One of the hardest things to do is to smile in the midst of pain. It's almost incomprehensible that someone would rejoice during some of their darkest moments. The reality is that, often in the word, we have been encouraged to pray when we are in pain, to sing when we are suffering greatly.
Putting on the garment of praise when you are weighed down with a spirit of heaviness is no easy thing and is a deliberate act with the help of God. When everything in you wants to curl up into a ball of self pity and hide, it is only pushing past it all with the strength of God that you get a breakthrough.
While in the hospital last week, I said to my son one day, "I know you are in a lot of pain son, but I want you to try and still praise God. Remember He has been with you all the way and He will continue to be with you throughout your recovery and beyond." He said, "Ok mummy." I don't know if he wondered or thought it was unreasonable of me to ask him such. After all, sometimes he could barely talk, because of the pain, so how could I ask him to even think of God?
But I know that when the word says, to pray without ceasing, or be anxious for nothing, it means to do it even when we are in pain.
Later that same evening, I was reading 1 Thess. and this was what Paul said to the church at Thessalonica; "You welcomed the Message(0f the gospel) in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit."
One of my son's favorite verses is "The joy of the Lord is my strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)
I know it is only with the joy given by the Holy Spirit that he was able to join with me in prayer everyday that we spent at that hospital.
We don't always understand God's methods, but anyone who dare try them, will prove that they work. To get He says we should give, to live He says we should die, to be exalted he said we should humble ourselves.
My heart rejoices in the God of my salvation. I can't imagine my life without Him. I can't imagine going through my days without acknowledging Him.
I said to God at the beginning of this year that I will meet the conditions in His word no matter what it costs me. I will do my part in seeking His kingdom because I know He will keep His end of the bargain. I will draw near to Him and I know He will draw near to me.
I have purposed to praise God in spite of my circumstances.
I don't know your area of suffering today, it may not be as severe as my son's last week, but I encourage you not to hide behind your pain. Please don't turn away from God because you are depressed or because you are hurting. If anything we need to turn to Him more. If there is sin in your life, give it over to Him. He promises to forgive you when you do.
In the midst of your turmoil, welcome His message of peace.
In the midst of your loneliness, welcome His message of companionship.
In the midst of your financial burden, welcome His message of prosperity.
In the midst of your sorrow, welcome His message of relief.
In the midst of your pretense, welcome His message of reality.
In the midst of your mess, whatever it is, welcome Him.
Dear Jesus, thank you for welcoming me with open arms. Thank you that no matter how I suffer you are right there, waiting and willing to fill me with your joy through the Holy Spirit. Thank you for being my peace who has broken down every wall. Thank you that nothing can separate me from your love. I love and appreciate you so much. Thank you for loving me with a love that will not let me go. In Jesus name. Amen
Blessings,
Vickie
7 comments:
Vickie, what a beautiful post. It is hard to praise God when we are in pain, but really that is what we need to do the most. I learned this very personally, after I had my first miscarriage. I truly understood what it meant to offer Him a "sacrifice of praise". Your son sounds like an amazing young man of God, and in your reports during this whole ordeal, I just wanted to reach through cyber-space and give him, and you, a big ole giant hug. Thank you for sharing your difficult and hope filled journey. God bless you and your little man!
Awesome devotional again! you have a wondeful gift of speaking in plain english the truths.If we keep our eyes on Him, we get through.
You are a blessing! You are a great mother, and sounds like you are training up your child in the way he should go and when he gets older he will NOT depart from it! Oh, sounds like shoutin' material to me!
Love,
Yolanda
Vicky,
I am humbled by this beautiful post. I am praying that your son is being healed and you both are being strengthened in the Lord.
May the Lord bless you this day. May you find comfort in a Holy embrace.
Hello Vickie,
I am praying for your son that he will be completely healed and feeling well and normal again very soon...that had to be such a hard experience to go through for all of you...I am keeping you in my prayers too, thanks for all your wise and profound posts.
Many blessings to you,
Kelly
what a great post Vickie! so true! :)
Vickie,
I am praying for you and your son as I write this. I want you to know that you and your son are wise in the ways of the LORD beyond your years!
So many people just "love Jesus so much" when they get a blessing...but let trial or tribulation come (as JESUS said it would in this world) and they are angry.
This is the lesson I am learning.....no matter what my circumstance on this earth...to praise HIM because it carries eternal weight.
The most beautiful thing, Vickie is that sacrifice of praise. It is a sacrifice when in pain or in pain over your child. But, we know in all things HE is working something out that we may not see here, but we will know.
You already know so much in HIM..."Blessed be the name of the LORD, though the darkness closes in..still we praise HIM."
You are a true child of Your Father's!
Blessings and love,
Teri
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