When we are weak, we are strong

“Arthritis,” the doctor said with a sympathetic look.

“I’m sorry,” I said with a nervous laugh. “I thought you said I have arthritis.”

“I did,” she said.

Wait. Arthritis? That is something that only happens to people (insert cough here) older than me. This can’t be the right diagnosis. Maybe I twisted my knee and need to wear a brace for a few weeks. Then I will be good as new.

But the doctor was right. I have arthritis in my knee. And it hurts. I always pictured arthritis to be a dull pain in the muscles of the body. Nope. It’s actually pain coming from the joints. And it’s painful. Did I mention that?

The doctor explained that there is not much that can be done. The pain will come and go. It can could be triggered with changes in the weather, too much activity or not enough. It can also act up when sitting. Or standing. Or walking up stairs. Pretty much anytime.

I did some research and found an “Arthritis Index” on the Internet. It predicts pain levels that may be experienced based on the local weather.

I’m not sure how accurate this tool is but it’s an interesting concept.

What if we had a “life indicator” that would tell us when times of suffering will head our way? We could head those trials off and stop them in their tracks. No more worrying, only strategic planning to keep ourselves free from personal or physical pain.

Wouldn’t that be great?

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Well, no.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Paul was going through a season of affliction and asked God to take it away. But God did not.

There are two things we can learn from this:

It is through trials that we find God’s grace.
It is through trials that we learn to lean on God for his strength.

God’s grace and strength are what we need most.

Here are a few verses to help us when walking through personal or physical pain.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. – Romans 12:12 (NIV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. –Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

Following God’s path for your life

1 / 15 / 191 / 15 / 19

I stood before the automated soda fountain. It seemed simple enough. The machine’s instructions had me navigating the touchscreen with ease. Only a few simple clicks stood before me and my favorite soda.

But then something happened. My finger stopped mid-air, unwilling to press anymore buttons.

On the screen before me were logos of over one hundred different brands and flavored drinks to choose from. I didn’t realize that many existed.

I realized my choices were endless and began to rethink my decision. Should I choose something different? Maybe I would enjoy a drink I have never tried before? I became lost in a soda world full of choices.

I eventually decided on my favorite cola.

We make many decisions on a daily basis. No wonder we become overwhelmed sometimes.

What will I watch on television?
What’s for dinner?
Should I make dinner, order a pizza or go to a nice restaurant?
What shall I wear today?
What time shall I wake up in the morning?

These are just some of the small things we all have to decide every day.

There are also big, life-changing decisions.

Who will I marry?
How many children will we have?
Where shall I work?
Where will I live?

Decisions can sometimes be stressful and hard to make.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. – Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)

Luckily, we don’t have to become exhausted and confused with all of the choices we face. There are scriptures to help us.

Clear your mind

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Pray for wisdom

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. James 1:5 (NLT)

Isn’t it comforting to know we only need to ask God for wisdom, and He will provide?

Let God lead

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

God will never leave us in the dark. He is forever our guiding light.

Trust God

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30:21 (NLT)

God is always right beside us.

Fighting the spiritual battle

6 / 15 / 16

Have you ever noticed that when your relationship with God deepens, the enemy tries to take you down? That’s what happened to me his past week when I found myself in a spiritual battle.

I had been deepening my prayer life and relationship with God when out of nowhere, the enemy attacked me with his arrows of lies. He told me I am not a good wife, friend, sister and daughter. He tried to plant jealousy in my heart along with insecurity, fear and doubt.

The arrows flew fast and hard. “You’re overweight,” he said. “You were not kind enough to your husband yesterday,” he continued.

One after another, the arrows headed straight for me. I tried to dodge them but they came faster. My mind clouded and I could not think rationally. The walls of his lies were closing in. I could see no end to this attack.

Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against the devil’s schemes.

Priscilla Shirer says in her book Fervent, “In spiritual warfare, as we detect enemy activity and deploy the various pieces of armor, our prayers need to be fervent and specific, strategic and personal, tied to the specific needs arising at the specific occasion.”

I opened my Bible and read. I prayed. I recited scripture out loud for the enemy to hear. With my armor on, I strategically prayed to destroy the enemy’s plans. Those arrows of lies quickly fell to the ground – useless to do any harm.

This battle with the enemy is not a one-time thing – it’s lifelong. He wants me stuck in a cycle of fear and insecurity and to keep me from accomplishing the plans God has for me.

1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)

But thanks be to God. He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I don’t have to fear though. I have already been given victory through the blood of Jesus Christ who died on the cross for me – for you.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)

The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

And I don’t have to fight this battle alone. I have access to the one who is greater than the enemy. And so do you.

Where the dark valley meets Jesus

4 / 26 / 16

When I pray, you answer me and encourage me by giving me the strength I need.
Psalm 138: 3 (TLB)

Recently, my family and I moved my mom into a nursing home. She suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and can no longer take care of herself.

Mom is a roamer. She cannot sit still and is constantly walking. I visit her often, and we spend our time together walking the halls of her new home. Because she can no longer form words, we walk in silence. Occasionally she will reach for my hand and at other times, I put my arm protectively around her.

These visits are emotionally hard, especially when it’s time for me to leave. I lean down to give her a kiss and tell her goodbye. She nods her head, turns and walks away.

As I leave the building, I turn to make sure she is not watching me. It’s easier this way. I then walk to my car where I break down in tears.

She has been in her new environment for a month now. I thought it would get easier, but it doesn’t. The struggle gets harder with each visit.

A few nights ago, I decided not to visit mom. I couldn’t bear the pain of leaving her again. But God nudged me, and I obediently went.

That night, we took the same silent walk through the halls, but when it was time for me to leave, mom did something different. Instead of walking away after saying our goodbyes, she walked with me to the door. She sat in a chair and watch me leave.

Did she think I was abandoning her? I can only hope she understands why it has to be this way.

Outside, I turned to see her in the window. Her face was expressionless as she stared at nothing. It was then the tears came, and my heart exploded in pain.

I ran to my car in frustration. I was angry and scared. All I wanted to do was run back inside and take mom home with me. But I knew that was not the best option for mom.

Instead, in this dark and heartbreaking moment, I reached out to Jesus. He came to me that night with open hands, and I gave him my frustration and anger over the present and my fear of the future.

And when I was done, he gave me something in return – peace.

Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way. Psalm 23: 4 (TLB)

Since that night, mom has not been miraculously healed and our situation has not changed. But I have God’s peace and assurance that he is walking through this trial with me. His strength will see me through it.

Seeing God in the storm

3 / 29 / 163 / 29 / 16

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

I sat beside my dad as he lay in a hospital bed in the critical care unit. I rested my head on the bed’s railing and held his hand in mine.

I thought back to a few days before when he told me about an upcoming fishing trip he was planning. He was excited to take this yearly trip that gave him rest and rejuvenated his mind and body.

Dad’s age has not stopped him from living an independent life while being the primary care giver to my mom who has Alzheimer’s disease.

I always knew that if something were to happen to dad, there would be tough decisions to be made about mom. She needs 24-hour care which myself and my siblings cannot provide.

The day dad went to the hospital, I did the hardest and toughest thing I’ve ever had to do. I moved mom to a nursing home.

For now, this is a temporary move . If dad recovers, he will continue to care for her. If not – well, I’m not ready to go there yet.

This heart-breaking choice haunts me. Mom, who has become the child in our relationship, now sleeps in an unfamiliar place surrounded by strangers. I asked her for forgiveness, but she did not understand my plea.

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring or if dad will recover. This dark valley I currently walk is filled with anxiety, stress and sadness. It is a place I walk knowing that life can change forever in the next moment.

If I were not in my shoes – if I were merely watching someone else’s life – I would feel sorry for them. I might even wonder where God is during all of this.

But I am not observing it. I am living it. And God is here with me.

Mom can no longer verbally communicate. The disease has taken that away from her. But God speaks through her. I see Him when her eyes light up at the sight of my dad and when she tenderly holds his hand in hers.

I see Him when dad tells me how much he loves me and when he makes me laugh even though he is in pain.

I see Him when mom reaches out her hand and puts it in mine.

I see Him when my husband manages our home in my absence.

I see Him in friends who reach out to make sure I am ok.

I see Him in my aunts who are acting in mom’s place to make sure I get enough rest.

And I see him in my siblings as we encourage and comfort each other.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4

With every step I take on this journey, God is constantly reminding me of his presence. He is holding me up and giving me the strength to walk.

And the best part is, He will never leave me.

Rooted in the Word of God

3 / 22 / 16

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. – Ephesians 3:17-18

Change can lead to happy occasions such as graduating from high school or having a baby.

It can also be bittersweet like saying goodbye to a loved one who is leaving home to pursue their calling from God.

Other changes make you stop and reflect on what was and what now is.

Recently my parents moved from the town they had lived in for more than twenty years. It’s the same town I call home even though I have not lived there in years.

On the day they moved, I experienced an emotional separation from this small and quiet town. I thought about the memories and the friends we made over the years – those friends who are still part of our lives today.

Until now, I returned every week to visit mom and dad. When I entered the city limits, I knew I was home. The sights and landmarks are as familiar to me as my family.

I love that I can walk into the grocery store and know all of the faces that greet me. And I love that I can sit in mom and dad’s backyard during the annual fair and visit with passersby.

Even though I no longer live there, it was comforting to know I could always go home to this place filled with many memories and still feel part of it.

When I moved away many years ago, I kept my roots planted there with mom and dad. It was my way of staying part of this wonderful town. But now that they are no longer there, what do I do with those roots?

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

Jeremiah has taught me that my hometown roots provide wonderful memories of family and friends that I will always cherish. But I need to focus on growing other roots that are much more important.

Roots are the part of a tree that grow downward into the soil. They keep the tree anchored so that it does not fall over in the wind and provide water and food. Without roots, a tree cannot survive.

God’s word is our root. The more we read His word, the deeper our roots will be planted. These roots provide spiritual food, sustain us in the storms of life and keep us strong when temptations come our way.

The author of this Psalm 1:3 compares us to a tree. Planted by the water, a tree’s thirst is quenched through its roots, keeping it healthy and always bearing fruit.

When we study the word of God, we are fed and nourished through our roots, keeping us healthy and always bearing fruit.