Sunday, Feb.21, 2016
From my 2001 Spiritual Journal
"Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick."
Many of us are like Mary and Martha when it comes to our health issues, or the health issues of loved ones. We're somewhat surprised, sometimes angry after praying for improved health only to find ourselves or our loved ones exactly the same.
The Scriptures reveal that Jesus suffered in His lifetime. Why then does it come as a surprise that we who love Him suffer too?
The Lord never promised we'd not suffer. He made it a point to let us know that we would. Being covered by his grace does not guarantee that sickness or death will never touch us. The Bible is full of the names of people greatly loved by the Lord, and every one of them suffered. Our illnesses, as much as our trials are actually blessings in disguise. Truly! They not only bless us, but others as well.
When we're bogged down by health problems, and pain, bogged down by trials that overwhelm us, we're driven to our knees, causing us to, perhaps for the first time in our lives, recognize how desperately we need the Lord; that without Him we can do nothing.
In the dark of night, in pain, and unable to sleep, we're confronted with uncertainty, fears and doubts. We find ourselves crying out to He who gave us life. Our pain serves a purpose; it can turn a bitter, unkind, selfish, impatient person into a more gracious, more compassionate person.
Sickness, especially if it lingers, can be a most precious blessing because it places us at our Savior's feet, teaches us to "Be Still And Know I Am God.
We must remember too, that oftentimes it is the observing of faith in the suffering ones that leads others to Christ.
We can tell Jesus anything, ought to tell Him everything, whether it be a good thing, bad thing, or fearful thing. We can tell Him what is disrupting our lives, what's erecting walls between Him and us- and ask for His help. He is not only our Savior but our brother, our friend, so we can approach Him confidently. He loves us, desires our company, wants desperately for us to trust in His WORD, in what He says.
Jesus has not changed. He's the same One who raised Lazarus from the grave, who turned water into wine, healed the sick, the blind, parted the ocean and walked on water, and if He so chooses, He can create a miracle for me- for you. But if we pray for one and are left with a thorn in our side, let us not complain; let us instead, remember that the Lord loves us and does what He knows to be best. He loves us more than we love ourselves, and in the end, we shall all be with the Lord forever. That wonderful day is not that far off.
Revelation 3:11
"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take they crown."
Philippians 4:5
"Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand."
We have no greater blessing than that of knowing the Lord is ever with us; that the decisions He makes for us are always for our good. We have to cope with our aches and pains, with the asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart problems, and all the other ills mankind suffers till the Lord returns. But after that?
After that it's a piece of cake. We have so much to look forward too. May today find each of you, and me too, viewing our health issues in a different way. We must of course, be proactive, do the best we can to maintain good health. When we do that, we can remind ourselves that whatever happens to us is for our good, for the good of somebody else, or for God's glory.
Remember dear ones, it doesn't do much good to have faith if it's not being used. Faith not used becomes nothing more than a five letter word.
Have an awesome day. Don't forget to watch for those SHINY moments.
Love you much,
Barb
"Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick."
Many of us are like Mary and Martha when it comes to our health issues, or the health issues of loved ones. We're somewhat surprised, sometimes angry after praying for improved health only to find ourselves or our loved ones exactly the same.
The Scriptures reveal that Jesus suffered in His lifetime. Why then does it come as a surprise that we who love Him suffer too?
The Lord never promised we'd not suffer. He made it a point to let us know that we would. Being covered by his grace does not guarantee that sickness or death will never touch us. The Bible is full of the names of people greatly loved by the Lord, and every one of them suffered. Our illnesses, as much as our trials are actually blessings in disguise. Truly! They not only bless us, but others as well.
When we're bogged down by health problems, and pain, bogged down by trials that overwhelm us, we're driven to our knees, causing us to, perhaps for the first time in our lives, recognize how desperately we need the Lord; that without Him we can do nothing.
In the dark of night, in pain, and unable to sleep, we're confronted with uncertainty, fears and doubts. We find ourselves crying out to He who gave us life. Our pain serves a purpose; it can turn a bitter, unkind, selfish, impatient person into a more gracious, more compassionate person.
Sickness, especially if it lingers, can be a most precious blessing because it places us at our Savior's feet, teaches us to "Be Still And Know I Am God.
We must remember too, that oftentimes it is the observing of faith in the suffering ones that leads others to Christ.
We can tell Jesus anything, ought to tell Him everything, whether it be a good thing, bad thing, or fearful thing. We can tell Him what is disrupting our lives, what's erecting walls between Him and us- and ask for His help. He is not only our Savior but our brother, our friend, so we can approach Him confidently. He loves us, desires our company, wants desperately for us to trust in His WORD, in what He says.
Jesus has not changed. He's the same One who raised Lazarus from the grave, who turned water into wine, healed the sick, the blind, parted the ocean and walked on water, and if He so chooses, He can create a miracle for me- for you. But if we pray for one and are left with a thorn in our side, let us not complain; let us instead, remember that the Lord loves us and does what He knows to be best. He loves us more than we love ourselves, and in the end, we shall all be with the Lord forever. That wonderful day is not that far off.
Revelation 3:11
"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take they crown."
Philippians 4:5
"Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand."
We have no greater blessing than that of knowing the Lord is ever with us; that the decisions He makes for us are always for our good. We have to cope with our aches and pains, with the asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart problems, and all the other ills mankind suffers till the Lord returns. But after that?
After that it's a piece of cake. We have so much to look forward too. May today find each of you, and me too, viewing our health issues in a different way. We must of course, be proactive, do the best we can to maintain good health. When we do that, we can remind ourselves that whatever happens to us is for our good, for the good of somebody else, or for God's glory.
Remember dear ones, it doesn't do much good to have faith if it's not being used. Faith not used becomes nothing more than a five letter word.
Have an awesome day. Don't forget to watch for those SHINY moments.
Love you much,
Barb
