Words of Comfort from Jesus

The day started out foggy. No, it was not a depiction of the weather outside. It was what was going on inside of my brain. I felt as if there was a low-lying cloud inside. A fog. So hard to see, think, read and write.

I know that I had had enough sleep so surely this grey cloud would lift as my day progressed. Sadly the sun did not shine and dissipate the fog. Even the morning coffee did not quell the fog.

Next proceeded the headache. The throbbing of the temples and the sore muscle points around the neck. After taking some pain relief, breathing deeply, I stopped and prayed. Inviting the Lord into my pain. To meet me where I am at right now and that He would send me relief. As I prayed Jesus eased the pain a little, for I could finally concentrate on some tasks I had to complete.

As I got up from my desk the pain coming from my knees added to the throbbing in the head. The chronic pain of my knees can sometimes feel like it is overtaking my life. I don’t want my pain to tell me how to live.  I calmly ask Jesus to not let it crush me.

Jesus words of comfort came to me:

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;

2 Corinthians 4:8 NRSV

The Son of God never fails to come to our aid. Jesus’ promises are true and forever. The pain keeps pushing me further into Jesus’ heart. I extend my trust more in Him, in His abilities. Drawing upon Him for strength and Him being the joy of my life.

I may not be delivered from my pain but I have found The Deliverer!

Oh, the Blessings!

I often cling onto:

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

‘See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwellwith them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.’

Revelations 21:3-4 NRSV

Our God has made a home among us mortals. He dwells with us now and one day there will be no more tears, no more death, no more pain

The second coming of the Lord is being waited for with anticipation and great joy. Oh, Lord come! I cannot wait!

But while we are waiting, either in pain or pain-free, lean into Isaiah.

even to your old age I am he,
    even when you turn grey I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear;
    I will carry and will save.

Isaiah 46:4 NRSV

Does not that bring you great comfort? Even in our old age God will carry us. Sad to say we often forget this and start complaining about the aches and pains, the arthritis, the loss of memory……may we turn our thinking around and celebrate that this pain, this difficulty, has allowed us to turn to the Saviour for help. What a blessing we will receive from inviting Jesus into …. the pain…… into the problem…… into the frustrations…. into the medical procedures…..

As I write this my headache is lifting. It is the One who lifts my head, my thoughts, my heart towards Him that has done this.

It is Jesus who gives me the strength to cope, to bear what I have been given. Because He carries it for me. He lifts my burdens, physically, mentally, spiritually. Can I encourage you? – Give your burdens/headaches to Jesus. He will lighten your load.

May these jottings from my journal inspire you to believe in and fall in love with Christ- the hope of the world, as stated in Jeremiah 17:7, ‘Blessed is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord!’

Love

Rosemary

Every week groups of ladies meet together to chat about the things I raise in my weekly blog post and to chat about life in general. We call these ‘Heart Connect’ groups.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What kind of burdens or pains do you have in your life now?

Do you find it difficult to lift those burdens to God? Why?

What can you do to trust in Him to carry you?