Tag: suffering

Faith, Jesus, Christ, Bible, Bible Verses, chronic illness, covid, hope, blessings

Peace; and Freedom in Disguise?

On By PhillippiIn Other2 Comments

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. -Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Well, it happened. Four years of dodging Covid, one of my biggest fears, and all four of us are positive. To many, this fear may feel unfounded, but for a family living with chronic illness, it can be terrifying. It’s not the short-term I’ve been so fearful of, but rather long-covid, because I know what that feels like. That’s my life already-the unbearable daily fatigue and suffering. So yes, a double dose of long-covid symptoms is terrifying.

Not only have I been concerned about myself, but our youngest as well. Yet tonight, after reading the positive home tests in our hotel room, three days after illness struck us, a wave of peace has washed over me and settled-a peace only He can give. Peace is something I’ve experienced some of, but not enough of. I’ve literally been ridden with anxiety ever since this virus reared it’s ugly head in 2019. But, as much as I’ve scrupulously tried to control us not getting Covid, it’s completely out of my hands. It’s absolutely beyond it.

Now, I know we are not supposed to fear, but the truth is, I struggle sometimes with pretty significant anxiety, and it’s been incredibly difficult not to fear. To be completely honest, I have often succumbed to it. Tonight though, with His peace, he’s giving me another opportunity-an opportunity to walk in faith and trust Him, despite these circumstances we find ourselves in.

If I look at this right, maybe this too, is a blessing in disguise-freedom from bondage, because I’ve literally been in bondage to this virus since the first few cases broke out. Maybe this is an opportunity to strengthen my faith and finally walk in peace, knowing all is well, in spite of the trials we are facing.

*and how timely that our weekly memory verse for homeschool this week was this…

do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. -Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭10‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

God is always right on time.

Lean in, Hold Tightly, Take the Plunge

On By PhillippiIn Faith and Trusting God, Hope and Strength2 Comments

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. -2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. -John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Have you ever thought that God may be allowing the difficulties in our lives to shape us, strengthen our faith, and learn to trust him in the hard? What if it’s all ultimately for good?

The apostle Paul tells the Philippians that nothing pales in comparison to knowing Christ-that this is what matters. Maybe what we are experiencing right now, as tough as it may be, is there to teach us something, to help our faith mature, and our relationship with God to flourish in ways we wouldn’t be able to learn or grow otherwise. It may not be what we want to hear, but we must ask ourselves this question honestly-if everything in life was easy, and our days went seamlessly smooth, would we be reaching and grasping ahold of God like we are in these incredibly challenging trials? God knows what He’s doing, even when all may feel hopeless.

Let us not give up hope, for the one we seek is faithful to continue His good work in us! Let’s use this time wisely, these especially difficult days, and instead of giving up hope, let’s lean in even more closely and not just take a dip-but dive head first into His Word. He has much to teach us and He wants to give us an abundant and prosperous life.

Remember, even when life is unbelievably tough, He is the Prince of peace and this gift of peace is one only he can give. It’s a peace that can exist even when our circumstances are anything but peaceful. So, lean in, take that plunge into His Word, and hold tightly to the One who’s got you!

More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. -Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. -Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Whirlwind Desert Walk

On By PhillippiIn Chronic Illness, Lyme, and Mold, Faith and Trusting God, Surrender and Acceptance7 Comments

It’s been a whirlwind of a past few days—er or years. I haven’t written much about about our family recently, but to be honest, we are still walking in the wilderness. We left Alaska a few months ago, after struggling with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/Environmental Illness.

Our youngest and I were especially ill, but all four of us were definitely not well-so much so, we thought death was knocking on our door if we didn’t get out before winter hit.

This wasn’t new to us. As mentioned in previous posts, we left a home with toxic mold in 2018 after it made us extremely sick. It’s been five years since we left that nightmare, yet that was really only the beginning. We are still being affected, having become hypersensitive to not only mold, but other environmental toxins that plague cities and small towns alike. Finding clothing, bedding, and household items that we can tolerate without too many chemicals is a whole other challenge in and of itself that we deal with constantly. It has been very difficult to tolerate conventional housing and we’ve had to move more times than I can count in the past five years, trying to find air that we can stand to breath and housing livable enough for us. Our world has become so toxic, most aren’t even aware of the number of chemicals and toxins we are taking in at one time, and how it’s affecting our health. For us and our doctors though, it has become obvious.

For the past few months, we have been going downhill health-wise, but the kicker was on Friday. On that day, our youngest and I were so ill at our cabin in Utah. We watched the air quality climb to the unhealthy number of 150. It was our bodies though, taking in those toxins, that were the first to notice. And boy, did they take notice of that poison.

This poison settles in the valleys of Utah, holding the pollution down and appearing like L.A. on a bad day. Apparently, these inversions are common in the winter in Utah, something we weren’t aware of when we felt God leading us there to heal. We still aren’t sure when that healing will come.

It’s now Monday evening, and I sit here writing from a hotel room in Idaho, three hours from our other temporary dwelling that we “have” until May. Our youngest and my husband appear to have possibly just come down with the flu and I do not know what tomorrow will bring. To say we have answers for why we are in this situation or place, is an understatement. Maybe it is just not for us to know. We have no idea why we were brought to Utah or why we are still unwell.

I liken our situation a teensy bit to a refugee fleeing a war, only we are fleeing a war on our bodies, and a civilization that is literally poisoning itself. This week, it’s Idaho. We’ve been here for four days and we are heading back to Utah soon, the place where we have not been feeling “well”. Our next move? We have no clue. What I do know is that I’m fearful of us going back to that cabin and feeling awful again, however, I am going to continue to walk in faith and pray for health and healing for our bodies, as well as our next steps. I will continue to work to build the Kingdom of God, and I will be grateful for the extra funds we received from our taxes just in time to use for some relief in a hotel for a few days. I will continue to do my best to walk in love even when life is chaotic and stressful. And I will continue to stand on the scriptures below.

Will you join me in praying for health, healing, finances to be able to afford this desert walk, and housing and clean air our family can thrive in please? Thank you for lifting us up!

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. -2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
‭‭-Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. -Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Fuel Your Walk Friday

On By PhillippiIn Fuel Your Walk Friday, Hope and Strength2 Comments

Fuel your walk with some Jesus and Joe.

I love Jesus and I love me an iced cuppa fresh cold brew halved with vanilla almond milk. What better way to combine the two and perk up the beginning of your weekend, than to “Fuel Your Walk” with some Jesus and Joe. Once a week, I will be posting a little snippet, thought, quote or question to ponder in relation to your walk with Christ. So grab your favorite mug, pour yourself a delicious cuppa Joe and get comfy as you let this question percolate in your mind:

“We can be tired, weary and emotionally distraught, but after spending time alone with God, we find that He injects into our bodies energy, power and strength.” -Charles Stanley

Are you letting God inject you with His goodness? How will you spend time with Him today?

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. -Isaiah 40:29

It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. -Psalm 18:82

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come. -Proverbs 31:25

Truth-Filled Hope

On By PhillippiIn Hope and Strength2 Comments

‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death.’ (Isaiah 25:8) And there will be no more sadness. There will be no more crying or pain. Things are no longer the way they used to be. He who was sitting on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down. You can trust these words. They are true.”
‭-Revelation‬ ‭21:4-5‬

At a time when my family is experiencing so much loss while also trying to navigate the uncertainty that lies ahead, I’m going to hold onto this gem-this hope from His Word. As Christians, we have this truth to look forward to. Though we experience many trials and tribulations here on this earth, He is making everything new. We can grasp tightly, this promise, from our Almighty God. And while it may not feel like it as we walk through the fire, rest assured that God’s got us and He is refining us. Day by day, He is renewing us, as He’s got everything under control.

So let us meditate on the hope He gives us in Revelation 21:4-5, knowing that He has it all in His hands, and that our real future is with Our Father. We can look forward to a new life without sickness, tears, heartache, or brokenness. In the meantime, while we wait for that day to come, let’s keep our eyes on Him, our Hope, and not lose heart.

“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.”
‭‭-2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:16-17‬ ‭‬‬

Fuel Your Walk Friday

On By PhillippiIn Fuel Your Walk Friday1 Comment

Fuel your walk with some Jesus and Joe.

I love Jesus and I love me an iced cuppa fresh cold brew halved with vanilla almond milk. What better way to combine the two and perk up the beginning of your weekend, than to “Fuel Your Walk” with some Jesus and Joe. Once a week, I will be posting a little snippet, thought, quote or question to ponder in relation to your walk with Christ. So grab your favorite mug, pour yourself a delicious cuppa Joe and get comfy as you let this question percolate in your mind:

Edmund Clowney said, “Trials should not surprise us, or cause us to doubt God’s faithfulness. Rather, we should actually be glad for them. God sends trials to strengthen our trust in him so that our faith will not fail.”

How is your attitude towards God when the trials of life hit?

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.-James 1:2-3

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. -1 Peter 1:6-7

Fuel Your Walk Friday

On By PhillippiIn Fuel Your Walk Friday2 Comments

Fuel your walk with some Jesus and Joe.

I love Jesus and I love me an iced cuppa fresh cold brew halved with vanilla almond milk. What better way to combine the two and perk up the beginning of your weekend, than to “Fuel Your Walk” with some Jesus and Joe. Once a week, I will be posting a little snippet, thought, or question to ponder in relation to your walk with Christ. So grab your favorite mug, pour yourself a delicious cuppa Joe and get comfy as you let this question percolate in your mind:

Charles Stanley said, “Our heavenly Father understands our disappointment, suffering, pain, fear, and doubt. He is always there to
encourage our hearts and help us
understand that He’s sufficient for all of
our needs. When I accepted this as an
absolute truth in my life, I found that my
worrying stopped.”

Have you accepted this truth?

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:19

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? -Matthew 6:25-34

Fuel Your Walk Friday

On By PhillippiIn Fuel Your Walk FridayLeave a comment

Fuel your walk with some Jesus and Joe.

I love Jesus and I love me an iced cuppa fresh cold brew halved with vanilla almond milk. What better way to combine the two and perk up the beginning of your weekend, than to “Fuel Your Walk” with some Jesus and Joe. Once a week, I will be posting a little snippet, thought, or question to ponder in relation to your walk with Christ. So grab your favorite mug, pour yourself a delicious cuppa Joe and get comfy as you let this question percolate in your mind:

Corrie Ten Boom said, “When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit
still and trust the engineer.”

Are you trusting our Engineer in the darkness, as well as the light?

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. -Psalm 112:7

Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you. -Psalm 33:20-22

Fuel Your Walk Friday

On By PhillippiIn Fuel Your Walk FridayLeave a comment

Fuel your walk with some Jesus and Joe.

I love Jesus and I love me an iced cuppa fresh cold brew halved with vanilla almond milk. What better way to combine the two and perk up the beginning of your weekend, than to “Fuel Your Walk” with some Jesus and Joe. Once a week, I will be posting a little snippet, thought, or question to ponder in relation to your walk with Christ. So grab your favorite mug, pour yourself a delicious cuppa Joe and get comfy as you let this question percolate in your mind:

“Sometimes, the best medicine is to rest
and let God do the fighting for you.” -Dr. Michelle Bengtson

Are you letting Him nourish and replenish you?

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. -Matthew 11:28

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God: my hope comes from him.” -Psalm 62:5

“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.” -John 16:33

Fuel Your Walk Friday

On By PhillippiIn Fuel Your Walk FridayLeave a comment

Fuel your walk with some Jesus and Joe.

I love Jesus and I love me an iced cuppa fresh cold brew halved with vanilla almond milk. What better way to combine the two and perk up the beginning of your weekend, than to “Fuel Your Walk” with some Jesus and Joe. Once a week, I will be posting a little snippet, thought, or question to ponder in relation to your walk with Christ. So grab your favorite mug, pour yourself a delicious cuppa Joe and get comfy as you let this question percolate in your mind:

“The phrase ‘do not be afraid’ is written in the bible 365 times. That’s a daily reminder from God to live every day being fearless. -Unknown

Will you hold onto fear or trust God and choose to live fearlessly?

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. -John 14:27

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. -Isaiah 41:13