Keeping a Young Attitude Despite Our Pain

“Praise the Lord, O my soul. . . who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:1,5).

Does pain seem to age you?  I feel it does.  I once took a test in a magazine to determine whether I seemed older than my chronological age, and I scored ten years ahead of my current age.  That was somewhat depressing! 

In Charles Stanley’s January devotional booklet, he gave three suggestions for maintaining a youthful attitude – laughing, longing, and leaning.

My husband is very good at laughing about his essential tremor.  He jokes about some of the problems it causes and doesn’t let it rob him of his sense of humor.  Scripture even says that a cheerful heart is a good medicine (Proverbs 17:22).

We should keep longing – having goals and dreams that we continue to work toward as much as possible, rather than just watching the world go by.  Right now I am pursuing starting a pain support group in our new town.  Part of me is afraid to try because of my health issues, but if this is God’s will, He will give me the strength and ability to do it.

Finally, we are to keep leaning on God.  We can do nothing on our own, even if we are healthy.  All that we are and do is a gift from God.  When we continually maintain our trust in Him, we can live our lives as fully as we were meant to live them, despite our weaknesses and limitations.

I know my body is ageing, and in one sense I don’t mind that, because it means I’m getting closer to my heavenly home.  But as long as I’m here, laughing, longing, and leaning are great suggestions for feeling younger and brighter and cost nothing but a willing attitude.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, You know how my pain can rob me of a bright and youthful outlook on life.  It is so easy for me to feel old in heart and spirit as well as body.  Teach me to laugh more, to long and look for ways to serve You in my current condition, and to lean on You at all times.  And as I do, please use me to brighten the lives of others.  Amen.

What Paul Taught Me About Pain and Perseverance

“They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.  But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city.  The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe” (Acts 14:19, 20).

I am currently going through a particularly difficult time physically.  Continual migraines, pain, nervousness, and sleeplessness sometimes bring me to the point of feeling I can’t handle things anymore. 

I am very familiar with Paul - his struggle with a thorn in the flesh and his admonitions to give thanks in all circumstances, to not be anxious for anything, and many other encouragements that apply to any kind of suffering or hardship.  But as I read Acts 14, I noticed something.

Paul was beaten to the point of being considered dead.  What happened then?  His friends surrounded him and probably gave him needed physical attention, but he then proceeded to get up and continue on his journey ministering to others.

In a figurative sense, I sometimes feel beaten almost to the point of death. I don’t want to get up and keep going.  Paul was beaten many times, along with countless other physical sufferings (II Corinthians 11).  But each time he got up and kept going.  He must have felt pain – after all, he was human.  At one point he even despaired of life (II Corinthians 1:8).  But he still got up and kept going.  He trusted God and God sustained Him.

I am not the spiritual giant Paul was, but I have the same power of God within me that Paul did.  The Lord will keep me going.  I can get up.  I will get up.  And I will keep getting up until I have finished what God has put me on this earth to do.  He who is called me is faithful, and he will do it (I Thessalonians 5:24).  And whatever you are struggling with right now, He will do the same for you.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of Paul and others who show that it is in my weakest and most desperate moments that You do the greatest work of empowering and strengthening me. Thank you for equipping and enabling me to endure when I feel I can’t go on, and help me to continue persevering through my pain and not lose heart. Amen.

Recharging Our Life Batteries for New Challenges

“I know that through your prayers and the help given me by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my good”

 (Philippians 1:19).

Two thousand fifteen is a new year, but our health problems may not be, and we may face some new ones as well.  Have you ever lost power in your home and discovered that your flashlight batteries were dead?  As this year begins, we may feel our “life batteries” have died.  We have no strength for the challenges that lie ahead.  We need to be recharged.

The King James Version of Philippians 1:19 says our help will come through “the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ”.  In Rick Renner’s book, Sparkling Gems from the Greek, he explains that “supply” refers to the abundant and excessive contribution of the Spirit’s grace and power through Jesus, which is readily available to all believers all the time.

My new year began with shoulder pain, sleeplessness, fibro pain, depression, and nausea.  I struggled with how I would survive the day, let alone another year.  My life battery seemed dead.  But I kept going and will continue to do so because of Christ’s power source in me.  

This verse also mentions that the prayers of others help sustain us, so let us not forget to lift up others who are struggling.  God’s power supply flows through us to not only strengthen us but to help us strengthen others.  

Someone posted this quote from GodFruits on Facebook:  “Instead of saying, ‘Lord I don’t know how I am going to do this,’ say, ‘Lord, I can’t wait to see how you do this.’ ” Whatever the new year brings, thank God His ever-ready battery of power supply in our lives keeps on going and will never die.

Prayer:  All-Powerful God,Your Word says my strength will equal my days (Deuteronomy 33:15).  As I begin this new year, I know I will have the mental, physical, and emotional energy to keep going, because your grace and power will sustain me through whatever each day brings. 

A New Year's Prayer

Dear Readers,

I posted this last year and haven't had a chance to write something new, so am re-posting this.  Forgive the repeat, and I pray your new year gets off to a positive start.

This devotional is in a different format from my usual writings. Sometimes I like to use actual Scripture verses as prayers.  Psalm 90 (written by Moses) is one of my favorite Psalms. I am focusing on verses 12-17 as a prayer for the new year.


“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”.  Lord, I will need Your wisdom for so many things in this new year, whether they are related to my health, relationships, circumstances, or simply life in general.  Help me to seek Your guidance daily and trust You for the outcomes.  Help me also to be wise in the use of my time, staying focused on what is truly important in this life, rather than being caught up in the priorities of the world.

“Have compassion on your servants”.  Lord, you know my struggles with pain and problems.  You know how much I can bear.  I pray for your compassion and mercy through any difficult times that lie ahead.

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days”. Father, as I begin each new day, open my eyes to Your presence around me. Remind me that no matter how intense my pain or problems may be, I can rejoice in knowing that You love me and will carry me through all things.  Make me aware of the countless ways that You show Your love and presence to me each day.

“Make us glad for as many days as we have seen trouble”.  Lord, You said this world would be full of trials, but to rejoice for You have overcome the world.  Thank you for the assurance that even if my circumstances or health do not improve in this life, the glad days of eternal health and happiness are coming soon.  Help me persevere until then, and make me thankful for the blessings and gifts You give now.

“May your deeds be shown to your servants”.  O God, make me aware of opportunities to display Your glory in the coming year.  May I be a testimony to others of Your power and strength in my weaknesses.

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us”.  Lord God, may pleasing You be the greatest desire of my heart this year. Whatever plans You have for me to accomplish, I pray that You would bless me through them.  Let me remember that no matter what my limitations are, I can still be used by You and am important to You and Your kingdom work.

I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Dear Readers,

I just want to take a moment to wish each of you a blessed holiday. I pray that you will be as pain-free as possible, and that you will be able to find joy and even happiness on this special day, regardless of what your circumstances or conditions are. 

I pray that if you do have moments of discouragement or difficulties, you will be uplifted and comforted and filled with hope in the knowledge that Jesus is coming again, and that we
have unimaginable eternal wonders and perfect health to look forward to.  Until then, He is our strength.

Blessings to you,
Bronlynn

What Gifts Can We Give to Jesus This Christmas?

“Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh”
(Matthew 2:11).

In the Christmas movie, “The Bishop’s Wife” (1947), the bishop asked what gift we will we give to Jesus, because we remember everyone else but can forget about giving to the One whose birthday we are celebrating.  

Because of health problems, I sometimes feel I have no gift.  I can’t help out with preparing meals, providing transportation, or decorating, setting up, and cleaning up for church events.  There are places I would like to volunteer but can’t because of sitting and standing issues.

In the LifeGuide Bible study, The Cross, by John Stott, I came across a great list of Scriptural gifts which are not based on physical health.

Our bodies (Romans 12:1).
Praise, worship, and thanksgiving (Hebrews 13:15).
Prayer (Revelation 5:8).
A broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17).
Faith (Philippians 2:17).
Gifts and good deeds (Hebrews 13:16).
Our lives even unto death (II Timothy 4:6).

We can offer our bodies to Jesus through godly actions, speech, and thoughts.  We can bring praise and worship through sickness and health, even when alone or housebound.

We can pray for family members and others who are suffering, along with countless other situations and groups who need prayer.  When discouraged, discontent, or angry about our problems, we can acknowledge our weaknesses and ask for forgiveness.

We can use our challenges to increase our faith and share these lessons with others.  If we are financially able, we can support Christian organizations and our local church, and we can impact our doctors, family members, and friends through our testimony of God’s faithfulness.

And if our sickness or pain leads to death, we can let our faith shine until the end comes.

Our gifts may not as be visible as others’, but they are ones which God has specifically asked for, and we can continue to give them throughout the coming year. 

Happy Birthday Jesus – I think You will like Your gifts.

 

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, what can I give you, poor as I am?  If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man I would do my part; yet what I can I give you - my heart, and body, and mind - today, and every day (adapted from the hymn “In the Bleak Mid-Winter” by Christina Rossetti).  Amen.

 

What We Can Learn from the Magi

“We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him”
(Matthew 2:2).

Although Scripture does not tell us much about the magi, we know from historical information that they had been studying the stars and waiting for signs of the predicted king for a very long time. 

Hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, Old Testament Scripture referred to the star the wise men would follow (Numbers 24:17).  These magi studied prophecies carefully. They did not forget what they read but sought to apply their knowledge as they watched and waited.   They never lost hope that the prophecy would be fulfilled.  And when it was, they were willing to take a long, arduous journey to worship the object of their waiting.

If we have chronic health problems, we know all about searching and waiting.  We research our illnesses and treatments in order to make wise decisions. We wait for appointments, tests, and results.  We watch for signs of improvement and decline.  And we go through discomfort as we wait.

We can learn some lessons from the magi.  We need to continually study Scripture and use it to refute untruths about God and our situations, holding on to the hope that the Lord fulfills His promises.

We need to notice signs of God’s presence in our lives through ways such as nature, His Word, answered prayers, the counsel of other believers, and the promptings of the Holy Spirit within us.

We need to be willing to suffer discomfort on our journey through this life, knowing that when we reach our final destination, it will be worth the wait.

And above all, as we journey, we need to bring gifts of praise, worship, and adoration to our Savior.

Prayer:  King Jesus, this Christmas season and beyond, help me to be diligent in my seeking, searching, persevering, and worshipping of You.  Amen.