"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:19
Stress is made up of many factors we are facing and dealing with. Living with a chronic illness, there are a few I face and deal with myself. Pain, fear, doubt, uncertainty, and add in the regular day to day struggles of working, money and relationships. In the passage, John 14:19 ,Jesus tells us that he will give us peace. Not the worldly peace free of problems and conflict, but the peace of resting in assurance we do not need to worry about the present or fear the future. Let the Holy Spirit fill your heart and feel the peace He brings to you.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. " Philippians 4:6,7
Paul gives advice in this passage to turn your stress, all your worries into prayer. Imagine how wonderful it feels to not worry or be stressed. All we need to do is pray to God to take these worries and burdens away. God will guard our hearts and our minds from worries and stress.
I have done this and know that it works. Some days do require a lot of prayer with worries the world sends my way, yet it works, God takes it all away and brings peace. I realize there is no real reason to worry. We have a wonderful place awaiting us in Heaven.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Eternal Rewards
I was sitting on my couch looking out the window thinking about what to write. A meadowlark and a mourning dove were walking around in the yard singing their beautiful songs. A passage came to mind while watching and listening to them. "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father." Matthew 10:29
God is aware of everything taking place, even with the sparrows. We are much more important to God than sparrows. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16. We should never fear the trials or troubles that come our way. Whether it be illness, money, relationships, or any of the worldly things that can cause us problems and pain, we need to remember we have the love of God and His Spirit within us.
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves . Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16 God did not say that things would always be easy and that there would be no pain or troubles. We need to stand strong in our faith and not falter. If we can stand firm and for Christ, despite of what we go through then our rewards will be great in heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11,12
God is aware of everything taking place, even with the sparrows. We are much more important to God than sparrows. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16. We should never fear the trials or troubles that come our way. Whether it be illness, money, relationships, or any of the worldly things that can cause us problems and pain, we need to remember we have the love of God and His Spirit within us.
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves . Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16 God did not say that things would always be easy and that there would be no pain or troubles. We need to stand strong in our faith and not falter. If we can stand firm and for Christ, despite of what we go through then our rewards will be great in heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11,12
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Humbled
"Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up" James 4:10
Humility is something I have truly learned these past few years. I have always known God, loved and prayed to him. Still, I wasn't close to Him, not like He wanted me to be. Having three boys, one of them with many physical and mental challenges brought me closer to God and taught me many things along the way. "Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:4
Believe it or not there were many friends and family members that thought my son should be placed somewhere to live. I was upset at the very thought of it. I know they were just looking out for what they thought my best interest. My husband and I have taken care of my son for 19 years now and I would not have it any other way. He is a blessing from God that we were given to care for.
In May 2007, 11 months after a hysterectomy, I came up against my next round of challenges. There was no gradual decline of my health, instead it hit me sudden and hard like running into a brick wall. Certified as a personal trainer and pilates instructor I knew my body well, as I had pushed it to the limits many times getting in the best shape I had ever been in prior to my surgery. My recovery went well after surgery and I was feeling great until that day the terrible pain and extreme weariness hit. At first I thought it was the flu coming on. I would go to work and come home to go straight to bed as it took all my energy to get thru the day at work. Thankfully I had a loving husband that helped with the children. There were no other relatives living in the same town of the Air Force base we were stationed at.
Finally, not able to deal with the pain and fatigue anymore, I seeked medical help. After numerous dr. visits, x-rays, and labwork I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, disc degeneration, and osteoarthritis. No, I am not going to die from these things but at times feel like I could. Knowing that I have to live the rest of my life with this was depressing and unsettling. I didn't understand how God could let this happen to me when I have a family, along with a special needs child to care for. There were times when I lay in bed crying and praying. I felt at my lowest, weak and helpless. With chronic illness it is hard for others to understand since you look absolutely fine to them. Lonliness can strike with all the negative thoughts that come along with it. Having gained weight from meds and not being able to exercise or do the day to day things I used to I struggled with self-worth. It was apparent to me that a touch of vanity needed to be purged from my being as well. God has taught me that true beauty comes from within and from our actions.
All of these thoughts and feelings are behind me now as I totally lean on God and try to do as He tells me. I am never alone and He is always there. I know that I will be able to live through this pain and help others from my experiences.
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29
Humility is something I have truly learned these past few years. I have always known God, loved and prayed to him. Still, I wasn't close to Him, not like He wanted me to be. Having three boys, one of them with many physical and mental challenges brought me closer to God and taught me many things along the way. "Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:4
Believe it or not there were many friends and family members that thought my son should be placed somewhere to live. I was upset at the very thought of it. I know they were just looking out for what they thought my best interest. My husband and I have taken care of my son for 19 years now and I would not have it any other way. He is a blessing from God that we were given to care for.
In May 2007, 11 months after a hysterectomy, I came up against my next round of challenges. There was no gradual decline of my health, instead it hit me sudden and hard like running into a brick wall. Certified as a personal trainer and pilates instructor I knew my body well, as I had pushed it to the limits many times getting in the best shape I had ever been in prior to my surgery. My recovery went well after surgery and I was feeling great until that day the terrible pain and extreme weariness hit. At first I thought it was the flu coming on. I would go to work and come home to go straight to bed as it took all my energy to get thru the day at work. Thankfully I had a loving husband that helped with the children. There were no other relatives living in the same town of the Air Force base we were stationed at.
Finally, not able to deal with the pain and fatigue anymore, I seeked medical help. After numerous dr. visits, x-rays, and labwork I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, disc degeneration, and osteoarthritis. No, I am not going to die from these things but at times feel like I could. Knowing that I have to live the rest of my life with this was depressing and unsettling. I didn't understand how God could let this happen to me when I have a family, along with a special needs child to care for. There were times when I lay in bed crying and praying. I felt at my lowest, weak and helpless. With chronic illness it is hard for others to understand since you look absolutely fine to them. Lonliness can strike with all the negative thoughts that come along with it. Having gained weight from meds and not being able to exercise or do the day to day things I used to I struggled with self-worth. It was apparent to me that a touch of vanity needed to be purged from my being as well. God has taught me that true beauty comes from within and from our actions.
All of these thoughts and feelings are behind me now as I totally lean on God and try to do as He tells me. I am never alone and He is always there. I know that I will be able to live through this pain and help others from my experiences.
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29
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