Life and aging...
- At 35, my immune system collapsed, followed by 5 years of flu-like symptoms and 30 years of low energy levels.
- I’ve had stomach issues for over 20 years, including ulcers.
- At 55 I had severe food poisoning which caused some minor life-long health problems (The Very Hairs of Your Head).
- At 58, I broke my ankle, and a few years later I tore my PCL, both while doing Christian work overseas (Spiritual Atrophy).
- In the last few years, I've developed dry eye, dry mouth, and arthritis in certain joints, especially my hands.
Life reminds us that our world is fallen.
But the good news is this: We're not home yet.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
We are not home yet, and the aging process is one reminder of that truth. But one day we will have perfect bodies and perfect souls and we'll spend our days with Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Revelation 21:1-4). Finally, we'll be home!
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Bible Love Notes
I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word: Wisdom for Life. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. And find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE. You can read the first 4 devotions in the book by clicking "look inside" on Lifeway or Amazon.
I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.
Bible Love Notes
Bless you sweet lady!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ashley. : )
DeleteI don't know. I pray daily for healing for aome serious health issues for my daughters. I'm not Charismatic but the Bible Does encourage us to pray for healing. This devotional makes you feel like giving up.
DeleteHi Unknown,
DeleteI'm sorry for your daughter's health issues, and it's important to persevere in prayer as long as God prompts you to do so. God may heal your daughters and He may not. He knows what is best for everyone of us, and He doesn't promise an easy life this side of heaven.
He promises something much better: an eternity of pure goodness without a single sad moment. All we must endure is this short time here on earth, proving that our faith is in the Lord, not in the things He gives us. And even if we live to be 125, it's a drop in the ocean of eternity.
i will certainly keep you in my thoughts/prayers gail ~
ReplyDelete^)^ linda
Thank you, Linda. Prayers are a precious gift.
DeleteGail, thank you for this reminder from God's Word which gives us a proper and powerful perspective! That's a Scripture I need to memorize. Thank you, friend. (And you are always in my prayers....)
ReplyDeleteYour friendship and prayers are special to me, Kim.
Delete: )
Praying for you Gail. You are an example for so many of us. Keep up with your faith as it gives us a better perspective of what truly matters!
ReplyDeleteLove you
Thanks for your encouragement and prayers, Marta. : )
DeleteAnd the other part of that is,"work for the night is coming!" We often wonder why these issues occur but as long as there is work to do, we should do it. The joy of the Lord is my strength!
ReplyDeleteYou and Merrill have really lived out that saying, Carol, despite Merrill's health problems. Thanks for that example.
DeleteThank yes, we need to thank our Lord every day for all the small mercies we so easily don't even realize as the gift it is from His hand!
ReplyDeleteMuch love
Mia
Yes, there are so many things we take for granted. Thanks for stopping by, Mia.
DeleteI really appreciated this glimpse into your life, Gail. You've been through a lot and I know you have not felt the greatest lately. That is so interesting that the dr. said you are healthier than most people your age!! I loved the analogy. You know, I keep thinking up posts in my head and often with some lame analogy (sorry about the word lame...I picked that up from my two teens, LOL).
ReplyDeleteSorry...I got distracted and didn't finish my thought.
DeleteWhat I wanted ti say, is that, reading your BLNs almost daily has helped me to start seeing things in analogies.
I love your posts, Judith, and your heart behind them.
DeleteI do think my mind thinks in analogies. I often think "there's a devotion in that situation." : )
May the Lord touch you & give you renewed strength & health. As long as you are drawing breath, He has you here for His purposes & His glory. I visited from Winsome Wednesday & I am glad that I did.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Joanne
Thank you, Joanne, for this sweet prayer.
DeleteFrom 2005 through 2008 I felt like I was in worse shape than the patients I was taking care of as a nurse. Mandatory retirement for health reasons was not my plan. However three surgeries later, much therapy, much determination and much prayer, I am enjoying life again and so thankful for the gift of life!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you are now enjoying good health again, Esther Joy. It is truly a blessing, isn't it? And we appreciate it even more when we've gone without it.
DeleteThank God for your one minute devotion.I've learn a lot and spiritally fed and was reminded to pray for you and your health and ministry.
DeleteThank you so much, for your prayers. They mean so much to me!
DeleteGod bless you.
I am so sorry you have had all those troubles! Actually kinda sounds like me....have you been check for food allergies or food sensitivities? I had IBS too but with removal of certain foods I am fine. I do have issues with extreme stress causing it to flare up. And no, we are not home yet! Looking forward to it! Thanks for linking up with me :)
ReplyDeleteGood morning Gail! Thank you for this BLN today. I needed it badly!! I too, have a few medical issues that keep me in pain a lot and weary. Diabetes, Asthma, RA, COPD, and take so many meds. Just about sick of it. I hurt daily and I take insulin, which isn't fun! 2019 ended badly too. I ended up in the hospital with Cellulitis and then came home and two days later, I hit another car. Didn't even see it! But somehow, I got through it all. Sometimes I feel like there isn't any point to this life but then I think about my beautiful grandchildren, my wonderful son and daughter and their spouses and how we are so blessed! And I have the most awesome husband who prays for me and with me and I am truly a blessed woman! So looking at it all, I think my blessings outweigh my troubles! But I am truly, very thankful that a day is coming when all of this will be gone! Until then...!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your hardships. You definitely have more than your fair share!! I'm glad that you have such a great family and a great attitude.
DeleteGod bless you!!
My story is a long one..God has been with me on a long journey..and He brought me here to tell others that suffer from emphasema or copd to put their faith in Him..I asjed Him to lead me to something that could help me and others who suffee from COPD and lung related infections...He showed me..please see your Dr...but trust in God...I thought I was dying,I was actually till He showed me...eat a bowl of steamed broccoli everyday..your infections will get better..Im at the point where im no longee on meds..I took them everyday when I ate the vegetable,but for 3 years now im at a point where im 8 months with no meds,just broccoli..its a natural with helping inflamation..it worked for me..just dont give up..I know He is the one responsible..do not quit your medications while eating it..follow your Dr.s advice until you notice a difference yourself..Im not saying it will cure everyoneike it has helped me,but what do you have to loose..try it pray daily...Im am 100% better sence ive started this,snd thats why im here writing this,because I know God wants me to pass this on to others who suffer as I did...you dont have much to loose..broccoli is cheap..plus its an anti inflammatory for the lungs..please,anyone who has emphasema and lung problems as I did..please try it..He wants to heal you..thanks you..
ReplyDelete