Devotions from Judy’s heart

I would surmise that most of us don’t like suffering of any kind and would like a trouble-free life. But that is not possible for all of us will go through painful times, struggles and hardships. The key question we can ask ourselves, is how well do we do when suffering comes into our life? I was reading an article by Joy-Ann Wood who shares how Paul writes to Timothy, his spiritual son, and exhorts him to be courageous in suffering and uses the examples of a soldier, an athlete and a farmer from II Tim 2:3-7. He starts out by saying, ”Share in sufferings as a good soldier of Jesus.”

If we were in the military we would want to be strong and not distracted given our assignment. If we are an athlete, we would want to be disciplined and focused on the goal and training well. If we were a farmer we would be hard working and willing to toil in the heat and deal with the weeds etc. In other words, Paul is saying to keep focused, work hard and endure suffering courageously.

I must admit I am not excited about suffering but I am seeing more and more the benefits of suffering. As you all know, I fell and have been dealing with my injured leg and often have to go to a wound specialist at the hospital. I am excited to go in one sense, as she surveys my wound and knows exactly what to do to help it heal. But I also know when she debrides it, and removes the old dried blood and skin with several kinds of instruments, it hurts! Sometimes I close my eyes and just pray. All the while she is doing it I know it is for my good and so I thank her and call her my angel. I am thankful she is very observant and knows what to look for and detected that I had a staph infection. She gave me the necessary antibiotic and although I could have rejected her advice it would not be wise to do that or I would only have become more sick and not heal.

The last time I was there, the picture came to me of how our Great Physician is our healer, and we need to be willing to go to Him for help. Sometimes it is something very big but even in the little things that cause pain, He is the one we need to go to. If we reject his ways and don’t receive His help, we will only become sicker and deeper in despair. Yes, it may hurt initially, but in the long run it is healing. We are not to let things go, but to quickly run to Him for help.

Challenge for today: Thank the Lord when going through suffering that He is bringing healing and restoration to you, and follow His instructions.