Don't Waste Your Pain

An evidence that our will has been broken is that we begin to thank God for that which once seemed so bitter, knowing that His will is good and that, in His time and in His way, He is able to make the most bitter waters sweet.
-Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Thanking God in times of pain is so hard. How can we tell God, "Thank you for this cancer," or "Thank you for my child having leukemia." It is only after we reflect on the joyful suffering that Christ displayed on the cross that we get to understand what this suffering looks like. Christ chose to suffer and die on the cross for sinners like me. Hebrews 12:2b says, "for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross." Let this verse really sink in. The God who is Holy, omniscient, perfect, loving came down to this earth to live a sinless death and died a sinner's death, taking your place and mine, so we can have His righteousness! Glory be to God. He calls us to take up our cross daily and follow Him.

That means all that we go through, the good, the bad, the hard times, the sickness, etc...we take it all to Him. Bring it to His feet and give Him all the glory! People are watching our lives to see how we act when we suffer. Are you going to display Christ for them to see so He gets the glory? Or are you going to complain and grumble that God allowed you to be in pain? Whether we are in pain or not we are to give Him the glory! He deserves our praise!

Don't waste your Pain!

Because it is Mother's Day and because I had an amazing pain-free day today I am giving away a copy of my book. All you have to do is:
1. subscribe to my blog and tell me what you did for Mother's Day in the comments section.

for an extra entry once you are a subscriber:

2. post this on your facebook and let me know you did
3. blog about this on your blog and let me know you did
4. tweet about this giveaway and let me know you did

This giveaway is open to all US residents and will close 5/18/12 at midnight Pacific Time

Some of my favorite comforting verses are in the Psalms. Today has been a difficult day. Too much activity and my poor little head sometimes can't take it all. So Bible verses help as I try to commit them to memory. That way when I am in pain I can go right to the Scriptures I have memorized and know God's peace. Here is one I love:
Psalm 27:14-Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.

The reason I love this one is because when I feel weak I feel like giving up but God tells me to wait for Him and be strong. Not in myself of course, for I can't be strong on my own but only in Him. Thus my hear takes courage as I wait for Him!