I
could not remember the last day without pain. A week of small trials, following
a prolonged period of physical pain and sleeplessness made me feel trapped, as
if the sun would never shine again.
When
a painful condition is unseen, others doubt and are quick to accuse. It is all
too frequent for people to condemn the sufferer rather than console. The widow
receives comfort for a while, and then life is expected to move on. Too often,
the innocent spouse receives as much judgment as the guilty. The surgical
patient receives more sympathy than the sufferer of an invisible disability.
A
bird perched upon a dead tree outside my window, singing as a blanket of fog
wrapped me in the silence of unrelenting hurt created a powerful picture. God
is as close in the throes of misery and sorrow, as in the sunshine, but it is
more difficult to run to Him when surrounded by blackness and thorns.
God
spoke to Job in the midst of the storm and to Elijah in a still small voice
after the tumult had passed. God answers when I call to Him. He does not leave
me alone in the dark, hopeless, and afraid. When it appears He has abandoned, God
whispers the comfort of His presence. I only have to sit still to hear. God rarely
shouts His answers. He prefers the quiet solitude of our hearts to speak His
most gracious words of comfort and peace. He desires me to lean my head on His
chest, leaving my burdens at His feet.
It
is not chance that Jesus was called the “Man of Sorrows.” He knows my own
unique pain. He will not leave me desolate. He will bring balm for my aching
soul as He sent the ravens to feed Elijah at Cherith, and angels to Jesus in
the wilderness. When the times of pain and darkness come, I must remember the times
God has given me songs in the night, adopted children in the midst of
infertility, certainty of heaven in the midst of crushing grief.
Look
for Him in the darkness. Call to Him from the fog of pain. He may not take away
the circumstances, but He is faithful to provide healing balm and restore singing
to an aching heart.
© Copyright
Norma Gail Thurston Holtman
May 21, 2015
About the author:
Norma
Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, set in Scotland and New Mexico released in April
2014. She has led weekly women’s Bible studies for 19 years. Her devotionals,
poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and
in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers,
FaithWriters, Romance Writers of America, and the New Mexico Christian
Novelists. She is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her
husband of 39 years. They have two adult children.
Connect with
Norma:
Book Links:
Barnes
& Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864?ean=9781941103173
Lighthouse
Publishing of the Carolinas Bookstore: http://store.lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/
Thank you for that sweet reminder of God's presence amidst suffering. Most times it is when my mind is clouded with emotional pain, doubt and fear that I am slow to reach for the Lord. That kind of pain seems to creep in subtly, inhibiting self-awareness. Your post speaks to those times in my life when I'm inwardly suffering and unable to communicate it to those close to me. The Lord knows and is forever faithful.. Thank you, Norma. Blessings to you always! Terrill (Rosado)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your faithful encouragement, Terrill! God never forsakes us, even in the most difficult of times.
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful devotion. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely devotion! Thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteFaithful. Always.
ReplyDeleteThinking of rom 5.3 -
Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.
and
Habakkuk 3:19 The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!
~ Blessings from another who suffers...