I've been praying for pain, I know it sounds crazy, but I've been in pain a while now and still haven't been able to walk through the pain with joy. So, I've been praying for it, praying for it to continue while those who love me pray for it to cease. Don't get me wrong, I want to feel relief, I want to be able to run with my kids, clean my house, kneel in prayer, and weed my garden without having to take a pain pill, truly I do. But more than that I want joy! Real, true, joy.
I am a happy person, the Lord has given me so much, I have more to be thankful for then I have to lament. I also have joy, true joy, until the pain comes. Then something happens, it's like I can't control the way I am feeling and just lash out and find myself walking around in a pile of self pity. That is NOT joy.
I have written in the past about my weakness and HIS strength, but it is a lesson hard learned and I believe joy goes right along with resting in HIS strength. I have been praying specifically the Lord would teach me how to have joy through the pain and that the pain would be present until I have begun to learn the lesson and until I have an appointment with an orthopedic (appt is in the works).
Last night as I tossed and turned unable to sleep well, the Lord brought it to my heart that he is working, through the pain, he is working. This morning I was reading Spurgeon's Morning and Evening and it was about my weakness and HIS strength. Amazing, right?
This is what Spurgeon had to say this morning:
"Are you mourning over your own weakness? Take courage, for there must be a consciousness of weakness before the Lord will give thee victory. Your emptiness is but the preparation for your being filled, and your casting down is but making ready for your lifting up."
So, pray with me this week, that I will find joy in HIM and walk in his strength as I try to accede to my own weakness. May you too learn to have joy in HIM whatever pain you may face this week.
My dearest Dawn, what you have written is amazing. the words that were penned I need to apply with my own problems. thank you and God for them. love, Dad
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