I laid in the bed and cried yesterday. It wasn’t over the cancer (which could easily make me be a blubbering idiot, and at times seems to have caused me to be certifiable. Not that I wasn’t on my way before I became ill).
It wasn’t over the heart stent (the doctor assures me I’m good to go). It wasn’t the back pain (there are so many other issues that cloud over the fact that my back is only secure on one side). It wasn’t even the hip replacement (which continues to cause pain sitting, standing, and walking). The cry was over a rash. A Simple.Irritating.Rash. The rash just pushed me over the edge. It was just one more thing to add to my list…and I lost it!
Have you ever had one more thing added to your list that caused your blocks to tumble? One more thing that caused your temper to flare, your fist to double up, or your mouth to open and spew unkind words? Later you think, “Who was that?” “Where did that come from?” “Have I totally lost my mind, my decency, my faith?”
The times we find ourselves most vulnerable to Satan are times when we have pushed ourselves to the last ounce of energy, the last ounce of patience, and the last ounce of dependency on HIS spiritual presence. We left Christ behind and ventured forward on our own.
HE wants to be involved in everything in our lives. Every difficulty, every disagreement, every business decision, every relationship … every “rash” that sends us over the edge. I cannot make it through life without Him. Can you?
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 1 Peter 5:6-10 NASB.
Prayer request:
I sent this verse to my dear friend, Chuck Caldwell, who is suffering through that dreadful treatment of radiation and chemo. Please pray that the cancer will subside and total healing will take place in his body.
