Have you ever wondered how much more you could possibly endure? I had that moment recently. Hooked up to beeping machines in the hospital, tears welled up. I felt like such a burden to others in my weakness. Stuck, dependent, weary, unable, overwhelmed. In desperate need of our Helper once Read more…
A mighty fortress is our God,a bulwark never failing;our helper he, amid the floodof mortal ills prevailing. (“A Mighty Fortress,” Luther, M., 1529) Mortal ills and storms of life in this fallen world, raging temptations to sin, all of us desperately needing God’s help. Here’s one of the greatest of Read more…
Sometimes, it feels like being trapped. Like we’re victims, prisoners of war. Stuck in pressured darkness, feeling there’s no way out of problems, imprisoned in sick bodies, continually being revisited by trauma. It’s all within our contexts of ongoing battles in this fallen world decaying in sin. Sometimes, we’re faced Read more…
My compassionate doctor kindly encouraged me, “Give yourself grace.” Needing more rehab, more medication, more rest? Her words were God’s gift of grace, melting away a burden I’d been feeling. “Give myself grace” when my body, mind, and spirit endure ongoing suffering. As God continues His holistically healing work, He Read more…
I felt defeated, discouraged, guilty, lazy. Unable to “do” what I’d planned. Letting others down. Now, nine months after my second chiari malformation brain surgery but still rehabilitating, I’d forgotten that I may look “fine” and I’m able to “do” at times, but other times? I just…can’t. Those times come Read more…
As grief overwhelmed me, I lost my patience. Anger welled up and had to be honestly released with a shout. Shrouded in loss and shocked by my unusually loud reaction, I asked God to help me see what lay beneath my tear-full explosion. My anguish had started with an unexpected Read more…
Recently, I shared about some precious friends who’ve experienced our Father’s comfort in affliction, who then shared that comfort with me and my husband. It came after their intense affliction. But how can we experience His comfort within this suffering, a suffocating affliction? How can we know His desires for Read more…
Do you ever have days when you wonder if maybe Satan is winning? Does it feel like the grip of evil in this world is just too much to handle? Does it seem like someone you care about is just too immersed in this fallen world to possibly become part Read more…
Suffering is prime time for our enemy to tempt us to sin. We’re tempted to doubt what God says about Himself in His Word. If we’re suffering, how can God be good? We’re tempted to doubt the gospel is true…are we really saved? If we’re suffering, how could He love Read more…
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 Lord’s comforting presence assured me that I was not alone. I asked Him for help to manage whatever the test revealed, Read more…
Protected by Security by CleanTalk