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| Photographic Print: Worried Man by Andre Burian |
John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
People's New Testament Commentary on John 16:33: Be of good cheer. The world can only afflict for a season; it is a conquered world; Christ has overcome it.
Beth's appointments went well yesterday. Her doctor, prepared when she walked in to push the cancer drug, saw that Beth's swelling was considerably down, and that Beth could jump on both legs, straighten them, and walk reasonably well.
She responded, "You must have poured on the prayer." What a relief and thank you for praying along with us!
Beth's white blood cell count was elevated twice in a row (Feb. and late April), which usually indicates infection. We were sick frequently in late winter, early spring; Beth suffered three colds that I remember--one accompanied by viral bronchitis. She also had two dental cavities and seasonal allergies. I'm hoping all these things, in combination with increased swelling in her knees during those months, elevated her white blood cell counts (between 4,000 and 11,000 is normal; her's were around 24,000). Leukemia can cause an elevation too--one very good reason not to ignore abnormal readings. We'll have the blood test repeated soon.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
People's New Testament Commentary on John 16:33: Be of good cheer. The world can only afflict for a season; it is a conquered world; Christ has overcome it.
Beth's appointments went well yesterday. Her doctor, prepared when she walked in to push the cancer drug, saw that Beth's swelling was considerably down, and that Beth could jump on both legs, straighten them, and walk reasonably well.
She responded, "You must have poured on the prayer." What a relief and thank you for praying along with us!
Beth's white blood cell count was elevated twice in a row (Feb. and late April), which usually indicates infection. We were sick frequently in late winter, early spring; Beth suffered three colds that I remember--one accompanied by viral bronchitis. She also had two dental cavities and seasonal allergies. I'm hoping all these things, in combination with increased swelling in her knees during those months, elevated her white blood cell counts (between 4,000 and 11,000 is normal; her's were around 24,000). Leukemia can cause an elevation too--one very good reason not to ignore abnormal readings. We'll have the blood test repeated soon.
Her arthritis-associated eye inflammation is gone. Again, thank you for praying.
Her strasbismus (lazy eyes) have worsened (unrelated to arthritis). If her glasses for an astigmatism don't correct the strasbismus by the end of summer, she'll need surgery to straighten her gaze. Her ophthalmologist is famous for this; people from all over the world come to him for strasbismus surgery, so if she needs it, she's in good hands. While an uncorrected astigmatism can lead to lazy eye, it's most likely inherited in Beth's case. My paternal grandmother had a bad case of it.
Of my four children Beth seems to have gotten the worse of the inherited conditions, Peter excepted.
I was on cloud nine for a time after the appointment, but sad for all those who left children's hospital the same day, with heartbreaking news. Each visit there I'm reminded that so many children have serious issues. Every parent I see potentially spent time crying themselves to sleep, or sickening themselves with worry. So leaving with good news for Beth is bittersweet.
How does God choose who gets the bad news, and who gets the good? Do you ever wonder that?
All illness and disease is a result of the sin curse, but God can change the course of a body's inherited or acquired condition. Prayer can change the course, but only if God decides that healing from prayer will bring more hearts to him than the divine grace to endure.
He's all about bringing hearts to himself, and he desires that same focus from us.
My troubles don't end with Beth's conditions, or with Peter's. The front storm glass door no longer latches properly. It was bad for awhile, but now it's worse. And yesterday we realized our shower is leaking; the shower pipes need to be replaced. Taking a bath this morning instead and trying to wash my hair that way? Not convenient. And don't even ask about the toilets, one of which badly needs replaced.
So much of life is not convenient. And trouble comes in batches. You've probably noticed that? Perhaps this makes His lessons sink in better?
I have a side note for you on the trouble we bring on ourselves. Not all trouble is random. When my husband lost his job in 2009, he found part-time work fairly quickly, and then a second part-time job. But still, we could only make credit card payments for one year after that. Then we had to default in order to eat, make the house payment, and keep up with repairs on our home and our old cars. Two years later there are lawsuits to contend with. Even for a balance as low as $1200, a credit card agency will sue, depending on the company. Some choose to sell the bad debt instead. Don't believe it if you hear they don't bother suing.
When things get tight financially, God will provide for your needs, but not for your credit balances. He allows them to default to discipline you. He hates debt and you'd do well to pay all your balances down to zero. His discipline in this area is humiliating and extremely stressful. And avoidable!
Now back to my main theme regarding how to overcome more general, random trouble--not that anything is really random.
How Believers handle the inconveniences and heartaches of life determines how many hearts draw close to Him. No, God doesn't need us to save souls. But He prefers to use us. And why? When using us gets messy and comes with delays?
For His glory. His glory is magnified through His work in us.
Whatever troubles you have, take heart and be willing to say to the Lord, as Mary did:
Luke 1:38
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Of my four children Beth seems to have gotten the worse of the inherited conditions, Peter excepted.
I was on cloud nine for a time after the appointment, but sad for all those who left children's hospital the same day, with heartbreaking news. Each visit there I'm reminded that so many children have serious issues. Every parent I see potentially spent time crying themselves to sleep, or sickening themselves with worry. So leaving with good news for Beth is bittersweet.
How does God choose who gets the bad news, and who gets the good? Do you ever wonder that?
All illness and disease is a result of the sin curse, but God can change the course of a body's inherited or acquired condition. Prayer can change the course, but only if God decides that healing from prayer will bring more hearts to him than the divine grace to endure.
He's all about bringing hearts to himself, and he desires that same focus from us.
My troubles don't end with Beth's conditions, or with Peter's. The front storm glass door no longer latches properly. It was bad for awhile, but now it's worse. And yesterday we realized our shower is leaking; the shower pipes need to be replaced. Taking a bath this morning instead and trying to wash my hair that way? Not convenient. And don't even ask about the toilets, one of which badly needs replaced.
So much of life is not convenient. And trouble comes in batches. You've probably noticed that? Perhaps this makes His lessons sink in better?
I have a side note for you on the trouble we bring on ourselves. Not all trouble is random. When my husband lost his job in 2009, he found part-time work fairly quickly, and then a second part-time job. But still, we could only make credit card payments for one year after that. Then we had to default in order to eat, make the house payment, and keep up with repairs on our home and our old cars. Two years later there are lawsuits to contend with. Even for a balance as low as $1200, a credit card agency will sue, depending on the company. Some choose to sell the bad debt instead. Don't believe it if you hear they don't bother suing.
When things get tight financially, God will provide for your needs, but not for your credit balances. He allows them to default to discipline you. He hates debt and you'd do well to pay all your balances down to zero. His discipline in this area is humiliating and extremely stressful. And avoidable!
Now back to my main theme regarding how to overcome more general, random trouble--not that anything is really random.
How Believers handle the inconveniences and heartaches of life determines how many hearts draw close to Him. No, God doesn't need us to save souls. But He prefers to use us. And why? When using us gets messy and comes with delays?
For His glory. His glory is magnified through His work in us.
Whatever troubles you have, take heart and be willing to say to the Lord, as Mary did:
Luke 1:38
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
In the midst of trouble we are never without comfort. Because of Christ's blood, which reconciled us to our Father, we have the Comforter. The Holy Spirit. Draw close to Him and know the comfort that is your inheritance. Don't leave it uncollected.
John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
8 comments:
I'm so thankful Beth's appointment went well.
Thank you, Dear Susan!
Praise God for Beth's appointment!!! I wish we lived closer my husband is also a plumber and could help you out :)Well saying a prayer that God supernaturally meet those needs! Also praying those elevated white count are nothing.
christine, i love coming to your blog. i love the way Christ is in you so powerfully. and i am praying for your sweet beth... and grateful her appointment went well. xo
ps. as to your question? yes, i wonder that ALL the time.
Thank you, Tesha and Emily. I wish we had a plumber friend for sure, Tesha, but my cousin, who is a general handyman, may finally have the time to help us this week on our plumbing issues. He offers a discount on labor to his family members, thank God.
And Emily, right back at you. I am praying for the book promotion!
So thankful for the good doctor's report! Praying that your plumbing problems will be repaired soon.
Much love to you!
Thank you for the prayers, Lisa!
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