The Passive Action of Waiting

"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him" (Psalm 62:5 KJV).

"In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly" (Psalm 5:3).

Life is full of waiting periods.  There are the positive waits to reach certain milestones or longed-for events. There are the annoying waits in shopping lines and traffic lanes. And if we live with ongoing pain or illness, there are the seemingly endless waits for medical appointments, test results, treatment plans, and hoped-for relief.

In addition to waiting countless times for treatment and results concerning my own health problems, my husband and I have been waiting for years to find treatments for his tremor and nutcracker esophagus that would be effective without intolerable side effects.  We are currently working with more new medicines, waiting and seeking.

Waiting can be frustrating and difficult because we want action and results now.

Charles Stanley describes waiting as passive action.  In one sense we passively can do nothing. We can’t speed things up or change God’s ordained plan for our lives, including our suffering.  But we can change how we wait.

Instead of waiting in anxiety or frustration, we can wait in peace and hope. We can choose to believe in faith that God’s timing and control are the best for us.  When tempted to give in to frustrations and fears, we can lay our requests before the Lord and wait in expectation. 

This life will always involve waiting. If nothing else, we are waiting to go home to God.  But while we wait, we can act. Will our actions include bringing God our requests, meditating on Scripture, claiming His promises, and looking for signs of His presence – actions that will bring calmness and peace?  Or will our actions of fretting, complaining and anger keep us tense, exhausted, and hopeless?

Waiting can have purpose. It can be an opportunity to strengthen our faith, grow in self-discipline, and show the power of God in our lives to others.

Prayer:  O Lord, You know how tired I get of waiting.  I want relief from my suffering.  I want answers to my problems.  And I want these things sooner rather than later.  Give me the grace to see and use these times of waiting as ways to know and rely more on You.  As I do, replace my frustrations and worries with Your peace and hope.  Amen.

Creation Declares the Power of God in Our Lives

“God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding” (Job 37:5).

“O Lord God Almighty, who is like you?  You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you” (Psalm 89:8).

I recently enjoyed a day that I will treasure forever. 

We live in an area full of waterfalls.  Because of my back and fibro issues, I am not able to see many of them. But on this day, thanks to God, my husband, a hiking stick, and pain medicine, I made it.

There was a succession of six waterfalls on this trail.  The trail itself was lovely although challenging. The mountain laurel was in full bloom, and falling petals carpeted our way.

Parts of the river contained huge boulders, and the water surged around them and over them into beautiful and powerful falls. But the water between each falls, although filled with smaller rocks, was fairly calm.

We were the only people there and were able to get very close to several of the falls.  I was able to sit on the rocks for a while, listening to the roar and watching the swirling water.  As I did, I thought about my life with God.

Sometimes my life is relatively peaceful.  The small rocks of difficulties and annoyances aren’t too difficult to handle.  God’s waters gently flow over them, nudging me along.

Other times I am faced with huge boulders of pain and suffering, which seem impossible to navigate.  Just as the most powerful sections of the falls were the ones flowing over the largest boulders, so the bigger my problems, the more God pours His power and strength over them, moving me through and around them. 

God’s power is strongest when I need it most. 

Those waterfalls were a spectacular word picture from God, reminding me that no pain or suffering is too big for His mighty power to handle. 

I thank God for the beauty of His creation, and how He uses it to speak to me, if I will look and listen.

Prayer:  O Lord God, I praise You for Your creation and how it displays Your great beauty and power.  Thank you that there is no pain or problem in my life that is too great for Your mighty waters of strength to carry me through.  Help me always to be listening and looking for the ways that You reveal Yourself to me.  Amen.

 

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.