This suggestion is from my current daily devotional, Jesus Calling.
I had to read it twice. And then a third time. My mind resists such a crazy idea. In my flesh, I want to get past my problems, or have them vanish. My first thought is never, Oh, good, another headache. Come on in.
I kept reading, and of course the author's wisdom is revealed further down the page: God uses everything for good. I read that twice as well, as a reminder. God uses everything for good.
Even headaches. Especially headaches. Because, when we're having an issue, that's when we're most likely to turn to God. When life is lovely and stress-free, we, well, I get complacent and forget God still runs the show. I assume it's my stellar navigational skills that brought such peace to my life.
Then, a headache barges in and disrupts my rhythm. I groan and sigh, but eventually, I pray. The headache - illness, tragedy, loss of any kind, or (UGH) a leaking bathtub - takes me back to the source of life, and I remember I'm not really in charge of diddly-do.
I know this, I do, but I get so weary of the work headaches bring. They're rarely easy, or short-lived, or, in case of the leaking bathtub, cheap. I don't know why this surprises me. God never promised me easy, short-lived, or cheap. He did promise to grow me up. By its nature, the road to spiritual maturity is arduous, unrelenting, and costly.
I still choose it. Even though I whine often. Headaches do bring me to the throne, where God can pull me into His lap and assure me, "You're not alone. Together, we can do this."
So, I will try to remember to view the struggles of this life as "friends." Annoying friends, but friends who show me the truth. I guess we can't have too many of those.
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I'm sorry you suffer from headaches. And it is true; we often need nudges to bring us to God and to humble us. Also, I have learned that as we learn lessons we can move on to a new and different problem to learn from and continue learning from the old ones as well! There is much to be grateful for, huh? :)
ReplyDeleteHey Sharon, I don't have literal headaches. :-) I was implying the struggles in life (maybe, not clear enough!) Yes, there are plenty of issues to keep us learning, for sure. And there IS much to be grateful for, you are right. :-)
DeleteThis is so true. When we truly understand that all our problems are part of a master plan to make us better people. We can truly embrace them and appreciate them for what they do for us. And then look them in the eye and overcome them because we know that is part of the plan too!
ReplyDelete--Nikki
I wish everyone saw headaches/life struggles/challenges in this way. We'd all be a lot less stressed out.
ReplyDeleteI'm in agreement with your whole post, but I gotta tell you I love this line, "I remember I'm not really in charge of diddly-do."
ReplyDeleteWords to remember!
HA, Jerri! I have to remember that every day!
ReplyDeleteI agree! our conversion back to Christ happened during a crisis when we were forced to depend on Him.
ReplyDeleteAP, that seems to be the way most of us come around. We have to really be knocked to our knees. Thanks for coming over from the Ballpark. :-)
DeleteMare Ball sent me over! So sorry you too have to deal with migraines. I'm not as accepting of them and knock those suckers out with as many Excedrine Migraine Tablets the label tells me I can have (or maybe a few over). So nice to visit. I love me some Mormons.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right--- it really is the problems, the hard times-- that help me focus and remember what matters most. So while they often suck at the time it really can be for our good.
ReplyDeleteThere is a song I love by Laura Story called, “Blessings” and the chorus goes like this: “’Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops? What if your healing comes through tears? What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know you’re there? What if trials of this life are your mercies in disguise?” I think it’s so true. Just look at the Old Testament- it’s filled with story after story of people basically needing one heck of a conk on the head to remember that, like you said, they’re “not really in charge of diddily-do.” :-)
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