Category: Illness

We share

Ruth Kirk

All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them (John 14:23; NLT).

Just as I am,
My body is yours;
You made me –
And I am your home.

Just as I am,
My thinking is yours;
You know me –
I’m never alone.

Just as I am,
My emotions are yours;
You love me –
And share every fear.

Just as I am,
My spirit is yours,
For you are my God –
And you’re here!

Remember that I am always with you until the end of time (Matthew 28:20; GNT).

References

I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine (Song of Songs 6:3; NIV).

He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed (John 20:28; NLT).

One with God

Ruth Kirk

When you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to God who is in that secret place (Matthew 6:6; TIB).

We’re one in silence,
One in stillness,
One in secret:
One with God.

We’re one in dryness,
One in trouble,
One in failure:
One with God.

We’re one in darkness,
One in sorrow,
One in anguish:
One with God.

We’re one in exile,
One in torment,
One in dying:
One with God.

Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39; NLT). 

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? (Psalm 22:1; NLT).

Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me LORD, my faithful God (Psalm 31:5; NIV).

References

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

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens (Psalm 68:19; NIV).

In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years (Isaiah 63:9; NLT).

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them (1 John 4:16; NLT).

The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).

Life is hard

Ruth Kirk

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

How hard life is, my God,
How hard –
With so much sorrow
On the way;
With so much anguish,
Loss and pain –
Until we see your face
Again.

From birth to death
We’re exiled here –
To follow Christ,
And grow in love;
To ask for, and receive,
Your grace –
Until we know
Your warm embrace.

How rich you are
In joy and peace –
So kind and patient,
Strong and wise.
We need your Son
And Spirit, too –
Until we’re one,
At last, with you.

How short life is, my God,
How short –
So we have put
Our trust in you.
We’ll share the bliss
You have in store –
When we unite with you
Once more.

There is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:8; NIV).

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9; NLT). 

The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).

It’s okay!

Ruth Kirk

Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27; NLT; my emphasis).

At last (aged 73), I am starting to grasp a little more that it’s okay:

  • To look how I look, to think my own thoughts, and to feel how I feel.
  • To be as I am, physically, mentally, neurologically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.
  • To be honest with myself, God, and everyone I come into contact with, whilst always trying to do so without being hurtful.
  • To make mistakes, to get things wrong, and to forget things.
  • To make my own choices, to have my own opinions, and to change my mind.
  • To change my behaviour.
  • To be assertive.
  • To offer help, and for my help to be refused.
  • To ask for help, to accept offered help, and to refuse offered help.
  • To grow as a person.
  • To continue my spiritual development.
  • To age, and to decline in physical strength, energy, health, and mental sharpness.

In short: It’s okay to be myself.

Very slowly and cautiously, I’m beginning to feel as if I no longer need to apologise for my existence, because God made me just as I am, and loves me just as I am. So maybe I can even begin to love myself just as I am, as well!

My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10; NLT).

References

Speak the truth with love (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).

He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever (Psalm 117:2; NLT).

The Father himself loves you (John 16:27; NIV).

 

The road is difficult

Ruth Kirk

The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult (Matthew 7:14; NLT).

Introduction
The road through life and back to God difficult because committing to it means:

  • Learning to accept and welcome whatever God sends into our lives, both good and bad, with thanks.
  • Facing whatever God gives or takes with all the courage we can muster, just as Christ did.
  • Loving, trusting, and clinging to God, no matter what trials we have to endure.
  • Giving love to others the best we can, in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.

Jesus’ example
There can be no better way to grasp what this road requires of us in practice than to reflect on how Jesus faced his death. The following quotations show how he accepted God’s will and clung to his faith whilst continuing to love and serve all those around him. He did this despite his terrible physical, emotional and spiritual suffering, even when he felt completely abandoned by God:

  • My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done” (Matthew 26:42; NLT).
  • When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. … Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:33-34; NLT).
  • Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-3; NLT).
  • Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home (John 19:25-6; NLT).
  • At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46; NLT).
  • Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last (Luke 23:46; NLT).

Conclusion
Our task on earth is to follow Jesus’ example in all circumstances:

  • Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; NLT).
  • God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21; NLT).

Following Christ can be very hard, but however difficult our road may be, our ultimate destination remains the same: complete healing, in oneness with God, for evermore.

The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV). 

References

I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD! (Job 1:21; NLT).

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows (John 16:33; NLT).

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV).

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you (Deuteronomy 31:8; NLT).

I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things (Isaiah 45:7; NIV).

Should we accept only good things from the hand of God, and never anything bad? (Job 2:10; NLT).

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other (Ecclesiastes 7:14; NIV).

Those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction (Job 36:15; NIV).

I have seen, O Lord, that your decisions are right, and that in unchanging faith you have sent trouble on me (Psalm 119:75; BBE).

Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you (Isaiah 30:20; NLT).

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16; NIV).

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again (Psalm 71:20; NIV).

Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal (Job: 5:17; NIV).

Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds (Hosea 6:1; NLT).

 

My pilgrimage

Ruth Kirk

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage (Psalm 84:5; NIV).

My time here is a pilgrimage
From birth, through life, to death,
And you’re in charge at every stage,
Until my final breath.

With dread and agoraphobia
I’ve struggled through the years,
With anguish and anxiety,
Depression, sickness, tears.

I didn’t ask to be alive;
I didn’t want to live;
But, doggedly, I’ve tried to change,
To grow, to love, to give.

And you’ve been with me step by step
Along my troubled way:
Please help me still to cling to you,
Rejoice, give thanks, and pray.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18; NIV).

References

The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult (Matthew 7:14; NLT).

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).

Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him (Deuteronomy 13:4; NLT).

I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely (Psalm 63:8; NLT).

 

Hands

Ruth Kirk

I hold you by your right hand – I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you” (Isaiah 41:13; NLT).

My hand in yours
Opens all doors.

Your hand in mine:
Lord, I am thine.

Our hands are fused,
Though they are bruised.

Our hands are one:
Your reign has come.

God’s kingdom is here with you (Luke 17:21; CEV).

The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15; NLT).

References

Keep knocking, and the door will be opened for you (Luke 11:9; ISV).

Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do (Luke 24:39; NLT).

I am thine (Psalm 119:94; KJV).

He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5; RSV).

I am numb and greatly bruised (Psalm 38:8; AMP).

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

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! (Philippians 3:8-11; NLT).

 

Inner peace

Ruth Kirk

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).

Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace] (James 1:3; AMP).

Introduction
Inner peace in the face of life’s many trials and sorrows is so precious, yet so difficult to reach and maintain. Fostering it requires deep devotion to God, to our spiritual development, and to loving others.

Inner peace
Inner peace does not rely on everything going well, or on reaching a point where our lives are calm and sorted. Rather, it means:

  • Having rock-solid faith in God, no matter what happens.
  • Constantly sharing everything with God in prayer, with total honesty.
  • Continuing to trust in God, even when we have lost all hope.
  • Clinging to God, even when we feel completely abandoned, as Jesus did on the cross.
  • Knowing that God will bring good out of all that happens to us, no matter how desperate our situation is.

Developing inner peace
Fortunately, inner peace does not rely solely on our own efforts. Rather, it is a gift from God:

  • I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid (John 14:27; NLT).

However, it does rely on us having a loving relationship, and a working partnership, with God.

Biblical guidance
Let’s see what guidance the Bible offers about how to develop inner peace through our relationship with God:

  • If you repent [and give up this mistaken attitude of despair and self-pity], then I will restore you [to a state of inner peace] so that you may stand before Me [as My obedient representative] (Jeremiah 15:19; AMP).
  • Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever] (Matthew 5:10; AMP).
  • Glory and honor and inner peace [will be given] to everyone who habitually does good (Romans 2:10; AMP).
  • The fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23; AMP).
  • We who believe [that is, we who personally trust and confidently rely on God] enter that rest [so we have His inner peace now because we are confident in our salvation, and assured of His power (Hebrews 4:3; AMP).
  • Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace] (James 1:3; AMP).
  • We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28; NLT).

Conclusion
There can be no better conclusion to this short blog than the words of St. Paul:

  • I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfil His purpose – I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace] (Philippians 4:13; AMP).

References

I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built (Luke 6:47-8; NLT).

Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Mark 15:34; NLT).

Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last (Luke 23:46; NLT).

Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always] (Colossians 3:15; AMP).

What is impossible for people is possible with God (Luke 18:27; NLT).

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage (Psalm 84:5; NIV).

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge] (John 14:27; AMP).

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).

 

Every morning

Ruth Kirk

Today I am moving to a new home, in a new country!

When I wake up, you are still with me! (Psalm 139:18; NLT).

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NIV). 

Every morning, when I wake,
No matter what the day may bring,
I lift my voice to you, and sing,
My God, in celebration.

Every morning, when I wake,
However desolate my way,
I give my heart to you, and pray
With every tribe and nation.

Every morning, when I wake,
No matter if I’m well, or ill,
I join my life to yours, for still
I’m one with all creation.

Every morning, when I wake,
Whatever comes from you, on high,
I bind my soul to yours, and sigh
In silent adoration.

Let all the earth be silent in God’s presence (Habakkuk 2:20; TIB).

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things (1 Chronicles 29:11; NLT).

References

YHWH’S favor is not exhausted, nor has God’s compassion failed. They rise up anew each morning, so great is God’s faithfulness. “YHWH is all I have,” I cry. “so I will wait in patience” (Lamentations 3:22-4; TIB).

The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult (Matthew 7:14; NLT).

I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD! (Job 1:21; NLT).

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; they rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4; KJV).

The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:27-8; RSV).