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Listen while you read: "Hail Thou Once Despised Jesus"1
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James 1:12 – Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (ESV)
Recently, I wrote about how God healed my body quickly while renovating my bathroom. Praise be to God! Now it is my turn to find that this is not always the case.
After doing too much cleaning on the caravan roof, my body gave up and protested in no uncertain terms. I had damaged my left knee, thigh, hip, and back. In unison, they screamed out at me to STOP! I had no choice but to leave the cleaning unfinished. Grrr.
For nearly a week, I have been gradually recuperating, unable to do much except swallow nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain-killers to be able to sleep. Healing this time has been slow and frustrating. I guess I am guilty not only of assuming that the will of God is in line with my expectations, but also that His timetable for my recovery is speedy. I suspect now that my timetable for things to be done is not His.
I've not read much Bible, since significant pain makes it hard to concentrate on anything meaningful. Even my favourite television series has lost its thrall.
In these situations, it is easy to fall victim to the temptation to become distant from God. In our exasperation to inform God of His timely duty to us, we can become rather sulky that God is not healing us straight away.
Maybe, as well, we are carrying other burdens — spiritual, psychological, or emotional — that are not visible and find their origins elsewhere.
God knows all these things about us and our foibles, whether we choose to recognize it or not.
The evil one lurks, looking to take advantage of such times. He desires to turn the screws on the pain, to ramp up the fear, and to amplify the sense of separation from God and our unworthiness.
The truth is that no matter where we are or how close to death we may be, Jesus is always there for us, waiting to be asked in. We just have to open the door to our hearts and trust in what is unseen.
It is my experience that prayer, praise, and thanksgiving are great weapons against the darts which the evil one wants to shoot into our lives and to stoke up resentment. As I write in the midst of the clamour of pain, I am reminded to worship and to remember what He has done for me in my life so far. I have no basis for an excuse. All that I have is a gift, even life itself. If you are willing, say with me today this prayer:
Prayer: Lord, I am sorry for taking Your love and forgiveness for granted. I rejoice in all that You have done for me. I rejoice that You came to set me free from the life that enslaves. I humbly ask for Your holy presence to come and be with me today. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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About the author:
Rod Marshall <roderickhenrymarshall@gmail.com>
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
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A timely word, Rod. God bless.
Rod, praying for your recovery and relief.
Pain and suffering brings us closer to God through prayer – alone we are weak and needy.
Good morning, Roderick.
I am praying healing for you.
God bless.
Good morning, Rod,
Thank you for your message. I hope you are doing better today with God’s grace and thank you so much for your prayers.
Blessings!
Hi Rod. Very sorry about your injuries and the severe pain that you are in. Thank you for the reminder not to be discouraged but to trust that God is with you in this and that His timing is always perfect. I am joining you in prayer for healing and complete recovery for your body. Thankfully, your mind is still intact, and your spirit is strong! Blessings.
Rod,
My prayer today is that your pain passes quickly, and you don’t respond to this while in such a state. Please just lie low for healing and I hope our collective prayers help.
I also pray that that old caravan can be cleaned up by a willing friend!
A reader in Canada
Greetings Rod and my prayers will be with you for recovery from the pain you are presently bearing. The body has so many different parts and we never know which part might give us discomfort and cause pain in other parts.
Your closing prayer is much appreciated. Blessings for your special writing and prayers for quick recovery from your discomfort.
My friend for years, Rod,
Thank you for sharing your journey which appears to be much like mine. My “spell” has lasted most of the summer now and finally I sought meds then tried physio and now realize my arthritis screams at me with humidity we have had so much of this summer.
Last night I had to take a pain pill, I took them and got some sleep. But I pay the price as my blood sugar has risen. Life is precious but I must admit it has been full for me with many recoveries.
Give God time to heal and as many are told here in our seniors building. Act your age.
Please know you are in my prayers.
(Ontario, Canada)
So sorry to hear about your pain Rod. Your situation mirrors my own – although I’m a good bit older than you. At 81 I’m thinking so much about having my house clean and cleared before – well, you know. The basement laundry area really needed a face lift – starting with all the cobwebs around the upper beams. On the day I felt ready to tackle those webs I did a great job. The next couple of days, however, revealed that even though I was NOT IN PAIN as I maneuvered the vacuum cleaner above my head, I did in fact cause what is now an ongoing injury. It seems that we must use our experience and knowledge to assess a possible action, and NOT just our current physical ‘feeling’. This is a new reality – and apparently a serious consideration at a certain time in our lives. Like you, I took my abilities for granted!! Bad move. Sounds like your pain will remind you for quite awhile not to overstretch your physical abilities … but there will come a day when you may do what the Israelites did – you will feel great and will have forgotten the pain … don’t go there as I did!! God bless. I shall add you to my prayer list.
Thank you, Rod, for sharing your story and encouraging us to persevere through pain to trust in Him.
GREAT DEVOTIONAL, ROD. Good to hear from you.
Love to all of you.
Thank you for this timely devotional. This has been a hard summer for me with severe lower back spasms, x-rays and an MRI, plus physical therapy. Your words, experience and insight are much needed.
In Him,
(SC USA)