“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plan to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

PAIN AND SUFFERING

Last week my sister-in-law, Sallie, came home from rehab after her fifth back surgery. For most of her life, she had no answers for her health difficulties. Finally, at age fifty, they discovered Celiac Disease. Little was known about Celiac then, and even the doctors were mostly uneducated about it.

When you have Celiac Disease and live for fifty years eating gluten, your body pays the price. Imagine fifty years of malnutrition without knowing it, causing the bones of a ninety-year-old — brittle and crumbling. The doctors linked my sister-in-law’s Celiac Disease with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis, which both her mother and grandmother suffered from.

I remember my mother-in-law lying in bed, moaning. At times, it sounded like rhythmic chanting, and I wondered, if she was on pain meds and resting, why must she moan? Why didn’t she pray? That’s when Sallie gently shared with me that when you live in constant pain, it sometimes gets the best of you, and you do other things to take your mind off it.

I can’t recall how many years my husband’s mother suffered—ten to fifteen, I guess. The Rheumatoid Arthritis came on suddenly, with a vengeance, and spread throughout her body. As time passed, her hands gnarled, her body stooped, her knees swelled, and eventually, it became too painful for her to walk.

I saw her independent spirit deal first with questions, anger, and finally, acceptance. Her spirit grew sweeter, and she became even more thankful for the life God had given her.

I do not understand living with constant pain and suffering. What I do know is that God has recently brought more people into my life to help me understand it with greater compassion. It isn’t that I had no compassion, but to see women praise God in the midst of pain and suffering, and be at peace in their most excruciating times, has made me wonder if they have some special grace from God that I do not.

 

SHINING GOD’S LIGHT IN THE MIDST OF PAIN AND SUFFERING

 

Sallie shared information about her surgery with family then waited quietly, focusing on what God was doing in her life, even in the midst of one more surgery. Telling others could have generated more sympathy, but at what cost? Then her focus might have shifted inward instead of staying quietly focused on God.

Whatever happens in Sallie’s life is in God’s hands. She believes He is sufficient always, and though her physical problems could often shift the focus back to herself, she chooses not to let it.

No matter what we go through in life, there are people around us who need to see the light of Christ shining through us, and some need the life hope we have in us that they know nothing about.

Sallie’s recovery included a few complications, yet she still continued to reach out to others around her daily, showing them compassion and thankfulness, and they saw the hint of God in her. That was worth all her pain.

When we trust God,” Sallie said, “it’s not about us. He invited this into my life.”

Yellow Bubbles
Diane McElwain

Diane McElwain

Diane is the mom of six and Grandma of many. She enjoys spending time with family at the farm, woods, ballgames, or home. When she became a pastor’s wife, her awkward self  learned to open up to all kinds of people. Diane's joy is to keep a sharp eye out – traveling, hiking, and searching for glory in everyday life. She finds things we think common and ordinary, are instead miraculous blessings from the Creator designed to give us hope.

Prayers for Caregivers

Lord, thank You for the ministry of caregiving. Help me be flexible, kind, and intentional (especially when I'm weary) as I act as Your hands and feet. Amen.

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