chronic illness

hands raised in forest

Chronic pain and stress? Singing praise to God helps!

I’ve learned so much about chronic pain and stress and why singing to God helps! No wonder He compassionately tells us, over and over…. That’s merely one of many Scriptures. He also tells us: So, how is singing praise to God when we suffer His healing BENEFIT to us? Learning about how Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
tealight candle on human palms

Are you sunk so low in the pit of depression?

How long, O Lord, shall I complain Like one that seeks his God in vain? Canst thou thy face forever hide, And I still pray and be denied? (“How Long, O Lord,” Watts, I., p. d.) Does this Psalm-echoing hymn resonate with you? You’re not alone, especially if you suffer Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
close up photo of a woman listening to music

Singing Christ’s hope when chronic pain and illnesses abound

Lists of uncontrollable symptoms. Adding-up ailments. Incurable. Chronic. Pain. Whack-a-mole managing. You too? I’m so thankful my husband drives us to church to worship and praise our Lord with our church family. Sometimes, I’m sitting in agony, but God always fills me with His strengthening love among His people.  As Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
yellow bokeh lights

The angels’ Christmas song points us to our Good Shepherd

Of course it was frightening, for it seemed like just another normal evening to those shepherds. Taking turns on the night shift, watching for threatening attacks, guarding each individual sheep’s needs, and constantly wrestling with the natural elements. Exhausting, longing, waiting on God, loss, fear.  Was life in this fallen Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
woman holding christmas gift

A suffering Christmas with God’s gift of purifying and refining

I’ve been pondering the wondrous truths God reveals about His saving gift. I once asked Him, “What are believers in Christ saved from, exactly?” If anything brings me to my knees in humble gratitude within this year’s suffering Christmas, it’s His answers throughout Scripture. Handel’s Messiah echoes the truth, the very bad Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
horseshoe bend photo

Soldier of Christ? Arise in and through our suffering!

In this week’s one-year anniversary of brain surgery, I am in awe of what our Lord and King has done. I’m alive! Hallelujah! Beloved in Christ, it’s far grander than His kind gift of so much physical healing. It’s way more holistic and weighty than that. I can only describe what Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
photo of woman lying in hospital bed

Sweet comfort from God, to endure more suffering

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…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
an elderly man consoling a woman

Bringing our emotions to the feet of Jesus

God made us emotional beings, housed in a body with a cognitive brain that thinks and an emotional brain that simultaneously “feels.”  Beloved in Christ, God not only understands our emotions, but He created us with physical brains… that automatically have them.  Many faithful and mature children of God (e.g., Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
woman praying

Giving my litany of losses to my Lord of love

Lord of love, Job cried his litany of losses to You with honesty, in lament. In grief. In depression. I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul (Job 7:11 ESV).  He told You everything he’s feeling, echoing lament songs You’ve given Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago
eyeglass with gold colored frames

Need strength for today? Afflicted saint, to Christ, draw near

Into my utter exhaustion one afternoon, I read God’s promise,  “As your days, your strength shall be” (Deut. 33:25),  and this song immediately came to mind once again.  Afflicted saint, to Christ draw near,The Savior’s gracious promise hear;His faithful word declares to thee,That as thy days, thy strength shall be. Read more…

By Lauri Hogle, ago

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