I wrote this devotion about a year after being diagnosed with a health issue that caused chronic pain and did not have a guaranteed cure. When I was first given a diagnosis, I was hopeful for a quick fix, but when that did not happen, I became frustrated. Finally, I allowed God to use my trial to help me grow, and through it, He gave me these thoughts to share.
Get rid of bitterness as soon as you realize it is there.
Hebrews 12:15 says, Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
When my treatment had to be extended, I became a bit more impatient with God. The treatment ended, then I actually realized that from now on, this might be my life. I asked God, “Why?” I was not getting better, but I was getting bitter. I knew how to put up a good front when I was around other people, but I was angry at God. After all, I was a relatively good person: I was a faithful church member, choir member, and nursery worker. I wondered, “Why me?”
On a Wednesday night, our pastor preached on bitterness. He used the example of a rose plant. When it is just beginning to sprout from a seed, it cannot be seen. Eventually, however, it will spring up through the soil, and everyone will know what was underneath the surface. That night, I decided that I was done with bitterness and was finished with asking, “Why?” I needed to ask a different question instead.
Realize that God probably has different plans than you do.
Isaiah 55:8 says, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
Instead of asking, “Why?” I began asking, “What?” What was God trying to teach me? What could I learn from this experience? I learned to consider others with chronic illnesses. I learned not to complain so much. I learned patience. I learned to thank God for every pain-free moment. However, throughout this “learning time,” I still had this thought in the back of my mind, “Surely, once I have learned what God wants me to learn, He will miraculously heal me.” Then, everything would be back to the way it used to be. I was trusting Him to do what I wanted, not what He knew was right for me. It took me a while to figure this out, but I finally decided to accept God’s plan for me, whether it meant pain or healing.
Pray.
Psalm 120:1 says, In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.
This single-word thought pretty much speaks for itself. Pray, pray, and pray some more! Sometimes, I pray for a good day. Occasionally, I pray to make it through the day. Other times, I pray for strength to keep a good attitude. There are days when all I can say is, “Help!” I have decided to lean on God no matter what the day brings.
Quit worrying.
As I was learning through my trial, this thought kept creeping into my mind, “How can I possibly live with this pain for thirty or forty more years of my life?” One particular week, I really struggled with this worry. That Sunday, as I stood in the choir, we began to sing this familiar song:
I don’t know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don’t borrow from its sunshine,
For its skies may turn to gray.
I don’t worry o’er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I’ll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.
Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand,
But I know who holds tomorrow,
And I know who holds my hand.
There I was, worrying about forty years, when I do not even need to worry about tomorrow! I decided to stop worrying and live one day at a time, allowing God to teach me and use me through my trial.
by Amber Slimp
