Faith Testing
Hello friends, I am trying to enter something in the blog at least once a week and it is 7 days since I last wrote. I have to confess I am "feeling" a little less inspired today. Isn't it amazing how a little interruption in the normal routine can seem to throw things off. A few mornings ago I was suddenly struck with severe lower back pain and have been unable to do most of what has been normal for me. The level of disappointment is hard to express. I have tried to analyze the hows and whys of this set-back (no pun intended) but still am experiencing a sense of frustration. It is kind of ironic that one day before this incident I spent the morning working on a CD of pre-school songs I have written and am producing. The one song we worked on required that I sing the lyrics about 30 times. The words to the chorus say this "When God makes a promise you know that it will happen cause all God's promises are TRUE! When things seem to be moving smoothly and there are minimal issues I tend to operate at a level of faith and trust but throw in an unexpected struggle or interference and I discover that I am less faith-filled and my firm stand becomes "wobbly". I am aware that there are people who live with such constant pain and difficulty that it would make my back ache seem like a party in comparison. I admit right up front that I could have it a lot worse BUT that does not erase the problem for me. I find myself questioning is this an attack from the enemy, is it a temporary God allowed season to turn my attention more to Him or is it in fact the result of over exertion during my early morning workouts? This morning I am sensing that regardless of the source of my trouble I am to maintain trust in my heavenly Father that has promised to always be with me and to be my help in the times of trouble. It is easy to boast in my mighty God's power and shout His praises when I am celebrating in victory but when I'm in a tough circumstance things change. Here it comes...another word twist! I just now noticed a poster on the wall that says..."the deeper the roots, the higher the reach". I honestly don't want to be SHALLOW in my faith. The word SHALLOW rearranged is ALL SHOW! Could it be that a faith untested could actually be ALL SHOW and without substance? It may be these awkward times we face as believers that ultimately bring the opportunity to go deeper and eventually reach higher. I think the genuiness of faith can only be revealed as it lives through all life brings us both good and bad. How is your faith in the tough times. Any advice for a growing child of God? Please write back.
One of the things I have learned, is that whether it is an attack of the enemy, or a "set apart" time for God to "fix" something in my life, or both.....as I have come to find out....(what was intended for evil, God will use for good),and even though our enemy thought this would get me really discouraged and would use it to try to sidetrack me, then God actually will use it to bring a needed healing (emotional, spiritual, or physical), or a couple times for me...it was when I was getting off balance in an area of my life. I have learned that if I keep the right attitude,(which isn't always easy, but it is a choice, and is usually about TRUST for me), then I allow the Holy Spirit to really do a special work in my life, one that really needed to happen if I want to go DEEPER in my relationship with Him, and ultimately fine tune me for my destiny purpose. That was the TRUST part that was so hard for me. Will He really work this for my good??? Lately it seems the Lord has been dealing with me in the different areas where I was actually doing the right thing, but was a bit off balance. So when a "suddenly" happens in my life now, one of the things I try to do, after I pick myself up from the original shock........is ask Him what is it you are wanting me to learn from this? And in those times for me, I have learned that every time my "suddenly" came, He actually had something in mind that He wanted to accomplish in my life, and as I learned to TRUST Him, WOW, He was faithful every time. I like the word twist about not wanting to be "shallow"...in our faith, because I believe I was just that, and I am so glad that He is so patient with each of us in such an individual way, because He knows exactly why we act the way we act, whether it be a wound from the past or some other hinderance that might keep us from the fullness He has for us. I don't want my faith to be ALL SHOW, so I do want to allow the tests that build us stronger, even though they are sometimes confusing and very hard times, but I am so thankful that I am learning that He REALLY DOES have our good in mind. And I am also soooo thankful that during the times of my toughest tests, He has always had some very special people in my life to help me me walk through them and encourage me to not give up....but to LOOK UP!
I remember something Pastor Jim taught us about 15 years ago....he said first the PROMISE.....then the PROBLEM.....then the PROVISION! At the time, I didn't know what he meant by that, but as time has gone by, and I received some PROMISES from God.....I'm now starting to get it!
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Hi Chris,
I loved your comment; I identified a lot with your words. If we exchanged shoes, it would be hard to distinguish which one is mine and which one is yours. It seems we are walking side by side.
By the way, there are so many “Chris” in this church. Which one are you? Chris Martin, Chris that helps Pas. Lenny? or another Chris ?
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I could sense your frustration and disappointment with this back pain. (Do you have any history of sciatic nerve inflammation or is something else?)
Well, when I feel limited by pain I always say to myself what Paul says in Romans “What a wretched woman I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?”
I think we all go through these emotions sometimes.
The sense of pain can be terrible but it is a good sign, don’t ignore it.
Your back is actually telling you something. “Hey Lenny take it easy on that position… pay attention to repetitive movements, don’t overload me, please give me a break! Look at your posture!”
It is painful for a reason.
I just love the way God sees us as a whole (physical, soul and spirit), He sees us as one unit. If one part suffers the rest is affected.
God is not only concern with our spirit, but soul and body. He is concern with Lenny and all the things that concerns to you. I love that psalm that says:
“The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endures for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” Ps 138:8
One of the most difficult challenges for doctors who work with leprosy patients is to remind them of their numbness. They can’t feel pain, so they forget that the affected member is still attached to the rest of the body. Usually it ends up in amputation.
Lack of sensibility is dangerous to the body.
If you are feeling pain, it is a good sign, just listen to your back and give yourself. Take off your watch and rest your back - get healed. Healing is a process and takes time.
Imagine if the church, the body of Christ could at least be aware of the stimulus the “brain” is sending to her from the weakest parts of the body? Wouldn’t she be more effective in bringing His Kingdome and righteousness on earth?
Thank God you have sensibility!!!!, pain is a gift from God.
Please take care of your back and don’t ignore it. I hope to see you well next week.
Physical advices:
Anti inflammatory with codeine;
Heat-(twice a day)-hot water while you are taking a shower could be one choice.
Pads or patches with muscle relaxant can help temporarily.
Avoid standing up for to long;
Relieve your back from stress in the same area.
Stretching exercise (legs up in a bar and band over toward the legs that rests in the bar.
Hang your self in bar and let your weight stretches the spaces between your discs.
If this doesn’t work, you might need an injection of Glicocorticoid.
Spiritual advice:
Ask P. Chris to pray for you. I don’t know why, but when this man prays, things happen, maybe not for himself Ah! Ah! But works for others. I always ask him to pray for me.
P. Jim, P. Ed or Jewel will be a better help then me in straighten your faith.
Hope to see you smiling, lift up your face to the sky, it's a beautiful day, be glad and rejoice! This is the day that the lord has made!!!
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