#edit: adjusted dave's face now i think he looks ok!

[redgearsmovin]

movering

[kenr6951]

Yup

TBI Ministries Logo Comfort: Caringly responding to a hurting person through words, actions, emotional responses, and physical touch; hurting with and for others in the midst of their grief or pain. (Romans 12: 15 NASB; Matthew 5:4: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4) In Sickness and in Health.... You may have spoken these words to your Love on your wedding day. As you took your vow you might have thought about the "sickness" part being a cold or the flu but probably not a chronic sickness. So what do you do when illness strikes and it is chronic or even worse, terminal? I don't think there is a simple way we can prepare for a long-lasting, hard, and painful illness that strikes our spouse. In that moment - your world stops spinning but the rest of the world goes on as normal. I don't think we can grasp the depth of strain that this circumstance might place on a marriage. Strain that includes financial and physical stress, the unknown, the permanent changes that need to happen to adjust to your new normal, the sadness, the guilt and the burdens both partners feel - one feeling like a burden and one wanting to be the strong one even though inside he/she is exhausted. This week's 52 Week Plan will prayerfully be an encouragement. We all need comfort from time to time. Though you might not ever have this difficult mountain to climb, you may be used by Jesus to bring comfort to those who do. We bump into sickness, colds, flus, but if I described your life above where a more lasting challenge is faced, may this week's plan be especially encouraging to you, the care giver and the spouse with health concerns. THREE SOURCES OF LIGHT - Help Us Experience Comfort Light Source #1: Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12) Walking in the Light: Having a fresh encounter with Jesus. (Comfort) The God of All Comfort2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. When Jesus Christ walked this earth prior to His ascension into heaven, even He - God's Son - needed and received comfort and encouragement from Father God. Think about the launching of Jesus' ministry at His baptism, when the Father spoke those encouraging and approving words, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:17 Remember another time in the Garden of Gethsemane prior to His crucifixion, when Jesus was forsaken by His disciples - who were supposed to stay awake and pray with/for Jesus - as He wrestled with His decision to go to the cross prior to His crucifixion. Here only His Father was truly present to comfort Him and an angel sent from the Father to strengthen Him. During chronic illness within a marriage, God may be the only one that can offer true comfort. As much as our friends, family and even spouse try and often do give us comfort, God knows best how to truly comfort because He is the only one that sees your deepest pain and need. Even as He gives comfort through your spouse or another friend, the comfort itself comes from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Would you allow Him to BE "your" comfort today? Would you welcome those "angels" of comfort He sends to also be comforting and understanding friends. Often in difficult times it can seem that God is quiet, not listening, but know that He truly is present. He hears your cries in the middle of the night and He longs to comfort you. Would you come together with your spouse and pray? Ask God to be your comfort and share your heartfelt pain with Him and with your spouse or other friend. Your situation may not change as you envision it, but your heart will surely change. You can walk through this together with God holding you in perfect peace if you will allow yourself to trust Him. Please note that this is not a "one and done" healing. As in most situations it may take coming back to His "throne of grace to find mercy and grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) May I pray for you too? Please email me at: TBI It would be my honor to lift you up to The God of ALL comfort! Jesus requested that His friends come along side Him in a desperately painful time in His life. You and I can do the same by asking our Father and our friends. Light Source #2: God's Word is a lamp and a light, so walk in the light of frequent experiences of doing His Word. Psalm 119: 105 Let's do: Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Living this verse out can be difficult, no doubt, but if you will allow God to have your illness, pain, hurt, anxiety, finances, fear, doubt, HE WILL give your heart peace. You probably won't understand the "why" of your circumstance on this side of heaven, but that's when your faith engages the ONE that does know the "why".! What you are walking through requires faith to be at peace. Somehow we want to take control of the situation because we just want to make it better, but we can't because we are NOT in control of many of these circumstances. This is hard but it is truth. Your pain is also tough on our spouse, family, and friends watching you from the sidelines. They also want to take control so they can make it better and make the pain stop, but they too have no ultimate control. Would you be vulnerable with them, those closest to you and come together to pray? Invite God into this situation and allow His peace to cover over you all like a veil. Allow HIS comfort and the comfort of your loved and dear ones to embrace the two of you. You may not be able to change your situation but your heart, mind, soul and attitude about your situation can be changed by God's caring love and His perspective. Light Source #3: God's people are sources of light so walk in real fellowship with your spouse and/or a trusted friend: "the light of the world." Matthew 5:14 For YOU, the caregiver: Friend, you need all the support you can get. You see it all, you carry it all on your shoulders, trying to be the strong one. You, out of everyone looking in on your spouse's situation, want your spouse to be well! To be the person he/she once was before illness struck. You want to make everything better and when you see that you can't.... helplessness may overcome you. You cry in the middle of the night so your spouse won't see you breaking...my heart hurts for you, friend. If I could say anything....please don't carry this pain on your own. I know you want to be strong for your spouse, but would you allow yourself to "fall apart", as may happen, with someone you trust? Friends that will comfort you and allow you to just be "raw and real" with them. Please know it is OK for you and your spouse to have days when you just hold each other and cry and comfort one another too. This is hard...you don't need to feel that you must wear your happy face every single day of this journey...Be real and Be honest and know it's OK. It's OK to Not Be OK For YOU, the one with illness: No one can even begin to know what you experience each day. Not only your physical pain but your thoughts, fears, anxiety, guilt and frankly just plain exhaustion from feeling the way you feel. You are suffering in more ways than just physical. I can only imagine that it is difficult to "have" to rely on others for help, physically, maybe financially (the cost of your condition I know must weigh on you too) but would you let them share the burden when they offer? If the table was turned, wouldn't you want to be a support and comfort for your spouse or friend? Most find it easier to be the giver rather than the "taker". God uses our circumstances, and He wants to use THIS circumstance to grow you in ways you may never have been able to until now. Sure, why does He have to use this illness to do that? We may never know "why", my friend, but remember it is trust and love God wants in all things. Galatians 5:6 As for your sweet spouse, the one who cares for you daily and loves you beyond words...would you allow him/her to comfort you? Know it is OK to be vulnerable and share your thoughts, your fears, your anxiety, your pain openly with him/her. Chances are pretty good that you are both feeling the same things. Use open, vulnerable communication with your spouse to allow you both to draw closer, understanding that this situation could easily drive you apart. My heart goes out to all who may be reading this and find themselves in a situation they never thought would happen. My prayer is that you will find comfort in God's loving arms and in the loving arms of your spouse today. May we at TBI pray for you? Please email us at TBI May your healing come quickly, my friend. 52 Week Plan written by Linda D'Avanzo: Edits by Dave Lewis The Basic Idea Like me on Facebook Find me on Pinterest The Basic Idea Ministries, 30 Eastover Drive, Cleveland, GA 30528 SafeUnsubscribe™ drboaz77@hotmail.com Forward this email | Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by linda.davanzo@thebasicidea.org in collaboration with Constant Contact Try it free today