Monday's Blessing
Ephesians 4:31
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice."
You know very well the world if full of injustices. A good friend I know was leading the good life until she was struck down with Fibromyalgia. She had always been a Type A personality, multi-tasking and always willing to help others.
One day she was falling asleep and the symptoms of a heart attack ensued. Her family called an ambulance and she was rushed to the ER. Months ensued, pain ensued and every possible test kept coming up negative. As the illness took over her system, every organ in her body was compromised. One day it was bladder - a month later it was kidneys. On and on it the disease's talons grabbed further into her system to see what diabolical plan it could come up with next. She spent the first year in bed fighting off pain and depression and wondering why this phenomenon had chosen her.
As years went on, it ravaged her stomach causing gastric reflux and duodenal ulcer. It went into her spine leaving peripheral nephropathy. It went as far as bringing her to a trauma unit with a week's stay diagnosed with pancreatitis. When things seemed to be getting better, her heart was diagnosed with a left bundle block a year after.
I know what you're thinking, "How much more can this woman take?"
I have to tell you it is all in perception. This woman not once blamed God. In fact, her thoughts were, "Thank the goodness of God that my symptoms were found earlier rather than later." And off she went planning a new gaming strategy to keep things at bay for awhile. She told me once, "God is there, always with me, protecting me from everything including this horrible testing I must go through. Often I feel nothing - no side effects - no pain - nothing. God takes care of me."
Looking back, I believe her difficult life, lived with an attitude of acceptance and forgiveness, gave God more glory than someone who has a great life but is never content. Our suffering never pleases God, but when we have a good attitude in the middle of the midst of suffering it pleases and glorifies Him. Have a good attitude while we are waiting for God to bring justice into our lives makes the waiting time more bearable.
Unfortunately, we life in a fallen, broken world. But in the midst of it all Jesus is beautiful. He is a God who brings justice. Life isn't fair, but God is. He heals the brokenhearted along with all their pain and bruises. We often do not know why things are happening, but we can trust God knows in the end what we need. He WILL sort things out. It is so amazing that in this unfair world we can know such love, forgiveness, and mercy.
When you are sad, in one of your super-down days, look at all the good things you have. Don't dwell on the injustices you suffered. I know you're thinking, "Gosh, I heard that so many times before and all this crap keeps coming!" My question is, "Are you really doing it?!"
Many people are treated unfairly; they do not deserve the pain they experience - that's a given. But think of how lucky you are to have Jesus in your life. Those times he can take your hand, let you know he's got you and slip into peace and trust he will take care of it all. We may feel angry, frustrated, discouraged, or depressed, but we do not have to let any of those feelings control us and we can move on.
This Week's Meditation:
Holding grievances is an attack on God's plan for salvation
What is salvation, Father?
I do not know.
Tell me, that I may understand.
Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind. And realize God has you in his arms always
Ephesians 4:31
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice."
You know very well the world if full of injustices. A good friend I know was leading the good life until she was struck down with Fibromyalgia. She had always been a Type A personality, multi-tasking and always willing to help others.
One day she was falling asleep and the symptoms of a heart attack ensued. Her family called an ambulance and she was rushed to the ER. Months ensued, pain ensued and every possible test kept coming up negative. As the illness took over her system, every organ in her body was compromised. One day it was bladder - a month later it was kidneys. On and on it the disease's talons grabbed further into her system to see what diabolical plan it could come up with next. She spent the first year in bed fighting off pain and depression and wondering why this phenomenon had chosen her.
As years went on, it ravaged her stomach causing gastric reflux and duodenal ulcer. It went into her spine leaving peripheral nephropathy. It went as far as bringing her to a trauma unit with a week's stay diagnosed with pancreatitis. When things seemed to be getting better, her heart was diagnosed with a left bundle block a year after.
I know what you're thinking, "How much more can this woman take?"
I have to tell you it is all in perception. This woman not once blamed God. In fact, her thoughts were, "Thank the goodness of God that my symptoms were found earlier rather than later." And off she went planning a new gaming strategy to keep things at bay for awhile. She told me once, "God is there, always with me, protecting me from everything including this horrible testing I must go through. Often I feel nothing - no side effects - no pain - nothing. God takes care of me."
Looking back, I believe her difficult life, lived with an attitude of acceptance and forgiveness, gave God more glory than someone who has a great life but is never content. Our suffering never pleases God, but when we have a good attitude in the middle of the midst of suffering it pleases and glorifies Him. Have a good attitude while we are waiting for God to bring justice into our lives makes the waiting time more bearable.
Unfortunately, we life in a fallen, broken world. But in the midst of it all Jesus is beautiful. He is a God who brings justice. Life isn't fair, but God is. He heals the brokenhearted along with all their pain and bruises. We often do not know why things are happening, but we can trust God knows in the end what we need. He WILL sort things out. It is so amazing that in this unfair world we can know such love, forgiveness, and mercy.
When you are sad, in one of your super-down days, look at all the good things you have. Don't dwell on the injustices you suffered. I know you're thinking, "Gosh, I heard that so many times before and all this crap keeps coming!" My question is, "Are you really doing it?!"
Many people are treated unfairly; they do not deserve the pain they experience - that's a given. But think of how lucky you are to have Jesus in your life. Those times he can take your hand, let you know he's got you and slip into peace and trust he will take care of it all. We may feel angry, frustrated, discouraged, or depressed, but we do not have to let any of those feelings control us and we can move on.
This Week's Meditation:
Holding grievances is an attack on God's plan for salvation
What is salvation, Father?
I do not know.
Tell me, that I may understand.
Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind. And realize God has you in his arms always
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