are palm trees. The palm tree was used for shelter and food and was a symbol of righteousness, beauty, and victory. We can provide a place of shelter to others by offering empathy and encouragement.  We can feed the Word of God to a spiritually starving world.  We can have victory over despair and fears by claiming God’s power in us and reflecting the beauty of Jesus through our words and actions.

We are olive trees.  The olive tree was used for cooking, beauty products, and temple service.  It was a symbol of health, flexibility, endurance, and peace.  Although our bodies may not be physically healthy, anointing our minds with God’s Word maintains our spiritual health.  We can serve the Lord with the temples of our bodies through prayer and praise.  And Christ’s strength enables us to endure whatever suffering may come and maintain peace through it.

So no matter how we look or feel, let’s see ourselves as God sees us, branch out in faith, and live as the trees we are!

Prayer: O God, many times my pain and problems distort my view of the purpose and potential You have given me.  When I am feeling weak or useless, I pray that Your Spirit will bring these trees to mind – a beautiful description of what I am as Your child.  Amen.

 

Being Blessed with Less

“Praise the Lord, O my soul . . . who satisfies your desires with good things” (Psalm 103:1, 5).

I once read the story of the great financial loss the Englishman William Wilberforce faced because of his efforts to abolish slavery.  He missed his books and gardens most of all, but when he walked through someone else’s garden, his heavy loss led to “the solid and great increase of (their) enjoyments”.  In other words, he gained greater appreciation for them as a result of his losses.

I thought of this as I read one of Charles Stanley’s devotionals.  He mentioned that Christians typically associate God’s blessings with more, but sometimes God blesses through less.  Stanley wrote, “In some situations, the best thing He can ‘give’ is to take something away”.

It is very easy for me to dwell on all the “lesses” and losses of my health problems, but blessings have come with them.

Years ago I didn’t think twice about walking around an amusement park for hours, sitting on a chair all day in class or at work, or reading and studying for long periods of time.  Now, when I am able to take a short walk, I’m much more observant of God’s handiwork.  My sitting issues have driven me to my knees – quite literally!  I’ve learned to let go of my pride, carrying my seat cushion to public places and entertaining friends on my knees. Since my eye problems limit my reading time, I am more careful to read what is positive or edifying.  I am continually learning humility, contentment, and dependency on God.

Do I still want to be blessed with more?  Yes. Do I still envy the “mores” of others?  Sometimes. But God has and is showing me that the “lesses” and losses of pain and illness can bring their own unique gains and blessings.  And the greatest blessing of all is that of hopefully becoming more like Jesus.

Prayer:  O Lord, how often I assume that You can benefit me only by giving me more of what I want and enjoy.  Change my way of thinking, and make me more aware of all blessings that come through the lesses and losses in my life.  Amen.

Who Are Your Stretcher Bearers?

This post is in honor of my mom, who at 89, is one of the strongest stretcher bearers I know.

“Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ ”
 (Mark 2:4, 5).

I recently finished a book on the life of Jesus called The Way by Adam Hamilton.  The chapter on Jesus’ healing ministry referred to the story of the paralytic whose friends lowered him through the roof to be healed.

The passage doesn’t say it was “his” (the paralytic’s) faith that healed him.  Rather it says “their” faith, which may have included the paralytic himself, but certainly included his friends.

This man’s friends had faith enough to do whatever it took to bring him before the Lord.  They carried him, and they were not discouraged by the obstacles in their path. They dug a hole in the roof and lowered him right in front of Jesus.

Do you have any stretcher bearers in your life – people who have expended effort and time to carry you either literally or spiritually through your health challenges?  I do, and I thank God for them. 

During my worst season physically, mentally, and emotionally, I asked my mother why things weren’t getting better if people were praying for me.  She answered, “You don’t know how bad it would be if they weren’t.”  I made it through those agonizing months due, at least in part, to the faith and support of my stretcher bearers.  They carried me before the throne of grace when I lacked the faith and ability to carry myself.  And they continue to do so.

Not only do I have stretcher bearers, but I can be one.  Although I am not physically able to help these people because of my own health issues or distance between us, I can pray for God’s strength, comfort, and healing, believing in faith that God will carry out His perfect will in their lives.

Praise God for the stretcher bearers who carry us. And praise Him for the blessing we have of carrying others.

Prayer: O God, thank you for the stretcher bearers in my life who have carried me to You in faith when I have been unable or unwilling to carry myself.  Bless them Lord.  Show me how I can be a stretcher bearer to others, even through my own weaknesses, and give me the strength and desire to do so.  Amen.

 

 

Hope for Hard Days – Jesus Alive in Me

“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you” (Romans 8:11).

It was the best of times.  It was the worst of times.  No, I’m not referring to A Tale of Two Cities. I’m referring to the season of spring as it affects me.

Spring is a beautiful time of the year and a vivid reminder of the new life that God brings to all of creation.  The grass is greening, the trees are budding, the flowers are blooming, and the birds are singing.

Spring is also my most painful time of the year and a vivid reminder of my chronic health issues.  My bones are hurting, my pain is escalating, my exhaustion is overwhelming, and my depression is debilitating.

My mobility is challenged by increased stiffness and back pain.  Regardless of what I do or don’t do, I am tired all the time.  And the spring rains are a reminder of the depression that showers me with discouragement, discontent, insecurity, and self-absorption.

One of my favorite songs is “Bones” by Hillsong United:  “You can take my dry bones.  Breathe life into this skin.  You call me by name.  Raised me to life again.  Oh Jesus, alive in me.”

If Jesus is alive in me, despite the morning stiffness and pain, I can sing words of praise (Psalm 34:1). When exhaustion and discouragement come, I can find strength in the Lord my God as David did (I Samuel 30:6).  When depression tries to rob me of my joy, I can think on what is true (Philippians 4:8).

Yes, there are hard days, weeks, months, seasons, years.  But just as Jesus was raised to life, He raises me to life, not only eternally but daily. That is my hope, my strength, my joy, and my victory.  Jesus – alive in me – now and always. 

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, as Your child, I praise You and thank You that Your Spirit lives within me. Breathe new life into me today, filling me with hope and power, so that I can face whatever challenges may come.  Amen.

 

(You can listen to "Bones" here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1Zq_oQTuq8).

 

God Brings New Life Out of Ruins

“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (I Corinthians 15:22).

When you think of ruins, what comes to mind?  The crumbling foundation of an historical site or buildings devastated by a natural disaster?  Ruins are the remains of something that has been destroyed, collapsed, or decayed, and our lives may seem to be in ruins due to chronic health problems.

I have had times over the years when I felt my life was in ruins:  back problems that forced me to give up many physical activities; a post-cancer mental and emotional breakdown; fibromyalgia that caused me to give up my job; eye problems that began limiting my reading and writing. 

But God has brought new life out of my ruins.  A weak back has strengthened my self-discipline, priorities, and adaptability.  Prayer, Scripture, and Christian books continue to teach me the healing power of a Holy Spirit-controlled mind, which I can share with others.  Not working has allowed me more time for other God-given ministries.  Eye issues have caused me to divide my time more evenly between activities, which has actually helped my overall pain.

With Christ’s death on the cross, the disciples must have felt that their lives were in ruins.  Jesus appeared to be dead and gone.  And from a spiritual standpoint, it seemed that Satan had triumphed.  But out of the ruins of Christ’s death God brought resurrection victory and eternal life. 

Because of Easter, we are new creations.  That means new ways of looking at things.  The same power of God that brought life out of death can bring new attitudes and adjustments in us, and our ruins are the perfect opportunity for Him to do it.  So let’s expect to see new life come from those ruins as we claim the victory of Easter.

 

Prayer:  O Lord, You know how health problems seem to ruin my life.  Yet You bring good out of all things.  Let me see my ruins as opportunities for You to do a new work in me, and let me never lose sight of the victory that is mine because of Easter.  Amen.