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.