Since we have been acquitted and made right through faith, we are able to experience true and lasting peace with God through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, the Liberating King. 2 Jesus leads us into a place of radical grace where we are able to celebrate the hope of experiencing God’s glory. 3 And that’s not all. We also celebrate in seasons of suffering because we know that when we suffer we develop endurance, 4 which shapes our characters. When our characters are refined, we learn what it means to hope and anticipate God’s goodness. 5 And hope will never fail to satisfy our deepest need because the Holy Spirit that was given to us has flooded our hearts with God’s love. Romans 5:1-5
Learn Something
If we learned nothing else in our journey with chronic pain, it would be to more understand the plot of the caregiver. We learned how an illness can be so demanding on the family / caregiver. Not only are they trying to care for the sick one, but they are trying to continue their own responsibilities in life and maybe they are taking on some of the responsibilities that their loved one used to do. And then there is the added issue of medical expenses.
All these things were issues for us. Even with a loving church that did so much to help out. The days became long and tiring. Many times emotions were high. Many days were lonely and long. We certainly learned the view point of the caregiver. We learned to empathize rather than sympathize. We learned to respect them and maybe give them the benefit of the doubt much more often in other areas of their lives.
With every trial,
there is something to learn.
The goal is
to allow God,
through the trial,
to help you grow
in a positive way.
You know.......
If nothing else; maybe through the trial,
God will be praised.
Maybe Jesus will shine through our lives
and others will praise God.
We may not see the “why”
until we are face to face with Jesus.
But it will be worth it all.
It’s a good idea to read the Scriptures every day, especially when you are going through a trial. I’ve been reading 3-5 Psalms and one Proverb every day. I challenge you to try one or all of these today:
Joy Dare List
Gifts prayed for:
1. endurance
2. rest
3. being able to do basic things on my own.
Share with me ... What have you learned through trials?
Waiting & Learning,
My sister and I are legal guardians for our momma who daily lives and struggles with a mental illness. I echo some of your thoughts here as well.
ReplyDeleteYou never really understand until you've been there. Thanks for reading.
DeleteOh I hear this! After 10 years, we're still wrestlying with the aftermath of the financial burden. But, yes and yes, through everything we learn and grow and God shines through!
ReplyDeleteI've been fortunate to have good health plan and a wonderful church family who have chipped in here and there. The other epense you don't realize is all the traveling, hotels, meals. It adds up fast.
DeleteYes there is always a lesson to be learned and if nothing else yes He is to be praised through it all!
ReplyDeleteYes! Have you heard Laura Story's song Blessings? I'll probably be sharing about it sometime this month. IT has been one of my staple songs through this journey.
DeleteI just found your blog on day 8 and am going to have to go back through to read more of your story. During this 31 days, I've been talking more about pain than I expected to. (When is it chronic pain? I've had pain for 6-8 months... I never know if it's insulting to call it chronic or if that actually qualifies.) Anyway... you have a lot of great insight here. So many things I wouldn't have guessed about this kind of pain without going through it myself. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds chronic to me. :) I'm not sure of when the doctor's decided to call it that. Maybe just when they can't figure out what is wrong. I know that fibromyalgia is indicated by pain in two or more quadrants of the body. Glad you are reading. Hope you will find help here and through the doctors. Blessings!
DeleteI'm writing a new series about Fibromyalgia beginning May 12 - Fibro Awareness Day. Would love to have some contributors to share their experience with it. Any takers?
ReplyDelete