Finding Our Inner Child

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15

Christmas, birthday parties, amusement parks, trick-or-treating, Disney movies, Easter egg hunts, certain words or combinations of words bring back childhood memories.

We were all once children. My three-year-old granddaughter sometimes asks me: Were you a baby?

It is hard to believe when you hit old age and all that comes with it that we were ever children or babies. Nevertheless, we all were once upon a time.

My maternal grandmother in her old age had a curio cabinet filled with baby dolls. She would occasionally take one out and hold it and look it over. Her countenance was transformed and took on the appearance of a little girl again. It was beautiful to behold. Joy can do that, even to those of us growing gray and wrinkled.

Jesus said we must be like children to enter His kingdom. At first glance His words seem inconceivable. Like when Jesus told Nicodemus one must be born again, and the Pharisee could not comprehend turning back the clock and entering the womb a second time. Neither can we reverse the aging process and relive our childhood, no matter how much we might wish to do so.

Childlike faith and joy are a gift from God. The world makes us hard and jaded, cold and lifeless. But the Spirit of God revives us, fills us with joy, and opens our heart to the possible and impossible.

Finding our inner child is possible only through opening our hearts and minds to joy, to God. Put aside your unbelief and dare to believe that God has more in store for you than your wildest imagination could ever conjur. Ask God to fill you with joy and faith and the goodness of God. Allow God to help you find your inner child.

Prayer: Dear Lord, give us childlike faith and joy. Renew within us the courage to believe in the impossible, for with You all things are possible. Amen.

Your Suffering Gives You Credibility

“He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things'” Luke 24: 46-48

    Did you know that Jesus calls people in all occupations and from every walk of life to become His disciples? This wide variety of people from so many different places and differing lives each have the ability to reach people for Christ. 

    Those of us who have suffered and survived illness and disease come from a particular walk of life that gives us the ability to reach ill and hurting people who others cannot fully relate to.

     You might think, what can we do when we can barely leave our sick beds or step outside of our houses? I believe we can do something for Christ whether we can climb out of our bed, or are barely able to get out into the wide world.

    We can witness about the goodness of God, even in our affliction.

    You see a wealthy preacher on television with excellent health, and no problems to speak of. He can promise lots of things to ill people, but he has no idea what they are actually going through, and perhaps has very little empathy for something he little understands.

    However, you and I understand. We can empathize, and we can encourage people to place their faith in Christ because we know what it means to have His help and comfort in our affliction.

    You are a powerful witness as a survivor of affliction. Take that power and witness to others who are downcast and hurting. Nothing is more fruitful than that.

    Few people in life are completely untouched by loss, disease, and suffering. Use your pain to connect with those who are suffering and enduring hardship.

    You can reach people who are hurting because you know what pain and suffering feels like. You know how meaningful it is to feel the peace and presence of Jesus in your Afflictions.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to always lift Your name high, even when we are feeling very low. Amen.

Lighting Up The Darkness

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

People need Light. Some people need light more than others. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is an illness that comes from a lack of sunlight. In Winter months when sunlight is diminished, those affected by SAD become depressed and miserable from the darkness.

People in northern areas of the world suffer the most from a lack of light due to their long winters living in the northern hemisphere. For instance, people in Denmark with their very long and dark Winters have learned to use lots of lights and to leave them on to cheer up themselves and those around them.

Darkness is a problem in this world. Not just long winters in cold climates, but in the lives of many who suffer from a darkness in their souls. They seek to fill up that darkness with pleasure, fame, material things, and people, hoping to bring light into their own darkness. 

There is one true Light in this dark world and His name is Jesus. He brings light into the darkest heart and the most hopeless places and situations. A lamp in the night is a wonderful thing, but the light of Jesus in the heart of one who surrenders themselves to God is the most beautiful light of all.

If your life is filled with darkness, if you have never invited the Savior into your heart, ask Him in. Ask Jesus to become the light of your life and to drive away your darkness.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we live in a dark world that needs You badly. Come into our darkness and replace it with the light of Your Love. Amen.

Prolonged Difficulties Need Prolonged Faith

You will keep in perfect peace

    those whose minds are steadfast,

    because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3

Weeks of difficulties and challenges can leave you feeling physically exhausted, mentally and emotionally drained, and wondering why God is not stepping in to help you.

Even when I had pneumonia years ago, it did not last for more than four weeks. Yet I find myself just now recovering from a lung inflammation/infection as I start my fourth antibiotic and third course of Prednisone over four  weeks later. Daily breathing treatments, coughing, feeling both irritated and frustrated that my lung is still congested after so long, one begins to forget what normal breathing feels like.

While of course God does not abandon us in such circumstances, we can find our patience growing thin and wondering why it is taking Him so long to arrive on the scene. Yet I know from experience that God has His own timing and He often needs to bring certain things or situations into alignment before positive change occurs. In retrospect I can see a couple of things He wanted adjusted through my process of healing, but at the time you are enduring hardship it is difficult to see or understand any of it.

This when experience matters. Recalling past difficulties God has seen you through can be immensely helpful in putting current problems into proper perspective. When we remember all the good things God has already done for us, and the endless difficulties He has brought us through over the years, we can more easily adjust our mind and emotions to face the current problems.

We will all have difficulties in life of one sort or another. Your challenge may be a situation with your job, a difficult relationship, financial troubles, or like myself, a health issue. Whatever you are facing it is worth stopping for a moment in time, look back at past difficulties and successes, and recall that you are never in hard times alone. You have an Awesome, All Powerful, and Faithful Heavenly Father who will never leave or forsake you! Christian, above all never forget that when your days on earth are through Jesus will be there to receive You into His Kingdom!

Prayer: Dear Lord, life can weaken and wear us down, strengthen our feeble knees and put strength back into our step. With You all things are possible. Praise be to Your  Holy Name! Amen.

Have You Lost Your Childlike Joy?

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these'” Matthew 19:14

    When I was a child I found joy and excitement in so many things. I remember looking forward to Saturdays, because here in the U.S.A. that was “Cartoon Day” for us. We eagerly anticipated all the cartoons on television that day of every week.

    We got excited about going to the park or to the playground. We were ecstatic about going to get an ice cream cone. If my ten year old self could see the blessings we enjoy today he probably would burst for joy.

    Jesus loved children. He saw in them a sense of joy and wonder that too often fades in adults as the years go by, leaving faithlessness and bitterness in its place. Sadly, even we Christians who have more reason for joy than anyone else on earth are too often joyless.

    When we get to heaven, I suspect all the old, tired, adult bad moods and attitudes we have will be quickly replaced with the kind of joy we lived with every day as children. What awesome wonders await us. What a majestic God we will meet there!

    Every good thing we have ever known on earth will be multiplied a thousand times over there.

    Christian, I know very well how illness, disease, and continued disabilities and afflictions of all kinds can rob you of joy, leaving pain and misery instead. Yet I believe, even if it takes some effort, we need to rekindle that childlike joy and wonder we once knew. We need those childlike eyes that could find wonder, awe, and happiness in the smallest of things.

    I encourage you this week to rediscover the child within you. Discover if you are able to see with the eyes of a child, finding wonder and joy and happiness in the everyday things we too often take for granted.

    Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to be childlike, but not childish and immature. Help us to rekindle that childlike joy and wonder we all enter this world with. Amen.

Coping With The Vicissitudes Of Life

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15

There is a saying: “If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans.” That’s a powerful truth. The vicissitudes of life strike us all, often when least expected. Sometimes it is financial turmoil. At other times a breakdown in relationships between friends or family members. But the one that often hits us the hardest is illness, for it most often comes with little or no warning, and even when we think we are prepared for such things--we still find ourselves taken by surprise.

I’m into my second week of the worst bronchitis I’ve ever experienced. That is trying enough with all my other health issues. But just days after my bronchitis diagnosis, my wife has gotten covid. By some miracle we have missed out on the terrible covid surges that first arrived with the virus, and even the delta variant surge that struck over the summer. But as the virus appears to be winding down, my wife is hit hard by the bug.

After two covid tests I am still clear of the virus. Yet the bronchitis has stubbornly clung to my right lung. In the midst of it all I have been to the hospital and urgent care to be checked and tested for covid just to make sure my bronchitis is not “covid in disguise”. Meanwhile, I grieve over my wife suffering with the virus and finding ourselves in the situation where she is now among those afflicted by the terrible bug. She is unused to being the ill one. I told her jokingly that I am the sick one of the house and she is not allowed to be ill. 

Of course we will both survive and get through to the other side of our afflictions. For me it is an old familiar procession. For my wife it is more of a new, and horrible experience.

Covid has been ginned up by the news media milking it for ratings and preying on our already substantial fears of the novel bug. So just the mention of the word “Covid” ignites fears and worries that are amplified with each day’s news stories. Of course the news media does not focus upon the many millions of people in all age groups who have survived the virus, but upon each and every tragedy associated with it. So you find yourself not only having to cope with the virus, which is bad enough, but driving back your own fears which have been stoked for more than a year with Covid.

In all our fears and the troubling vicissitudes of life we must be ready to adjust ourselves and strengthen our faith through whatever trials await us. Remembering all the time that we are not alone. Jesus resides within every believer through the Holy Spirit. We have power from above. And the Word of God to strengthen us. As well as the very angels of God watching over every step in our life.

Do not fear. Do not doubt. And do not dread. We are not as those who have no hope in this world but our hopes are fixed in the very real Person of Jesus, Our Savior lives! And we live by His Spirit and Power at work within us!

Prayer: Dear Lord, life throws many roadblocks in our path. Help us to never get so focused upon the roadblocks that we fail to see You are our guide through, around, and over the roadblocks that come our way. Amen.

Too Much Stuff?

“John answered, ‘Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same’” Luke 3:11

    “One of the best benefits of embracing a minimalist lifestyle is there’s less stress. You don’t have debt hanging over your head. There’s less hurry to make more money to buy the next thing coming out. Less stress leads to a more healthy lifestyle.” –Pastor Joshua Becker

    It is amazing how much larger your house seems with less needless things piled around it.

    I believed the hard part about removing clutter would be letting go of things. Yet it was on one of our first trips to Goodwill that I realized the hard part was contemplating just how much money I had wasted over the years on the unnecessary clutter.

    We clutter up our lives with many needless things. We worry too much, we stress too much, and let our imaginations get filled with fear of things that never come to pass. The corners of our minds get crowded with dread, doubt, and discouragement. We need mental and emotional house cleaning.

    We must constantly weigh the benefits of the things we bring into our lives, and the content with which we fill up our lives. It is easy to spot needless worry and fear. Fear-producing programs on television, or the people around us who bring about useless discouragement and negativity. Yet it can be very hard to discipline ourselves away from activities or associations that clutter our lives and draw down our already limited resources. Yet sometimes less is more.

    I challenge you to consider the many things in your life that are taking up your energy, your necessary resources. How much clutter can you remove to make your life better?

    Prayer: Dear Lord, we fill our lives with needless things, help us to instead fill ourselves with You! Amen.

When Small Things Add Up

“Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?” Zechariah 4:10

    I hadn’t given much thought to small change–those quarters and nickels, dimes and pennies. I just toss my pocket change into a plastic jug beside my bed. But I got curious about how much change was in that jug, so I took it to a Coinstar machine to cash it in. I was surprised when it added up to a considerable amount of money.

    Lots of little things in our lives can add up to much bigger things, both good and bad.

    Continued bickering can add up to serious marriage issues. Endless griping and complaining can lead us into discouragement.

    Contrariwise, freely handing out compliments can encourage others and strengthen relationships. Finding the glass half full instead of half empty can lead to a positive outlook on life.

    Those who suffer affliction have often discovered that small things can add up to good or bad outcomes. Too many health issues flaring at once can lead to serious challenges for us. Too much negativity can quickly pull us down, weakening us further. Yet when one or more of our ailments improve, or when something positive enters our lives, it can drastically improve our situation.

    I don’t want to overlook the small things in life, whether good or bad. I don’t want to take the small blessings for granted. Nor do I want continued complaining and griping to add up and turn me sour or bitter.

   No longer do I take pocket change for granted. I know what it can add up to. Neither do I want to take any blessings for granted, for they can add up to a very blessed life.

    Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the large and small blessings in life. Help us to appreciate every blessing. Amen.

Pleasing God Instead Of People

On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 1 Thess. 2:4

There is a Western Movie that I have long forgotten the title of, but I remember one particular scene. A fellow rides up and comes across a large number of gray soldiers. It is the time of the American Civil war, and this man who comes upon the soldiers begins to praise the South and the Confederacy thinking it will be pleasing to them. Only when the soldiers begin to shake off the gray trail dust does he discover his mistake. Under all that gray dust covering are soldiers dressed in blue uniforms. They are Federal Union Soldiers and not Confederates as he incorrectly assumed.

We make a mistake when we try to be people pleasers rather than seeking what pleases God instead. Those two things do not always align. Some action or activity may be acceptable and approved by those around us, even by some Christians, yet we know in our hearts and consciences that the Lord does not approve of it.

In words, actions, and even in our thoughts we can become misaligned with the will of God. We need to examine our hearts and minds to be sure we are in alignment with God’s will, pleasing Him, even if it causes displeasure to those around us.

In the southern part of the USA there is a thing called “Southern Hospitality”. It is very real. Having grown up around lots of older southern people and southern relatives, it is unthinkable to them to displease a guest, or make their guest uncomfortable in any way. This phenomena is not carried out in other portions of the USA where you may find just the opposite attitude to any given situation. But Southern Hospitality is a kind of “given grace” even when the guests are themselves inconsiderate and displeasing in many ways.

People pleasing comes naturally to some people, and it is a natural reaction to want to be kind and friendly toward everyone. But that does not mean we should ever “just go along” with anyone or every sort of socially aaccepted actions and behavior. No, not when those actions take us outside of God’s Will for our lives and when such actions can destroy our witness for Christ.

We must remain steadfast in our allegiance and adherence to Jesus Christ no matter what others might expect of us. When we can please others and remain in good standing with Jesus that is a wonderful thing. But when others would pull us away, or our own desire to please others could lead us astray from Jesus, it is time to take our eyes off of others and fix them securely upon our Risen Lord instead.

Life presents us with many challenges. One of those challenges is to avoid always “going along with the crowd”. For that crowd may be diametrically opposed to God’s Will for our lives and their own lives. We who have committed ourselves to Jesus cannot maintain a Dual Allegiance. You cannot serve Two Masters.

Prayer: Dear Lord, it is difficult to withstand the ire of the crowd, to displease others. Yet let us never side with others against You or Your Will for our lives. Amen.

Do You Appear Well?

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart'” 1 Samuel 16:7

    Years ago I had to part ways with my pickup truck. On the outside it looked like a beautiful red truck. It was an older model but it looked nice. Yet beneath the truck the brake lines and other areas were badly corroded and needed replacing. It appeared to be in great shape on the outside, but was actually in terrible shape.

    Many of us are like my old truck. We put on a nice suit of clothes, get a new haircut, look reasonably healthy and in good shape from our appearance, yet beneath the facade, we too are worn out, diseased, aging. We are in bad shape beneath the facade.

    Like a vehicle in constant need of repairs and expensive to keep on the road, we face constant challenges just to maintain a functioning body. Sometimes we limp along with a body that simply is not in good running condition despite our best efforts.

    Yet we are worth far more than a favorite vehicle. God treasures us much more than material items. We are made in the image of our Creator. Nevertheless, I think sometimes we must admit and adjust to the reality that we are wearing out, our health is much worse than it seems with our nice clothes and outward appearance. The “paint” cannot hide the fact that we have very real illnesses and internal challenges that must be dealt with and faced every day.

   Be honest with others about your challenging condition, whether physical, mental-emotional, or spiritual. We can only fool people so long by the way things appear on the outside.

    Prayer: Dear Lord, accepting the reality of our health condition is difficult. We can often appear well on the outside. But help us always to be honest with ourselves and others regarding our true condition. Amen.

Adjusting To The Changes In Life

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” Hebrews 13:8

    During the early years of my illness it seemed to me that “change” was always a bad word. My illnesses have forced so many adjustments into my life that “change” took on negative connotations. The forced adjustments were often painful.

    Yet over the years I have learned that if I adjust myself mentally to the adjustments forced upon me by my health issues, the frustration and anger and my general misery decreases.

    New issues creep up, and changes in circumstances frequently occur. It seems we are always adjusting our lives in one way or another due to change.

    Yet with time we gain experience, and our increasing string of experiences add up. If you have been a Christian for very long you have seen Jesus help you through many trials and difficulties. Remembering those experiences can take away or lessen the fear of adjusting our lives required by the vicissitudes of life.

    We can become discouraged and distraught by changes brought on by declining health or ill fortune. Continually declining circumstances can force an endless list of adjustments that tests us to our core. For many people, Jesus is the “last resort” in a crisis, but I believe we need Him each and every day through the ongoing adjustments we must endure, and with time, that we must accept.

    While we should never accept defeat, we must often adjust to the reality of our difficulties. I think it takes courage to be both hopeful and realistic. We need wisdom from God, courage through His Spirit, and comfort from knowing our Lord is always with us no matter what life throws at us. Trust Him, believe in Him, and He will help you to make the necessary adjustments.

    Prayer: Dear Lord, we struggle so often with the many things required by changing circumstances. Give us healing, wisdom, and strength for the adjustments we must make. Amen.

We All Need God

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Struggling with afflictions for many years has caused me to wonder if difficulties make it easier or more difficult to believe in God. I am arriving at the idea that it does neither. At first, even unbelievers might be moved to pray, asking God to remove their afflictions. Yet without relief from their affliction quickly arriving, I think it is just as easy for them to blame God for unanswered prayer or begin “railing at the heavens” for their ill luck.

 

Yet faith and belief in Jesus can drive a believer closer to the God of Heaven through affliction. If we develop a habit of digging deeper into God the harder affliction befalls us, then nothing is impossible for the man or woman of God to endure through Christ. How else are we to explain martyrs like Stephen in the Book of Acts who was stoned to death while reflecting the light of Christ through his final moments? How do we explain untold numbers of believers throughout history who have died for their testimony about Jesus and God’s faithfulness?

Faith does not always free us of our afflictions, but it can carry us through them to the Lord who has empathy for us. For He has Himself suffered very much on this earth.

Whether healthy or ill, in good fortune or great need, you need God. And He is not an excuse for your misfortunes nor to blame in your suffering. 

We need Jesus. Everyone needs Jesus. Circumstances have nothing to do with it. Only a willing heart is necessary to believe in God whether young or old, infirm or in blessed health. You need God. We all do.

Prayer: Dear Lord, how we all need You. Through good times and bad, in sickness in health, from here to eternity. Amen.

The Cricket And Spider

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

I noticed a cricket jumping around beside my outside doorway. He jumped onto a spider’s web and as fast as lightning a spider leapt out, grabbed him, and then disappeared. I stood there in shock as it happened so quickly and there was no sign of the cricket or spider, but I noticed a tunnel at the back of the web where the spider had disappeared with its prey.

Scripture warns us to be wary of our arch enemy. The devil seeks to destroy the testimony and the lives of Christians. Our enemy is ever on the prowl watching for a time when we are being careless or foolish so he can pounce.

How do we stay alert? First we realize the devil is not the caricature red devil with a pointed tail and horns. Neither is he non-existent. Even in churches you will seldom hear Satan mentioned. Yet our enemy is real and we need to stay alert and wary so we do not fall into his trap.

We can be vigilant by remaining strong in our prayer life and meditating upon scripture. We can also realize that becoming a Christian does not make us immune to sin. If we think we are invulnerable to temptation we set ourselves up for the enemy.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ Matthew 6:13

We are led into temptation and risk danger when we begin to allow “little sins” into our heart and life. Small steps toward darkness can allow our capture by sin just as that unwise cricket hopped right onto the spider’s web.

Jesus taught us to pray that we do not fall into temptation and that we would be delivered from Satan’s power. Our Lord would not have emphasized this if it were not important to both pray about and to be reminded of this real danger.

Brothers and Sisters, there are many dangers in this world, but nothing is as dangerous as falling into the trap of the enemy. He is not focused on trapping unbelievers, for he already has them in his web. No, he is out to get Christians any way he can, even if it is through destroying our testimony by falling into sin through foolishness. Let us be both wise and wary. And let us always be on our guard and strengthened through prayer and God’s word to avoid sin and the enemy trap.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we are foolish in many ways, but help us not to be so foolish that we step into the trap of the enemy. Amen.

Beneath The Waves Of Affliction

“I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me” Psalm 69:2

    It surprises me that when I am barely treading water, merely keeping afloat, a new wave difficulty, worsening illness, new problems rise up to sink me. By now it should not surprise me, but often I am left shaking my head in disbelief that things could, and just did, get worse.

    What happens when we are sunk beneath the depths because of our afflictions? We need a serious infusion of God’s intervention from above to save us. And the good news is that He does save us. Sometimes it is not as quickly as we might like, but He lifts us above the flood.

    At times the “what ifs” torment me, bringing to mind the worst case scenarios for every problem and challenge. During those times history lessons are extremely helpful. I start counting and remembering the numerous times that God saved me from the flood in the past.

    Sometimes the waves come crashing quickly upon us and we start sinking. Then things can look very grim, and we begin panicking and letting fear drive us and cloud our thinking. But what we need to do is call upon the Lord, ask Him to deliver us from our fears, and to save us from our flooding circumstances.

    The enemy is an artist, he can paint tremendous pictures of doom, failure, and defeat. But these worst case scenarios are not honest images. If the worst thing that can happen in any situation is that we die and go on to be with Jesus–that is no bad thing. But most of the time Jesus has more for us to do, and we need to picture our Lord coming to our rescue. We must stop allowing the negative waves that come our way turn into mental tsunamis.

    Prayer: Dear Lord, the waves are rising, the wind is howling, deliver us, restore us, and bring us peace. Amen.

God Has A Better Plan

“Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding” Proverbs 3:13

    I cannot tell you how many times I have made plans, have thought I was on the right course in some particular matter, and have been knocked off of course. Yet I would eventually see that the Lord had a better way planned.

    Accepting the bumps in the road, adjusting our plans, and being always prepared for changes–this is the way of life. You might be making progress, gaining momentum, and then suddenly find the road blocked, or twisting and turning in some new direction.

    It can be helpful to remember when our plans are laid waste that the Lord often has a better plan. Remembering times in the past when our plans were shredded before our eyes, and yet discovering the Lord had a much better way forward, this can help us when our hopes are disappointed.

    Just recently I thought I had finally found a proper course for dealing with one of my particular ailments, only to have to admit the treatment was a dismal failure.

    At such times we can cave in to defeat, or ask God for a new plan. Often we discover His plan is much better. And so it was in my case. If I could have seen it beforehand, I would have rejoiced that His way was better. But that is what faith is for, believing in Him and trusting Him even when we can’t see the way ahead.

    Maybe your well laid plans, or a particular treatment for illness has come up short, perhaps it is time to ask God if He has a better plan, and be watchful for when He opens new doors, brings new ideas, and shows us the way forward.

    Prayer: Dear Lord, help us not to become discouraged when our plans fall apart, but to look up and watch and wait for Your plan. Amen.

HALT Method

he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

    for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3

The HALT Method was developed for addicts to help them in recovery to be mindful of when they were the most vulnerable to setbacks. 

   

HALT is an acronym that stands for: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired. It points to the realisation that when one is in such a state they are more vulnerable, and likely to make bad decisions.

Keeping in mind this acronym is important for more of us than addicts. I have long practiced being wary and on guard when I am at my weakest. Being particularly mindful during certain seasons of the year when I know my physical health is at its worst. Yet when one suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that last word in HALT “tired” is a constant. I once told my doctor that I wake up exhausted, am exhausted all day, then go to bed exhausted at night. Keeping HALT in mind is always a good idea for me. But I know I am not alone. Anger may be your challenge, or loneliness, and everyone is tired and hungry at some point on a weekly, often daily basis.

Strengthen the feeble hands,

    steady the knees that give way;

 say to those with fearful hearts,

    “Be strong, do not fear; Isaiah 35:3-4a

No matter how strong and healthy you might be, you need the Lord to keep you on the right path and out of trouble and temptation. And when you are weak, when something has left you feeling vulnerable and unable to cope, you need the Lord even more at such times.

Thankfully we have an Advocate in heaven who not only helps us at our best times, but also when any weakness leaves us vulnerable. Call upon the Lord to strengthen you, when you need Him, and even when you think you don’t.

Prayer: Dear Lord, weakness assails us in many ways at various times of our lives. Help us to remain strong through Your strength and Spirit working in and through us. Amen.

Cut By The Words Of Others?

 See what they spew from their mouths—

    the words from their lips are sharp as swords,

    and they think, “Who can hear us?” Psalm 59::7

    Sharp, cutting words can wound us deeply. And the deepest wounds often come from those we love and care about. When we are already stricken from illness or other afflictions, and a sharp tongue stabs us through the heart, we can be brought very low.

    I don't ever want to hurt someone through a careless word or a cutting remark. Words can wound deeper than sharp knives and sometimes do lasting damage to relationships. We must set a guard over our lips, and as tempting as it may be, avoid responding in kind to sharp words. Battling with words can only end in a deadly verbal duel that has no winners.

    I'm usually pretty good at not being easily offended, but sometimes it is as if my illness pulls back the shield protecting my heart and harsh words cut straight through to my core. When I'm feeling better, I can brush aside the nonsense. But when I'm at my weakest, I can be as vulnerable as anyone, maybe even more so because of affliction.

    We will all face harsh words from those around us, perhaps even from those we care about deeply. When stung by pointed words from others, we must admit our pain, take it to the Lord and give it to Him, and also trust Him to right any wrongs done to us. Keep in mind that you too have hurt others by your words, and forgiveness is needed all around.

    Perhaps stinging words have recently cut you to the heart. There is no use pretending it doesn't hurt. You need to take that pain to Jesus, let go of it, and trust Him with it. Sometimes you can let the person who hurt you know how you feel, but often confrontation makes things worse. You can let such pain remind you to be more graceful in your words to others. You can pray, forgive, and let your pain go. Be quick to overlook and forgive cutting words that strike at you.

    Prayer: Dear Lord, the words of others can bring us great pain. Please heal our wounds, and restore our soul. Amen.

Do You Know His Voice?

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” John 10:27

    Quite often I can tell who has called my wife on the phone by the tone of her voice when she answers them. I can often tell by the way she says: “Hello.” After she takes a quick glance at the caller’s name on her smart phone.

    We need to become sensitive to our Master’s voice. The best way to do that is to read and know His words from the Bible. Jesus will never say or tell you to do anything contrary to His words in the Holy Bible.

    The Lord will encourage us, guide us, nudge us in the right direction, and even warn us when we are getting off course. He does this directly from His Holy Word as we read it, and by preaching and teaching, and sometimes by the advice from friends and family. The Lord has also equipped us with His Holy Spirit. He is the One who can give us insight and guidance from day to day.

    We need to know the Lord’s voice, and we need to become sensitive to the guidance of His Holy Spirit within us. Everyone needs such guidance. Those of us with chronic illnesses and afflictions especially need insight as we avoid the pitfalls that can make our illnesses worse. Likewise, we must be sensitive to anything that can help or improve our condition.

    Read God’s word, listen to preaching and teaching, be open to good advice from friends and family, and open your spiritual ears to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit.

    Prayer: Dear Lord, each and every day we need Your guidance and help. Hear our prayers, and give us wisdom and constant guidance. Amen.

Like A Tree Growing In The Sonlight

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon” Psalm 92:12

    If you walk through a wooded area and look at the trees you will see the beauty of God’s creation. The trees are all shapes and sizes, from the seedling just beginning to grow, to the towering oaks and maples.

    One thing that is common with trees is that they stretch toward heaven, seeking the sunlight that helps them to grow. Trees will lean, reach, and stretch in every way possible seeking that all important sunlight.

    Sometimes it seems we are not growing, not moving forward, not accomplishing much of anything. We get caught up in unimportant activities that seem all important at the time. We waste time fretting and worrying uselessly. Perhaps health issues get in the way of accomplishments. But if we are determined, nothing can stop us from moving closer to God.

    We too can grow by basking in the “Sonlight”. We may feel stuck in place, or not moving around much. However, as the light of God’s Son shines down upon us, we grow spiritually, we can stretch our spiritual branches toward heaven by praising, praying, and learning about the Light that makes us grow.

    Many healthy people are busy, rushing around, working themselves to death, hardly slowing down enough to appreciate Jesus. They are too often neglecting the Light of God’s Son. For those who have limited mobility, by looking to Jesus we can grow up spiritually even when we are sitting still. Indeed, I think we grow best when we are sitting at the feet of Jesus, basking in the light of His love.

    When it seems you are not accomplishing anything in your life, why not focus on Jesus, pray, read and listen to His word, develop a closer relationship with Him. Grow in His grace and love, rising up in your spiritual life. Live in the Sonlight.

    Prayer: Dear Lord, even when we are sitting still, help us to grow spiritually. Amen.

Love, Faithfulness, And Disability

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

    When I see silly people who think that love is just an emotional high to ride upon, a mere feeling like a drug to cheer you up, or has something to do with little fat cherubs shooting arrows–I groan inside.

    Love is not pretty, it is not easy, it has nothing to do with romance novels. True love is hard as steel, as yielding as a young sapling in a storm, and is overflowing with a goodness that can come only from God.

    When the feelings are gone, when things get rough, and when expectations are not met, many marriage partners leave. It takes God, commitment, and a love from above to hold two people together in marriage when one of them is very ill.

    And we should not be ignorant of the costs to the spouse who is well. When they are faithful in spite of the hardships and challenges and difficulties involved in a marriage with a disabled spouse, they deserve much credit for their faithfulness. God must smile as He sees such true love at work.

    My heart breaks for those who have lost loved ones that could not or would not bear the strain of illness in their marriage. Unrealistic expectations can produce such results. Yet a deep, abiding love from God that seals two people in the covenant of marriage can create an unbreakable bond. But a foundation of married love that is not built rock solid upon Christ will not be strong enough to hold fast in hard times.

    Maybe you have lost a marriage partner because of your disability. Ask the Lord to help you let go of any bitterness or resentment, and to fill that void instead with His abiding, everlasting love.

    Prayer: Dear Lord, bless those who have remained faithful in sickness, and give them strength to continue being faithful in true love. Amen.