Are You Living With Chronic Pain, How to Offer Up Your Sufferings to God

Dear Doves,
         Are you a
                  Christian that's suffering with a hidden disability.
                  Do you have debilitating chronic pain, which leaves
you sleepless at night. An estimated one
                  billion people on Earth suffer from some form of
                  painful illness. If you are
wondering how you can donate your suffering
                  to God, read on Sister's and Brother's in Christ
                  Jesus. Please respond to
God's will for your new life.
           
                               
                               
                               
                          Agape,


                
           
                               
                               
                               
                               
                   Mike Curtiss


                


                
Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of
                  God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living
                  sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your
                  spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1).<p>
Worship can be expressed in various forms. Some
                examples are through music, tithes and offerings,
                responding to the teaching of God’s Word, and performing
                acts of service and mercy in God’s name. This verse
                suggests something else to me as well–worshiping God
                through my sacrifices of earthly suffering.<p>
I am slowly learning to be aware of ways in which
                I can do this. As I endure the ongoing struggle with
                migraines day after day, I am trying to praise God for
                the ability He gives me to keep functioning and serving
                through them.<p>
When I am not able to sit, stand, or walk well
                because of back pain, I write devotionals on my knees.
                When the eye pain is so intense that I can’t read or use
                the computer or television, I listen to Bible study
                tapes or worship music and pray for others. None of
                these things are done in my own strength–it is all done
                by the power of Christ giving me not only the ability
                but the desire to do them.<p>
There are many times when I don’t offer my
                sufferings as a willing sacrifice. Sometimes all I can
                do is sit in agony or despair and cry to the Lord,
                pleading for mercy and endurance. God understands that.
                But each time I offer my pain and suffering in an
                attitude of worship as a sacrifice on the altar of
                praise, God does something wonderful.<p>
Whether now or later, He turns the ashes of my
                offerings into beauty and gives me a garment of praise
                for my spirit of heaviness. Whether praising or crying,
                I want to remember that my body is God’s living temple,
                and regardless of its physical condition, it can be a
                beautiful place of sacrifice to Him.<p>
Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me a willing
                  spirit to view my sufferings as a sacrificial offering
                  to You, and show me ways I can do this through my
                  specific circumstances. I praise and thank you Lord
                  for accomplishing this through me. Amen.