A Word of Encouragement

I wanted to provide some words of encouragement to all of you who are suffering & healing from illness......whether you are suffering in an acute season or long term.

First & foremost, I am so sorry. There are never right words but, I am really genuinely sorry. I don't even know you but, to know you are struggling w/ an illness makes me want to reach out & hug you.

I also want to say, what an AMAZING opportunity for you! Say what?!?! Yes, I said opportunity. God uses 'all things' for our good. If He is allowing it in your life? It IS for your GOOD!!! So, this is an exciting time even though it feels anything but.

Secondly, I want to encourage you to keep pushing forward no matter what. If you are the only one left standing on the road to healing, keep going. There is a quote that really resonates with me 'She is perseverance personified but, she's exhausted. My God, she is is exhausted'. - H.J. Anderson. Can you relate? If so, don't give up....exhausted or not.

I don't know why God has allowed this trial in any of your lives but, He has. Do you know Him? Do you know God? Have you given your life to Him? Because I tell you what.....if I would not have given my life to Him when I got sick, I would not have made it through. No way. I wouldn't make it through one day without Him actually.

If we look at the world & suffering, the advice for how to manage through the trial & move forward is the complete opposite from how God says to move forward. It's this startling opposition - the world's instructions vs. God's.

Let's just focus on what God says:

Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world- John 16:33.

OK, so, we know that trials do not surprise Him. Matter of fact, he said we will endure MANY trials AND sorrows.

Next, He tells us 'Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind - 1 Peter 3:8.

So, I am to sympathize & empathize with your suffering & sorrows. And you, with mine. If you are struggling w/ any illness at all, I strongly encourage you to find someone who you can serve whether it be through prayer or baking or sending a word of encouragement. The world would say to 'focus on yourself' but, God is saying to remain in unity with a tender heart.......so extend a hand, get into community even if that means having a cup of tea in your home and love those around you. You are not the only one being refined through your suffering, those around you are too.

God is fully capable of healing you when He deems fit whether that is while you are on this earth or when His kingdom comes. 'Now unto to Him who is ABLE to do FAR MORE abundantly than ALL that we ask or THINK, according to the power at work WITHIN us, to Him be the glory in the church & in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever - Ephesians 3:20-21.

I encourage you to live in utter expectation of His goodness. I encourage you to open a bible to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and do what He says to do.

I want to encourage you to focus on HIM vs. your trial. I know how impossible that seems so, you are going to need His help to do that....His strength. Simply ask Him for it. We have His FULL attention.

I know this trial wouldn't seem to be a reason to celebrate but IT IS. So unfathomable right? BUT....if you really truly trust Him.....I mean, if you are rooted in Him, you will know that if He is allowing your suffering, it's a part of His plan.

Stay close to Him. Stay very close to those who are encouraging, supportive & uplifting. And set all of the rest aside.

I believe those of you who are really committed to healing and not giving up......I believe you are going to make it!!!! And 'making it' looks differently for all of us healing. Making it may be glorifying Him in sickness the rest of your life on earth, for some. And for others, making it may mean healing and going back to help save the lives of others in the trenches. Only He knows where your trial leads.

This breath of life isn't even about us....it's about Him. I promise you that if you put 100% of your focus on Him, you'll be blown away.

Ahhh, I cannot wait to hear all of your stories. I have heard so many & what an honor to listen!

If and when you need a pep talk, I am here to give you one. My very dear brother (brother in Christ) told me 'Whatever you do, do NOT GIVE UP'. Never settle in and say 'OK, well, nothing has worked so far so, I quit'. No. You keep going. You keep working hard. You keep trusting God.

I highly recommend reading this article.

The blog/article is SUCH an encouragement to me & I imagine it will be to you too!

All my love.