WHAT DO I DO WHEN I HURT
Sometimes the Lord calms the storm; sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms the child.
~ unknown
It has been my experience that pain can drive us in two directions. Either it can make us angry at God for allowing our misery, or drive us to Him
for relief. We all have heard the saying "God helps those who help themselves." I like it better when it says something like "God helps us when
we are helpless." It is much more comforting.
Sickness has taught me that being active is not the only way to serve God. But God has shown me that He is also glorified through susffering.
I think that maybe the Lord gave me suffering so that I could help others as they suffer through being disabled.
Jesus said, "What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight" -Matthew 10:27. What does that mean? I think it means when things are at there
worst, be quiet, listen to God.
I have been in pain everyday for the last 13 years. I have had to have 7 surgeries on my right leg and due to staph infections have lost the use of
my let and am confined to a wheelchair. But that is great! You see up until just 3 years ago, I wasn't able to get out of bed into a wheelchair.
So even in my pain and suffering there is joy.
I think those of us who do suffer a lot need to be mindful not to be resentful. I think our attitude towards our suffering and disabilities can make
our sickness worse and cause us to become bitter people.
Christians who are strong in their faith grow as we accept whatever God allows to enter our lives. I know for me, talking to God everyday and
spending a lot of time reading is when he would talk to me. He was always with me everyday and still is.
David refused to resign himself to the defeats that sometimes threatened to overtake him. More than once, in his personal account as well as his
public life, he seemed to be "down for the count" - but he always looked beyond the obstacle or problem to God himself. Like King David when we are
in the lowest point I say, "I lift my eyes up to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and
earth" - Psalm 121:1-2
If we have our eyes upon ourselves, our problems, and our pain, we cannot lift our eyes upward.
James said, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops
perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything? - James 1:2-4
I don't know if I consider my pain a pure joy, but I will persevere and I hope to be found complete and not lacking anything. I know for me
personally my faith has gotten stronger and has gotten much deeper in a spiritual sense. Could this still have happened without my pain and
suffering? I guess so....but it has been because of the suffering that I have leaned more on the shoulder of Christ.
When we are so much part of the world we lose sight of eternity, we can lose our joy. If I keep heaven in my view I find I remain calm and even
cheerful in the darkest day. If we lived less for material things and more for things eternal and spiritual, we would be less upset be this present
life.
How do we repsond to crisis or suffering? We can resent suffering, resign ourselves to it, or accept it with joy because we know God is in control of
our lives.
Amy Carmichael, who lived in almost constant pain, is a striking example of a Christian whose physical suffering inabled her to reflect the character
of Christ. She lived her life rejoicing in the midst of tribulation. She wrote this poem:
Before the winds that blow do cease,
Teach me to dwell within Thy calm:
Before the pain has passed in peace,
Give me, my God, to sing a psalm.
Let me not lost the chance to prove
The fullness of enabling love.
O love of God, do this for me:
Maintain a constant victory.
God works in unexpected ways to bring us strength and joy in the midst of suffering. Without the dark clouds in our lives we would never know the joy
of the sunshine.
What do you do when you hurt?
Peace to you,
Grandma
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[edit on 12/1/2009 by Mirthful Me]