job print on book

When we feel like nothing, and no one is helpful in battles, we need our HelperĀ 

I opened my phone, and social media tore into me. Memes complaining about ā€œthe world,ā€ suffering and sin, and Scriptures meant to warn unbelievers wrecked my already-aching heart. When I realized I was suddenly feeling condemned and wallowing in ā€œselfā€ thoughts, I knewā€¦these peopleā€™s posts were not helpful. When we Read more…

three lamp on green field

He brought us out of tight places!

Lying in a familiar tight place, head gripped in an immovable vise, restricted by an MRI tube of loud darkness, I closed my eyes and prayed as always. Our Lordā€™s comforting presence assured me that I was not alone. I asked Him for help to manage whatever the test revealed, Read more…

grapes

My life has fruit-bearing purpose, even in suffering

As my brain surgery continues to heal, Iā€™ve had moments when Iā€™ve asked God, ā€œWhy am I still here? How can I love and serve You if my body canā€™t ā€˜doā€™ what it used to? How can I be fruit-bearing if Iā€™m differently-abled?ā€ Iā€™ve felt worthā€¦”less,” wondering about my purpose, Read more…

lake surrounded with mountains

Longing for home, the promised land, O Christ, our hope

Some days, we desperately yearn for suffering to end. With the Psalmists, we cry, ā€œHow long, oh Lord?ā€ In those moments, God reminds meā€¦weā€™re actually longing for home. What a kind Father to give us details of the end of every ache and loss, hope for reaching His promised land. Read more…

photography of pool near fence

Do you want to be healed?

When Jesus saw him lying by the pool, He asked: Do you want to be healed or ā€œmade whole?ā€  The man at the pool had suffered from chronic illness and disabilityā€¦ for 38 yearsā€¦  desperately seeking to feel betterā€¦ likely fighting daily with self-pity and hopeless angst. In such compassion, Read more…

woman doing hand heart sign

“Love songs” in suffering: My Jesus, I love TheeĀ 

My memories of last fallā€™s months are fading. Slipping in and out of consciousness, overcome by constant intractable pain and extra bouts of electric shocks, dealing with weakening side effects of treatmentā€¦well, itā€™s Godā€™s mercy that Iā€™m forgetting much of it now. Praise to our loving, powerfully healing, compassionate God! Read more…

lady in beach silhouette during daytime photography

Shining Christ in us, have Thine own way, Lord

Lord, We pray for so much right now. We come to You for help, our loving Abba Father, as believers in Jesus Christ, who is our elder brother. You always hear our prayers just as You heard His, always with us by Your indwelling Holy Spirit (Mt. 28:20, 1 Cor. Read more…

white and pink box

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound! God’s gift of grace!

My heart broke when I saw her post, changing the lyrics of this hymn, saddened by what had become her angered unbelief in God’s gift of grace in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Suffering rattles our trust in Him, doesnā€™t it? Oh, how we all need Godā€™s amazing grace, offered Read more…

person hand reaching body of water

Take courage, my soul, releasing anxiety to the Lord Jesus

Iā€™m in awe of the powerfully healing work of our loving Lord. Heā€™s compassionately given us many ways to cope with anxietyā€™s raging symptoms. For they can be particularly strong during (and after) the storms of this fallen world, with its blustering torrents of crisis and changes in our lives. Read more…

photography of barrel wave

Peace in the storms of anxiety

My chronic illnesses and brainstem herniation boiled into a raging storm seven months ago. Each day held so many moments of scary health crisis that I continually asked God to keep me physically safe during the hours my husband had to work. After my beautifully care-giving husband helped me get Read more…

Protected by Security by CleanTalk