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
Are your hard days becoming hard years of a hard life? As we both look ahead, let’s find courage as we pray together, for God is redeeming our suffering. God’s redeeming work of grace Father, I continually cherish Your rescuing gift of saving grace. My blessed Redeemer gave Himself 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
I opened my phone, and social media tore into me. Memes complaining about “the world,” 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 “self” thoughts, I knew…these people’s posts were not helpful. When we Read more
My memories of last fall’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 treatment…well, it’s God’s mercy that I’m forgetting much of it now. Praise to our loving, powerfully healing, compassionate God! Read more
I’m in awe of the powerfully healing work of our loving Lord. He’s compassionately given us many ways to cope with anxiety’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
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
Precious Lord, Take my hand. I come to You weary. Help me to sing today. I need no other argument, I need no other plea, it is enough that Jesus died, and that he died for me. (“MY FAITH HAS FOUND A RESTING PLACE,” EDMUNDS, L. H., 1891) Who shall bring any charge against God’s Read more
As one who’s begged God for healing over many years of progressively worsening illness, Job feels like a chronic illness friend to me. Check out chapters 2, 7, 16, 19, 29, and 30 for gruesome details. Stories like Job’s remind me that it’s God’s healing mercy when we experience moments Read more
The enemy is such a liar and accuser when we live with suffering. Especially when it’s chronic, ongoing throughout this life. Especially in a crisis that lasts. Satan can tempt us to think that suffering means we’re “weak Christians” who don’t have “enough faith.” We easily feel shamed, judged, afraid, Read more
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