Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
For the next 4 days I will be fasting from media.
Philippians 2:…26For he has been longing for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27He was sick indeed, nearly unto death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less anxious.…
Resilience does not come from some secret place only a select few can access. It comes from knowing that there is always a “but God”. . . in every hardship. –Karisa
Today, I admit to you that I am discouraged. My hip is painful and my knees are getting in on the act. A visit with the orthopedist did not result in any easy or long-term solutions. Â They cannot replace cartilage. Surgery to clean out the socket, at this point of deterioration, may be too late to be effective, and a hip replacement would wear out and have to be done again. So I sit here, sipping my anti-inflammatory concoction and remind myself to put on my skates.
A couple of weeks ago, I wanted so badly to get out on the floor with my kids and skate at my nephew’s party, that I finally laced up and went out. I was very cautious . . . at first. One fall and my cartilage might tear worse than it already is. But it was such a pleasure to be out there and I did not fall! So, do I withdraw from life because it could be painful? Do I stop seeking the great physician because the earthly ones can’t find a solution? No! I am convinced that nothing can separate me from God’s love. Pain included!
In this moment I take in a deep breath and lace up my shoes again. Enjoying the life God gives to me, and trusting him with my mind, body, and spirit. He wants good things for us. Put on your skates, and live life to the fullest. Turn this page, and find out what happens next!
How did I go from complete isolation, to this cloud of witnesses cheering me on to the mark God has set before me? Some of you were already there, but my depression became blinders to the help you offered. To my newer friends, or strangers who plant seeds in my life as we pass each other in our journeys, thank you for listening and acting on the Holy Spirit’s counsel. My life is changed because of you!
You all matter so much! Don’t think for a split second that I don’t see you. More importantly, God knows your kindnesses to me! Matthew 25:40 And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me. Do you think that I could withstand the onslaught of this storm alone? Do you think that the living room full of people the day my son died was just a tiny blip on the radar? The effect of their presence is still with me. There are many days, when the darkness draws tighter around me, but God brings your hug, your card, your touch to the forefront of my mind and reminds me that I am not alone!
Today I am thank you for YOU! For your love, support and journeying with me. I’m thankful for my friends encouraging me right now towards better health. I’m grateful, though all that I have may crumble to the ground, God you are faithful. I praise you that my kids are learning this in a mighty way. I’m thankful for Compassion’s pray list that is teaching my children to pray for others around the world. Thank you Lord for your word, that reminds me of who I am, your sovereignty and grace, and who my neighbors are.
Thank you for opening my spirit, mind and body to a new path towards health. Thank you Jesus for not fitting into my box!
Isaiah 26:…2“Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter, The one that remains faithful. 3“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.
Today has been an intentional day of adjusting my mood when it first begins going sour. The strangest result: as I remain calm my family seems to recalibrate their own moods. Pretty cool!
I took the time for a bike ride and my hip only complained once.
Lord, I pray for healing and wholeness for my husband, children and myself. Amen
Isaiah 26:3“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.
Another night of not sleeping, but I am not afraid! Lord, you are enough for me. You open your gates to me, because IÂ remain steadfast in faith.
Love, Karisa
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
This morning I was an explosion waiting to happen. Just light the fuse and shrapnel everywhere! Yet another night of pain and not sleeping. The cortisone shot doesn’t seem to be working. I had intended on recording my thankfulness yesterday, but felt it all stopped up by the struggle and pain of functioning. As I read my Unglued devotional this morning the thankfulness began washing over me!
So Lord, I praise you this morning!
What can you praise God for this morning?
In a previous post on perseverance I spoke about pain as a necessity so that we pay attention, change, and care for our bodies. Some of us, have pain that goes above and beyond the norm.
I just found out that my discs are deteriorating and my hip sockets were not formed right so my cartilage is wearing away. The orthopedist called me a “tween” I am in the teenage years of hip replacement. Right now the goal is pain management but I have surgery in my future. Daunting prospects, because I’ve cared for patients who have the level of pain I currently have and watched their spirits deteriorate along with their body. But, I’ve also watched spirits increase and abound in other patients who chose to open themselves up to Christ being enough in their pain. So how do we meet pain with the balm of spiritual discipline?
1. Acknowledge the pain and our needs
2. Put it in right context: believe
3. Repent of any sin contributing to our health
4. Surround ourselves with a cloud of witnesses
5. Act on the opportunities given for health and wholeness
6. Bless others who are suffering
I know I’m only scratching the surface today, but I’m working through this as I go. We’ll talk more as
I journey through.
Matthew Henry’s commentary on 2 Chronicles 21;12-20, a rather gruesome prophecy given to King Jehoram, but unheeded, is contrasted with very good news for those who believe even while they suffer.
Good men may be afflicted with diseases; but to them they are fatherly chastisements, and by the support of Divine consolations the soul may dwell at ease, even when the body lies in pain. To be sick and poor, sick and solitary, but especially to be sick and in sin, sick and under the curse of God, sick and without grace to bear it, is a most deplorable case. Wickedness and profaneness make men despicable, even in the eyes of those who have but little religion.
Please comment:
Black
Fear, Nothing, Angst, Serious, Overworked, Stormy, Depressed, Intense
Yellow
Anxious, Cool, Cautious, Distracted, Mellow, So-So
Orange
Stressed, Nervous, Mixed, Confused, Upset, Challenged, Indignant
Green-Peridot
Mixed Emotions, Restless, Irritated, Distressed, Worried, Hopeful
Green-Light Green
Normal, Alert, No Great Stress, Sensitive, Jealous, Envious, Guarded
Blue-Green
Upbeat, Pleased, Somewhat Relaxed, Motivated, Flirtatious
Blue
Normal, Optimistic, Accepting, Calm, Peaceful, Pleasant
Indigo-Darker Blue
Deeply Relaxed, Happy, Lovestruck, Bliss, Giving
Violet-Burgandy
Love, Romance, Amorous, Heat, Mischievous, Moody, Dreamer, Sensual
Pink
Very Happy, Warm, Affectionate, Loving, Infatuated, Curious
My child.
Shake depression’s dust from
your travel beaten soul and bathe in
my pure love. Let me pour my healing fragrance
over your wounds and give you rest.
I plucked you from the orphanage
of death and clothed you in the rich threads
of royalty. Everything I have is yours– I withhold
nothing of myself from you.
I have worn your dust, and know your
sin beaten sorrow. I lift your downcast face, to see the
crowning glory of my new day
reflected in the creation of you.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call the National Suicide Lifeline at 988 or go to the website at https://988lifeline.org/