“Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” 1 Timothy 5:23 (NIV)
During a recent doctor visit I told my doctor: “I don’t need another problem.” He replied: “I know.”
Additional illnesses and extra diagnoses are things we do not want. If
you are like me, you really just want the affliction merry-go-round to
stop. I’m guessing that you feel the same frustration as I do when
additional illnesses are added to your already overburdened affliction
account.
My “extra” illness is diabetes. I’ve been non-diabetic, pre-diabetic,
and now am diagnosed as diabetic. I have a meter to carry around to
check my blood with, and an additional medication, and one more thing to
worry about.
Sometimes you feel like you have “paid your dues.” You have had your
share of suffering, have done your time in the prison of affliction, and
need a reprieve from illness.
Life is not fair, that is the most difficult pill we have to swallow; it is the hard reality we face. As our list of afflictions grow we can find ourselves lacking the resources to meet the obligations our afflictions force upon us.
Pray, pray, pray, every Christian with their own list of afflictions
must take those cares before the Lord. I’ve said more than once that I
have no idea how those who do not call upon the Lord can survive chronic
and continual afflictions. Prayer energizes us and gives us hope,
peace, and strength. Prayer reminds us we do not carry our burdens
alone. Prayer puts into motion the resources from above that we will
need to endure and overcome and simply survive affliction.
My fellow Christians in affliction
let us encourage one another in the Lord, and lift each other up in
prayer. We do not walk alone in our afflictions, and we are not without
help. Let us continually remind each other of this important truth. For
the Lord is our strength and help in affliction.
Prayer: Dear Lord, as added burdens come, give us added grace, peace, and strength. Amen.
Karlton Douglas
Copyright 2017
It is hard when "one more' thing comes to our bodies, Karlton. I am sorry to hear about the new diagnosis.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right to say that prayer can take what is hard to the Lord and allow him to minister to us in the midst of it all.
He totally is our strength and will take care of us!
God bless!
Lynn
Thanks Lynn. Yes, He is very much our strength and support through hard times.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless You!