October 23, 2009
“God, who creates and preserves all things, should make Jesus perfect through suffering.” ~Hebrews 2:10
In this verse the author of Hebrews tells us the natural order of suffering. Not even Jesus, God’s own son, was immune from it’s grips. In matters of the human experience we are all bound to experience levels of suffering.
Depression, mental illness, are labels inflicted on may to describe a human level of suffering and the darkness of the depths of depression. Hopelessness and unrest exemplify the human experience and embody the meaning of the word suffering. The only difference in diagnosis and the human experience it represents is the name humans, medical professionals, put on it.
To be so uncomfortable is a feeling human nature rails against. Of late, with my own mental illness, I have tried to embrace such darkness. I am learning, though often with barred knuckles, the humility and acceptance that is a part of who I have been created to be in order to be one with Jesus. I don’t like suffering and resist it’s grip. I don’t volunteer for the experience no matter how close it brings me to my creator. But I do know that in my own darkness Jesus allows me to be one with him. As a creation, perfect in it’s human flaws and the experience of darkness, Jesus comforts me.
When reading further in Hebrews the author speaks these words,
“And now He [Jesus] can help those who are tempted, because he himself was tempted and suffered.” ~ Hebrews 2:18
The temptation is to run away, but we can learn lessons from Jesus’ own experience. We may have been made to experience the darkness of suffering nestled deep within the human soul, but we are not made to do it alone.
Showing posts with label Suffering or Pain?. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Suffering or Pain?. Show all posts
Friday, October 23, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
The Power of Others to Demonstrate God's Healing Presence During Times of Illness
"As it happened, Publius' father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. Then all the other sick people on the island came and were cured." ~Acts 28:8-9
What does healing look like?
Who are the people called to be prayer angels while laying their hands on us? Experiencing a recent illness, I am very aware of the faith that is required to trust God's grace during this period of uncertainty and physical and emotional unrest. It is especially during times of illness that we are closest to God, relying on his strength.
In this passage God gives us the instructions for getting back to wellness (whatever that looks like for each individual, and often only revealed to us looking back.)
God calls us to:
Trust his judgment while we rely on others. Theses periods when we do not get to experience total health and wellness we are to rely on those who love and care for us to be “God with skin on.” He asks us to lift our voices to the heavens while keeping our feet planted firmly on the earth. Sometimes that is all our loved ones can remind us to do. God says, "Others are sent remind you I am there."
God asks of us:
To rely on the power of healing touch. Physical touch is one of the most powerful social wellness tools we can bring out of our tool box of solutions. It invites us to be in community with others in our time of suffering. Allowing others to put their hands on us requires a certain vulnerability most are uncomfortable with. God says again, “Ask others to give healing touch in your life.”
It is through the power of spiritual connectedness with God and others in our lives that our physical and emotional selves experience the healing that Paul demonstrated in this gospel. We must not fear going to God as Publius' father did with openness, willingness and a faithful heart. We must become faithful, willing and open asking God to send us people to become a healing presence in our life. Experience the healing touch of God's own hands through the physical presence of others.
What does healing look like?
Who are the people called to be prayer angels while laying their hands on us? Experiencing a recent illness, I am very aware of the faith that is required to trust God's grace during this period of uncertainty and physical and emotional unrest. It is especially during times of illness that we are closest to God, relying on his strength.
In this passage God gives us the instructions for getting back to wellness (whatever that looks like for each individual, and often only revealed to us looking back.)
God calls us to:
Trust his judgment while we rely on others. Theses periods when we do not get to experience total health and wellness we are to rely on those who love and care for us to be “God with skin on.” He asks us to lift our voices to the heavens while keeping our feet planted firmly on the earth. Sometimes that is all our loved ones can remind us to do. God says, "Others are sent remind you I am there."
God asks of us:
To rely on the power of healing touch. Physical touch is one of the most powerful social wellness tools we can bring out of our tool box of solutions. It invites us to be in community with others in our time of suffering. Allowing others to put their hands on us requires a certain vulnerability most are uncomfortable with. God says again, “Ask others to give healing touch in your life.”
It is through the power of spiritual connectedness with God and others in our lives that our physical and emotional selves experience the healing that Paul demonstrated in this gospel. We must not fear going to God as Publius' father did with openness, willingness and a faithful heart. We must become faithful, willing and open asking God to send us people to become a healing presence in our life. Experience the healing touch of God's own hands through the physical presence of others.
The Power of Others to Demonstrate Gods Healing Presence During Times of Illness
"As it happened, Publius' father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. Then all the other sick people on the island came and were cured." ~Acts 28:8-9
What does healing look like?
Who are the people called to be prayer angels while laying their hands on us? Experiencing a recent illness, I am very aware of the faith that is required to trust God's grace during this period of uncertainty and physical and emotional unrest. It is especially during times of illness that we are closest to God, relying on his strength.
In this passage God gives us the instructions for getting back to wellness (whatever that looks like for each individual, and often only revealed to us looking back.)
God calls us to:
Trust his judgment while we rely on others. Theses periods when we do not get to experience total health and wellness we are to rely on those who love and care for us to be “God with skin on.” He asks us to lift our voices to the heavens while keeping our feet planted firmly on the earth. Sometimes that is all our loved ones can remind us to do. God says, "Others are sent remind you I am there."
God asks of us:
To rely on the power of healing touch. Physical touch is one of the most powerful social wellness tools we can bring out of our tool box of solutions. It invites us to be in community with others in our time of suffering. Allowing others to put their hands on us requires a certain vulnerability most are uncomfortable with. God says again, “Ask others to give healing touch in your life.”
It is through the power of spiritual connectedness with God and others in our lives that our physical and emotional selves experience the healing that Paul demonstrated in this gospel. We must not fear going to God as Publius' father did with openness, willingness and a faithful heart. We must become faithful, willing and open asking God to send us people to become a healing presence in our life. Experience the healing touch of God's own hands through the physical presence of others.
What does healing look like?
Who are the people called to be prayer angels while laying their hands on us? Experiencing a recent illness, I am very aware of the faith that is required to trust God's grace during this period of uncertainty and physical and emotional unrest. It is especially during times of illness that we are closest to God, relying on his strength.
In this passage God gives us the instructions for getting back to wellness (whatever that looks like for each individual, and often only revealed to us looking back.)
God calls us to:
Trust his judgment while we rely on others. Theses periods when we do not get to experience total health and wellness we are to rely on those who love and care for us to be “God with skin on.” He asks us to lift our voices to the heavens while keeping our feet planted firmly on the earth. Sometimes that is all our loved ones can remind us to do. God says, "Others are sent remind you I am there."
God asks of us:
To rely on the power of healing touch. Physical touch is one of the most powerful social wellness tools we can bring out of our tool box of solutions. It invites us to be in community with others in our time of suffering. Allowing others to put their hands on us requires a certain vulnerability most are uncomfortable with. God says again, “Ask others to give healing touch in your life.”
It is through the power of spiritual connectedness with God and others in our lives that our physical and emotional selves experience the healing that Paul demonstrated in this gospel. We must not fear going to God as Publius' father did with openness, willingness and a faithful heart. We must become faithful, willing and open asking God to send us people to become a healing presence in our life. Experience the healing touch of God's own hands through the physical presence of others.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
One Week Off
I decided to take this week off from any type of physical exercise. No running, weight lifting or yoga...I haven't run since March 4, today is March 14. I have vowed to get back on the road tomorrow. It has been good in a lot of ways. Gave my body rest and freed my time to do some other things. I spent a lot of time writing, have a deadline Monday, but Thursday was the day I was going to get everything caught up but I woke up with the worse migraine. Haven't had one of those in 13 years. What's up with that?
After spending a miserable day, I decided to get into see the doctor. 3:45 pm finally ended up after throwing up multiple times. Got a shot in the butt of phenegrin (spelling?) and Imatrix (spelling, sorry). One hour later, relief! And starving! Miracle drugs.
After spending a miserable day, I decided to get into see the doctor. 3:45 pm finally ended up after throwing up multiple times. Got a shot in the butt of phenegrin (spelling?) and Imatrix (spelling, sorry). One hour later, relief! And starving! Miracle drugs.
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