lake water

In Christ Himself lies my peace as I suffer

As I shared last week, I recently underwent a week of lying flat in bed, staring at the ceiling, asking God to heal the pain-full problem with my brain’s cerebrospinal fluid. I couldn’t comfortably read or listen to anything. All I had was Jesus and talking to Him, hearing His Read more

bird s eye view of sea water

Escape suffering? Or dwell in God’s wonderful peace!

Sometimes, we just want the suffering to end. We just want it to be over so we can “live” again. But when it’s ongoing, chronic…we need God’s help…  to “dwell”…within it, with His peace. Sometimes, we try to run from it. We stuff it, pretend it’s not there, put on Read more

person holding silver fork and bread knife

A thanksgiving prayer for Your help to offer thanksgiving

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me (Psalm 50:23 ESV). Heavenly Father, finding heartfelt words of thanksgiving during suffering and loss can sometimes be challenging. We can make lists of things for which we are thankful. It helps. We can sing words of praise to You, sing Read more

clear glass bottle on white paper

“Being,” in Jesus Christ, as “doing,” with Jesus Christ

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

an eagle flying in the sky

Lord, please give me “Be still, my soul” patience

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

woman in blue and white dress standing in the middle of a road

How can I live within this suffering? Speak, oh Lord!

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

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 Lord’s comforting presence assured me that I was not alone. I asked Him for help to manage whatever the test revealed, Read more

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