“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.” 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NLT)
I haven’t felt much like writing these past few days.
The health challenges I’m currently facing have taken more out of me than I expected. There are good days—and then there are days like today, when I find myself shaking and battling waves of nausea.
Last night, Becky and I had one of those long, deep conversations that reminds you just how much you love each other. In the middle of that conversation, she looked at me and said, “I’m worried that you are giving up.”
That caught my attention.
Recently, a close friend called me with a similar concern. He asked, “You’ll tell me if you’re struggling with depression, won’t you?”
When people who love you begin to ask those kinds of questions, it makes you stop and take an honest look inside.
This has been a long recovery.
And if I’m being transparent, I’ve wrestled at times with discouragement… even some shame over my physical weakness and appearance during this season.
But giving up?
No way.
I will not give up. I will not give in.
In seasons like this, I find myself looking more intentionally for the invisible hand of God at work in my life. Over 70 years—and through nearly 50 major surgeries God has never let go of me. He has sustained my heart, guarded my peace, and most importantly, kept my family, and the people I have served as a pastor. I’m smiling as I remember His invisible hand at work in the lives of people I love.
I had hoped I would be fully recovered by now.
At a recent appointment, my surgeon patiently listened, answered my questions, and gently reminded me: “You’ve been through two massive surgeries, followed by a gallbladder attack. You will get better. You just need to be patient.”
Patient. That word isn’t always easy to embrace and live out. But it is often where God does some of His deepest work.
And that brings me back to Paul’s words, “God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.” You don’t have to be fully healed to begin offering comfort. Sometimes, the most powerful comfort we give comes while we are still walking through the struggle ourselves.
So today, if you’re in a hard place…
If your recovery is taking longer than you expected…
If your strength isn’t what it used to be…
You are not alone.
God has not let go of you.
And even in this moment, He is not only comforting you, He is preparing you to be a source of comfort to someone else.
And that gives this season purpose.
Growthwork
- Focus on Scripture daily.
- Pray the Psalms that express your worries.
- Daily make an affirmation aloud. Your faith and words will have a positive impact on your health.
- Exercise outside.
- Have a close friend and confidant that will sit you, listen to you without interrupting you, and pray with you.
Here is a portion of a prayer written by Bruce Wilkinson.
Lord, I want to be healed. I want to be completely whole. So I ask for Your healing hand with my whole heart. Yet, Lord, if You have chosen to allow this infirmity for whatever reason, give me the grace to manage it well. Let it not negatively impact my relationships; rather, let it improve them. Let it not negatively impact my attitudes, work, or purpose; rather, let it give them depth and richness. Let this season be my teacher and guide, strengthening my soul and drawing me closer to You. I cannot control what my body does and how it responds to treatments or approaches, but I can control what my mind thinks; and I choose to think thoughts of life, wholeness, health, and joy. I am whole in Christ. In His name, amen.
Bruce Wilkinson and Heather Hair, Prayers for Freedom over Worry and Anxiety: Freedom Prayers (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2017), 78.
Peace!