Jacob leaned on his staff and praised God. This is how the book of Hebrews remembered him. Not by the feats he accomplished in his time on earth but by his praise to God as he underwent a debilitating pain that kept him from walking without a limp. I often wonder to myself why God would allow chronic pain or disease. I know the answers we give but sometimes the cookie-cutter theological words cannot give one the solace they need amid the trial. Job himself was being lectured by a thousand different “correct” answers yet when all was restored to him it was not Job who was rebuked harshly but rather those who came to correct Job and tell him it was all his fault that he was in anguish. Sometimes there is no real answer that will be the balm for our wounded souls.
I am a very fortunate person, like some others, that have not REALLY suffered. We have witnessed others suffering, (perhaps caused some suffering 🤨) I enjoyed reading this. I wish I could send it to some friends but they would not read it bc they are too lazy.
I am so very very grateful that God guides me. God is everything.
I have suffered greatly in this life. Been tried in the fires. My faith is unshakeable. There are things only those who suffer can fathom when it comes to God. Perhaps they are the ones who are meant to teach by example. (If I can overcome so much pain and trauma then you can too.) No matter what abuses I endured, I always knew I had a purpose to fulfill for God. It is what kept me going in the worst of times. These times we are in at present, have taught me why I had to endure so much. To be ready for such a time as this. My faith grows stronger and I will do what ever God needs me too. I have been persecuted by those who were suppose to love me, my entire life. There is nothing that could be worse than that, in my mind. I understand the cost of following Christ. Faith is stronger than fear. To be absent of the body is to be in the presence of God. So, I ask you, what do I have to lose? There is nothing this world can dish out that can separate me from God. NCSWIC. God bless.
Sometimes it comes down to a stoic principle, not allowing the devil to glean any power from your pain. It does not solely define you as a martyr when you are capable of keeping faith, love, and courage as your shield. In this day it seems of utmost importance to find joy and hope in every situation, if for no other reason than to confound the devil so his energy is further spent without gain. God Bless You and everyone reading this.
Beautiful, Pepe! I have been suffering with an absolutely broken heart for many years, bc our beautiful family has been shattered. First bc of Christ and then bc of the truth about the plandemic, the 2nd amendment,…..Pres Trump, you name it. My husband and dearly loved our 3 kids as we sought to raise them in the Lord and give them a wonderful upbringing. Now they are 25, 27, and 33, and 2 if the 3 have rejected Christ, and two want almost nothing to do with us. Some days the pain seems unbearable. Thank you for the reminder about Paul’s situation. When He told Paul. “No,” He also said, “My grace is sufficient for you. For power is perfected in weakness.” I had forgotten about those verses. Thanks for the reminder.
I really really like your insight in this particular article. You really thought it out and have a way of saying things that we can understand. I can see it. I can feel it. Thank you.
Thank you for this! As I have had Bell's Palsy for 3 years, it is almost healed, but my left eye and part of my left mouth still are not 100%, then food allergies that leave me living like a recluse, by the Grace of God, I figured out which food trigger it, so it is somewhat controllable, and has really led me to better clean eating and a full clean KETO diet. All of this happened when I turned 50, and came from nowhere, I did not take the vaxx. I was suicidal at first, I was just done, but my loving husband brought me back from the brink, he is truly a God send, and I am so grateful that I have spent the last 35 years of my life with him. Even in the most down times of life, God opens another door, it is almost like the pain and suffering is pushing you to something else that you would of not gone to had the illness or injury not happened. Same with financial difficulties and job loss, God seems to push you in a different direction and it always works out. Praise God and I do thank him for all of the suffering, it has showed me Love and Patience.
Not sure what came over me while reading this. Living with RA for 16 years is a challenge that I thought I had a good grip on. Started sobbing about the second paragraph and didn't stop until long after I was done reading. A good cleansing cry.. If fact I could easily start again right now. You have a gift that I treasure. Thank you for your words.
I too can relate to this Pepe! Excruciating sciatica pain, had surgery to release the nerve being crushed, only to find out that hopefully now it can heal. Two years later still plagued with it healing, sloooowley and hopefully surely. I also wondered, is it something I did wrong? Do I not have enough faith to see this resolved swiftly? Sometimes I feel so alone in this pain but your writing really made me think and and helped with some answers. I'm not alone, we all have our own battles. Through it all, I love the Lord and thank him for giving me the strength to get through some of my worst days ever, knowing it could always be worse. Thank you again for being You! =)
Wow! I know from your writing that, although this certainly pertains to you and your own suffering, (which I pray is soon diminished or gone) it comes- once again -as a blessing and a reminder to those of us who also suffer. Whether it’s physical or emotional/psychological pain, we must get with God. For me, today was the perfect day to read this, so Thank you again. It’s amazing how we can count on you to right the ship. LET IT BE! 🙏🇺🇸🙏
The key is to stop asking "Why me?" and instead say "Why not me?" If God needs someone who is in constant pain, then volunteer: "Choose me!" What better way to confound our enemy than to live in gratitude for all things, without qualification or any explanation.
I feel like this was written for me. Literally. I walk with a limp. Have all my life. Was born with dislocated hips and have had many surgeries as a child and adult. Mental and physical pain is no stranger to me. I was blessed with about 10 years of pain free living until the back issues that were a result of my disability hit. Pain like I've never been through before. Pain where I was basically screaming at God and beyond angry. Wasn't it enough that I was born this way. I have to admit not proud of my behavior. Mad at God. I just didn't know how to handle the pain. Months of pain. Pain that will never fully go away. I'm not sure how I will handle it when it happens again but I pray I can hold it together enough not to blame God. Just to pray for strength and grace to get through again and to be grateful for the days that are not so bad.
Thank you Pepe; so timely and honest. It is something I have struggled with. Many years ago, I suffered a horrific tragedy and lost my fragile faith. It was a long road back, but it was a long hard road I had to take. I thought God had abandoned me and everyone else who got hurt, but I know now that even after I turned my back, He never abandoned me. I didn’t deserve that loyalty. I make a point every night to thank Him for the day, no matter how bad the day was. In actively thanking Him, I find I can always tease out parts of the day that were significant and worthy of thankfulness, no matter how small. Even the pain is worthy, it makes us warriors. Nothing I’ve endured can compare to the agony of Christ. Every day we are here and spiritually present is reason for gratitude. I still struggle, and I am learning to lean on God in my pain and to accept the things I just don’t understand. The hardest part is in accepting that I am weak and He is strong. Your post touched me deeply ❤️
beautifully written.
Thank you.
I am a very fortunate person, like some others, that have not REALLY suffered. We have witnessed others suffering, (perhaps caused some suffering 🤨) I enjoyed reading this. I wish I could send it to some friends but they would not read it bc they are too lazy.
I am so very very grateful that God guides me. God is everything.
I have suffered greatly in this life. Been tried in the fires. My faith is unshakeable. There are things only those who suffer can fathom when it comes to God. Perhaps they are the ones who are meant to teach by example. (If I can overcome so much pain and trauma then you can too.) No matter what abuses I endured, I always knew I had a purpose to fulfill for God. It is what kept me going in the worst of times. These times we are in at present, have taught me why I had to endure so much. To be ready for such a time as this. My faith grows stronger and I will do what ever God needs me too. I have been persecuted by those who were suppose to love me, my entire life. There is nothing that could be worse than that, in my mind. I understand the cost of following Christ. Faith is stronger than fear. To be absent of the body is to be in the presence of God. So, I ask you, what do I have to lose? There is nothing this world can dish out that can separate me from God. NCSWIC. God bless.
Sometimes it comes down to a stoic principle, not allowing the devil to glean any power from your pain. It does not solely define you as a martyr when you are capable of keeping faith, love, and courage as your shield. In this day it seems of utmost importance to find joy and hope in every situation, if for no other reason than to confound the devil so his energy is further spent without gain. God Bless You and everyone reading this.
Beautiful, Pepe! I have been suffering with an absolutely broken heart for many years, bc our beautiful family has been shattered. First bc of Christ and then bc of the truth about the plandemic, the 2nd amendment,…..Pres Trump, you name it. My husband and dearly loved our 3 kids as we sought to raise them in the Lord and give them a wonderful upbringing. Now they are 25, 27, and 33, and 2 if the 3 have rejected Christ, and two want almost nothing to do with us. Some days the pain seems unbearable. Thank you for the reminder about Paul’s situation. When He told Paul. “No,” He also said, “My grace is sufficient for you. For power is perfected in weakness.” I had forgotten about those verses. Thanks for the reminder.
Pepe, love getting your messages of hope in these difficult times. Thank you, Fren!
Well written god bless fren
I really really like your insight in this particular article. You really thought it out and have a way of saying things that we can understand. I can see it. I can feel it. Thank you.
Thank you for this! As I have had Bell's Palsy for 3 years, it is almost healed, but my left eye and part of my left mouth still are not 100%, then food allergies that leave me living like a recluse, by the Grace of God, I figured out which food trigger it, so it is somewhat controllable, and has really led me to better clean eating and a full clean KETO diet. All of this happened when I turned 50, and came from nowhere, I did not take the vaxx. I was suicidal at first, I was just done, but my loving husband brought me back from the brink, he is truly a God send, and I am so grateful that I have spent the last 35 years of my life with him. Even in the most down times of life, God opens another door, it is almost like the pain and suffering is pushing you to something else that you would of not gone to had the illness or injury not happened. Same with financial difficulties and job loss, God seems to push you in a different direction and it always works out. Praise God and I do thank him for all of the suffering, it has showed me Love and Patience.
Not sure what came over me while reading this. Living with RA for 16 years is a challenge that I thought I had a good grip on. Started sobbing about the second paragraph and didn't stop until long after I was done reading. A good cleansing cry.. If fact I could easily start again right now. You have a gift that I treasure. Thank you for your words.
I too can relate to this Pepe! Excruciating sciatica pain, had surgery to release the nerve being crushed, only to find out that hopefully now it can heal. Two years later still plagued with it healing, sloooowley and hopefully surely. I also wondered, is it something I did wrong? Do I not have enough faith to see this resolved swiftly? Sometimes I feel so alone in this pain but your writing really made me think and and helped with some answers. I'm not alone, we all have our own battles. Through it all, I love the Lord and thank him for giving me the strength to get through some of my worst days ever, knowing it could always be worse. Thank you again for being You! =)
Wow! I know from your writing that, although this certainly pertains to you and your own suffering, (which I pray is soon diminished or gone) it comes- once again -as a blessing and a reminder to those of us who also suffer. Whether it’s physical or emotional/psychological pain, we must get with God. For me, today was the perfect day to read this, so Thank you again. It’s amazing how we can count on you to right the ship. LET IT BE! 🙏🇺🇸🙏
Your beautiful words are truly a blessing to all of us. Thank you!
This is a keeper. So well written and so true.
The key is to stop asking "Why me?" and instead say "Why not me?" If God needs someone who is in constant pain, then volunteer: "Choose me!" What better way to confound our enemy than to live in gratitude for all things, without qualification or any explanation.
The river runs (wild) only with God through it completely
I feel like this was written for me. Literally. I walk with a limp. Have all my life. Was born with dislocated hips and have had many surgeries as a child and adult. Mental and physical pain is no stranger to me. I was blessed with about 10 years of pain free living until the back issues that were a result of my disability hit. Pain like I've never been through before. Pain where I was basically screaming at God and beyond angry. Wasn't it enough that I was born this way. I have to admit not proud of my behavior. Mad at God. I just didn't know how to handle the pain. Months of pain. Pain that will never fully go away. I'm not sure how I will handle it when it happens again but I pray I can hold it together enough not to blame God. Just to pray for strength and grace to get through again and to be grateful for the days that are not so bad.
Thank you Pepe; so timely and honest. It is something I have struggled with. Many years ago, I suffered a horrific tragedy and lost my fragile faith. It was a long road back, but it was a long hard road I had to take. I thought God had abandoned me and everyone else who got hurt, but I know now that even after I turned my back, He never abandoned me. I didn’t deserve that loyalty. I make a point every night to thank Him for the day, no matter how bad the day was. In actively thanking Him, I find I can always tease out parts of the day that were significant and worthy of thankfulness, no matter how small. Even the pain is worthy, it makes us warriors. Nothing I’ve endured can compare to the agony of Christ. Every day we are here and spiritually present is reason for gratitude. I still struggle, and I am learning to lean on God in my pain and to accept the things I just don’t understand. The hardest part is in accepting that I am weak and He is strong. Your post touched me deeply ❤️