I've been on this journey of feeling steadily unwell for a little over two years now. Whether physical pains in my body (muscles, joints, etc.), repeat sicknesses that I can't seem to shake, or mental dips because of my lack of physical stamina---I have a conscience choice to make each day. Do I let my physical health and how I "feel" dictate my mood and overall attitude toward others, or do I make the decision to have a grateful heart in the midst of hardship?
It's not an easy decision. Every part of my flesh wants to complain and ask why I can't get well and why I don't feel like I used to. The fleshly side of me wants to search for answers that the medical field has to offer. I'm trying to take better care of what I put into my body, get enough sleep, decrease my stress, etc. But ultimately, my hope does not lie in feeling better. And that's a hard pill to swallow. I'm not owed a body that feels good--though I've been blessed to have that most of my life. God, who is rich in mercy, has according to his good purposes, allowed this testing and hardship. And it might just be for the rest of my days on this earth. But I don't think so. He has already made me very aware of days that I'm feeling better versus days I don't feel well. And when I feel good I rejoice, not knowing how long the gift will last.
I want to shine his light in this dark world. I have no greater mission in this life than to teach my girls about my Father who is compassionate, loving, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. I want to show them that no matter what our circumstances, we can give thanks to Him for all of our blessings in Christ Jesus.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of adoption. I experienced it by my father here on this earth, so I think it helps me understand the concept a little better in the spiritual sense. Thank you for clothing me with your very name and the spiritual blessings you provide for all of your children. Thank you for making me co-heirs with Christ. I can't help but be reminded of Romans 8--a great passage to end on and be encouraged by.
Heirs with Christ
"12 So then, brothers,[e] we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons[f] of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Future Glory
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because[g] the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[h] for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."
No comments:
Post a Comment