"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may
receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16 NIV)

When I think of a throne, images from films or storybooks come to my mind. I see
a room where those present are either in awe or in fear of the king seated
before them.

When I find myself seeking the Lord, I visualize the man, Jesus. He is more
recognizable as I know him as a human being who once lived on earth. He is also
my Savior who sent me his Holy Spirit. His Spirit turns my attention to Jesus,
and guides me to him.

Jesus now sits interceding for me at the right hand of his Father, my Creator.
All of God is available to me. I have come to know that he wants me to come to
him, not in fear but with expectation, for he alone knows me in the depths of my
being. He is capable of knowing my deepest longings. Awe of his majesty is
certainly a fitting feeling for me to have.

This verse says, ". . . approach the throne of grace with confidence." As I have
asked God to reign in all parts of my life, then my heart is the place where I
go to draw close to him and find him. It certainly is not a long journey for me
to reach him. I find my King in his splendor making this place where we reside
together a holy sanctuary.

If I have done wrong, he is ready to forgive. If I have known joy, we rejoice
together. If he wants to guide me with his direction for my life, I must be
quiet, listen, and respond as best I can. When my physical or emotional pain is
heavy, he asks that I rest with him. He understands how I feel.

The King and I - what treasured times we share.

Prayer: Thank you, my Lord of lords and King of kings for dwelling within me. I
rejoice that you are spiritually within me. When I choose to seek you, you are
readily found by me. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lynn Severance is a retired elementary classroom teacher. She lives in Lynnwood,
Washington. She writes to encourage others as God has encouraged her during 26
years of living with daily physical challenges.

1 Blessed is the man
        who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
        or stand in the way of sinners
        or sit in the seat of mockers.

  2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
        and on his law he meditates day and night.(Psalm 1:1-2,NIV)

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the
house, and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed." (Mark 1:35 NIV)





Sometimes, it is hard for me to sleep.  I wake up every hour.



In the past, I resented this interruption to my sleep, because rest is crucial
to my well-being.  I found myself frustrated and irritable when I tried,
unsuccessfully, to go back to sleep.



I read or watched the television, until I stopped and meditated on this passage.
I wondered what would happen if I stopped fighting against the insomnia and used
this time as a time of prayer.



The experiment has transformed my life.



The house is silent and free from the frenetic pace of our family.  The
neighborhood is still.  My soul calms down as I accept the fact that the
possibility of sleep is gone.



I am able to free my mind from the endless lists of things to do and enter into
a time of prayer that is unhurried, spontaneous, and open to God.  This
uninterrupted time provides me with opportunity to pray as long as I feel the
need.  I am able to sit silently before God, to respond to the prompting of the
Holy Spirit, and to pray without feeling pressured to rush through a quick
prayer until I have the time to pray properly.



Even on the days when I lose sleep, I find that God always provides me with the
strength and energy I need to get through my day.



As I view the "interrupted" nights as a special opportunity to spend time with
God, I find myself struggling less often and relaxing a little more each time. 
I have even learned to anticipate and enjoy the first rays of sunshine that
announce the new day.



Many of us will find ourselves awake while the rest of the world sleeps.  When
we remember that God neither slumbers nor sleeps (Ps. 121:4), we can use that
time to do like Jesus - get up early, go to a solitary place, and pray.





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the Author:

Dorothea lives in California with her husband and their two teenagers.  Although
she has endured the challenges of several chronic conditions for over 20 years,
she trusts in God's grace to help her get through each day.  You may email her
at: dorothea.love@..., or leave a comment and read some of her other works
at: www.restministriessunroom.ning.com/profile/DorotheaLove

Want Revival? Volunteer.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go
for us?"
       And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"(Isaiah 6:8, NIV)

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the
test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love
him." (James 1:12)

Prairie dresses and bonnet strings flapped in the breeze as three girls ran
barefoot down the trail behind our home.  Our daughter brought the 1800's
pioneer life alive with a home fashioned from a tent, an outdoor church complete
with a hand made cross, and of course, our dog Max, transformed into a pony.

Seeing the girls embrace a bygone era, brought on my own form of nostalgia. 
Memories of healthier times rushed through my mind.  Satisfying days filled with
teaching and night classes.  Needling pain as my sides cramped from running.
Romantic nights savored with my husband.  Talking and interacting with people
all day long.  Memories of every moment of every day being crammed with things I
was able to do.

While it may be healthy at times to take a trip down memory lane, I find I am
with Paul.  He reminds us repeatedly to press on.  "But one thing I do: 
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward
the goal to win the prize for which god has called me heavenward in Christ
Jesus."(Phil. 3:13b-14).

Hanging onto the past keeps me from living contentedly in the present.  I begin
to yearn for what I can not have, and I find myself angry over all the losses. 
It's easier to cope and thrive in a less than healthy body, when I let go of
desiring my old life before illness.  By embracing the present, I am freed to
soar on wings like eagles.

And, isn't that what God desires for each of us?

Prayer:  Father, God, help us to let go of the past and embrace our present. 
Living fully for you, even when that includes illness.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dana Kennedy is a survivor, encourager, wife and mother.  She writes a
devotional column for Glory and Strength e-magazine.  Dana lives with postural
orthostatic tachycardia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia.  Her dream
is to spread God's hope through her life and words.  She and her family make
their home in Liberty, Missouri.  Dana welcomes your contact at 
dtearosee@...

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard
through the word of Christ.(Romans 10:17, NIV)

"Blessed are those whose strength is in You, who have set their hearts on
pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of
springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.  They go from strength to
strength, till each appears before God in Zion."  Psalm 84:5-7

Blessed are those whose strength is in You. I sure am blessed then, for there is
no strength in me this day.  I don't mean to be cavalier about God's strength. 
Not at all.  But this is the type of day where I have to gather my energy just
to pet my cats!  Have you ever had that kind of day?

This Psalm is one of a pilgrim expressing his passion for God's house.  The
first verse reads; "How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!  My soul
yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God."

There are days when I want to go to the dwelling place of the Lord.  I do. Not
really at times of great pain; but more at the times when fatigue is all
encompassing. Like today. My soul does yearn, my body cries out for the living
God.  But I am setting my heart on Pilgrimage. My strength is in Him. I trust,
lean on, put my whole body and it's need for strength in Him.  I walk with His
strength.  I tend to my family, with His strength.  I sit at this computer so
that I can share this with you...in His strength. And I will go from strength to
strength until the time I appear before God.

"As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs." 
Baca is a place of weeping. The meaning of this is that the pilgrim turns his
troubles into blessings.  His weeping becomes joy.  Notice that his joy doesn't
break out when he arrives at the house of God. The joy is with him, on the
journey! Once he has set his heart on pilgrimage, his weeping becomes joy. Even
though he isn't home yet, he knows he is going there. so the journey itself
brings him joy!

Beyond our pain.  Beyond our weakness. In our fear or worry, we can, as an act
of faith, set our hearts on Pilgrimage.  We can have joy for the journey.  Our
weeping can become joy, and blessing. In His strength.
Amen.  Thank you Lord Jesus!

About the Author: Sandra Platt is a Pastor's wife and mother of 2 college kids. 
She lives in Southern Indiana.  She has had Fibromyalgia for 18 years, and since
then have added numerous illness to the list.  She has just been diagnosed with
Progressive M.S.
She lives with the joy of having set her heart on pilgrimage.  You may write to
Sandra at Rest Ministries, and she also has a Sunroom page there

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give
yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in
the Lord is not in vain.(1 Corinthians 15:58, NIV)

"...so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill?
This can be nothing but sadness of heart." I was very much afraid, but I said to
the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the
city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been
destroyed by fire?" The king said to me, "What is it you want?" Then I prayed to
the God of heaven" (Nehemiah 2:2-4 NIV)

Nehemiah was heartsick because he wanted to unite the Jews and remove the shame
of Jerusalem's broken-down walls.  In so doing this would bring honor and glory
to God and restore the reality and power of God's presence among his people.

How many times have we been asked the same question by a friend or family
member?  "Why do you look so sad?"  Out of fear of chastisement or even a
nonchalant response we respond, "I'm not sad, there is nothing wrong, everything
is just fine."   Our heart cries out, "I am so distressed; I am in chronic pain;
everything is going wrong.  There is trouble all around me, there is….."  But
instead we say nothing.

Lately the Lord has been teaching me to share my heart with those who ask.  The
Word of God encourages us to bear one another's burdens.  I realize there are
those who ask how we are feeling or how things are going; in all reality they
really do not want an honest answer.  To them it's a figment of speech; they
really do not want to hear our "woes".  But there are others who are truly
concerned and desire to know how they can pray for us or even assist us in our
time of need.

These past few months have been extremely difficult for my family and me in
numerous ways; at the same time we have been truly blessed as others have voiced
their concern regarding my chronic illness and our needs. Some have even been
able to supply our needs while others continue to storm the gates of heaven with
our requests.

Prayer:  Dear heavenly Father, May we boldly share our needs with one another
and storm Your glorious throne of grace with supplications in love.  In Jesus
name, Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michele Williams currently lives in a small farming community in Pennsylvania
with her husband of 35 years along with one dog and two cats. She enjoys
spending time their beautiful grown daughter, son-in-law and an awesome teenage
grandson.

but those who hope in the LORD
        will renew their strength.
        They will soar on wings like eagles;
        they will run and not grow weary,
        they will walk and not be faint.(Isaiah 40:31, NIV)

"To the One who remembered us in our low estate, His love endures forever,"
(Psalm 136:23)

I have a bad memory. I simply can't remember things the way I used to.
Oftentimes, I group things in threes to help me remember. Sometimes, it works.
Other times, I still forget.

At church tonight, we sang, "So remember your people, remember your children,
remember your promise, O God." Then and there, I thanked God for remembering.
When I was yet a sinner, when I was yet forgettable, God remembered me. I was
helpless and could not on my own stand before a Holy God. I could do nothing to
save myself or to earn His love. Yet he remembered me. He saw my sinfulness, my
need for a Savior. He sent Jesus - his one and only perfect Son - to die and
bring me forever unto Him. God remembered me.

More than two thousand years later, God continues to remember me. His thoughts
toward me outnumber the grains of sand (Psalm 139:17-18). He doesn't forget me.
Instead, he's continually thinking about me. My pain, my sadness, my fear. He
keeps me in His memory.

He is also moved to help me, just as He was moved to save me. When pain
overpowers me, God remembers me with His strength. When sadness plagues me, God
remembers me with His joy. When fear overwhelms me, God remembers me with His
peace. God remembers me with love.

Sometimes, I don't have much to offer. No strength. No joy. No peace. Other
times, I myself want to forget. God still remembers.

Sometimes, family and friends forget. No calls. No letters. No visits. But God
still remembers. He continues thinking. He continues loving. He continues
saving.

My low estate. My brokenness. My forgetfulness. Thank God, He still remembers.

Prayer: Father, thank you for remembering me on the cross, and thank you for
remembering me in my pain. Help me not to forget that you always remember. Amen.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Daphne is a thirty-something freelance writer and speaker who comforts others
with the comfort she herself has received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). She is
a leader in a Christ-centered recovery program and is daily learning to believe
God through all of her physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Contact
Daphne at daphne@....

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of
righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,(Romans 14,17, NIV)

"Stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel
without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you" Philippians 1:27
(NIV).

Everything I know about football I've learned from my husband, an avid fan. (A
friend said recently, "Beth, you know more about football than any woman
should!") But I've come to enjoy it, especially when our team is playing. And
I'm not the first to see the game as an analogy to life. The bruising conflict,
the grit and grapple of the gridiron, find an easy parallel in living with
chronic illness.

We train under our heavenly Coach, by meditating on His Word. And we engage in
the contest under His leadership. He assigns our responsibilities, and we soon
learn we are facing a powerful opponent in the field. The game of life is not
easy. We may muff a play, or miss an opportunity to move forward. But the Coach
is gracious and continues to work with us in our limitations.

Sometimes it may seem that victory is out of reach, but it is a blessing to know
we're not in this alone–even though it may feel so at times. A boost that brings
new gains often comes through the support of team mates. And the cheers of those
who watch our efforts and shout encouragement can energize us to keep going.

There will be times when we're stopped and stunned in our progress, and
sidelined by pain. But being out of the fray can have a positive dimension. A
refreshing drink from the Scriptures, perhaps a pause to reflect on our options,
words of hope from friends, can be therapeutic treasures. And our determination
to break through and make new gains can be restored. So, as Hebrews puts it,
"Let us...go on!" (Hebrews 6:1).

Prayer:  Lord, thank You for being such a wise and understanding Coach. As I
face the struggle with stubborn ailments, I need You every moment of the day. I
choose to keep on going until I hear Your, "Well done!" and share in the
celebration of final victory.

________________________________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Beth Cottrill lives in a small town in rural Saskatchewan, Canada, with her
retired pastor/teacher husband, Bob, an avid football fan. She finds living with
Attention Deficit Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, depression,
osteo-arthritis and a stroke of several years ago a challenge, but also training
for a ministry to others. She loves animals, music, scrap booking, making cards
and, last but not least, being a grandma.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.(Luke 12:34, NIV)

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust
in you," (Psalm 143:8a NIV)

I turned over in bed. My eyes struggled to open after a sound night's sleep. Was
it time to wake up? The light shining through my window said so. I lay still,
staring through the sheer canopy up at the ceiling. Then I heard them. Birds.
Chirping. Singing. Minutes at a time. I closed my eyes as a smile escaped my
lips.

I lay there several minutes absorbing their charming sounds. God knew I had been
on medical leave from work for more than two months and that I myself was
growing concerned. About my health. About my job. About my finances. But on this
morning, I allowed myself to float away with the captivating songs of the
messengers outside my window.

In the middle of their songs, God brought to my memory word of his unfailing
love: "Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or
barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!" (Luke
12:24). What a sweet reminder! He would care for me today. I didn't need to
worry. Not about my health. Not about my job. Not about my finances. Nothing. He
would provide for me - just as He does for those charming birds. Every day.

As I lay there, birds calling their mates, I too called on my beloved Savior. On
this morning, I would trust Him. Whatever my circumstance, I knew He would not
leave me (Psalm 37:25). I too would praise Him for providing. For caring. For
bending down from heaven to comfort, to strengthen, to love.

Night would come again, but morning would surely follow. Whether with singing
birds or another messenger altogether, God undoubtedly would bring in the
morning … word of His unfailing love.

Prayer: Father, thank you for reminding me that your love never fails. Thank you
for providing for me. Help me to trust you today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Daphne is a thirty-something freelance writer and speaker who comforts others
with the comfort she herself has received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). She is
a leader in a Christ-centered recovery program and is daily learning to believe
God through all of her physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Contact
Daphne at daphne@....

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is
patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to
repentance.( 2 Peter 3:9, NIV)

1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my
Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am
going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for
you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I
am.(John 14:1-3, NIV)

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil,  and he will
flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.
(James 5: 7 & 8 NIV)

In serving those with Chronic Pain through ministry I have noticed
that this is the time of year that so many get depressed and down.
The holidays are are fast approaching us.  Money may be short.
Memories from the past that are painful may be haunting, or some
have relationships with family or friends that are in dire trouble.

Where does one turn to in a world such as we live in today? With
the economy the way it is and the NEWS broadcasting sadness,
crime and the lack of peace... one may have the tendency to be
down and feel a lack of hope.

Dear friends our hope is in the Lord. When we draw nigh unto the
Lord He has promised us in His Word that He will draw night unto
us. We must resist those things that fill our minds with trouble and
turmoil because we know they are not of God.

Leave God's Word sitting near your favorite chair and every time
you feel a negative thought of lack or fear... pick up your Bible and
let it speak to your heart. God will speak to you through His
precious Word. He will comfort you and give you peace in times
that are troubling, and through your physical and emotional pain.

Let us look forward to the days and holidays ahead, being thankful
that we have a God that loves us and cares for us, a God that will
never leave or forsake us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Pastor Nancy Dittert  (Founder of Fibro/Chronic Pain
Support Group Ministry) lives in a Berm home in Rural
Central Iowa with her husband & soul mate Patrick.
Nancy lives with Severe Fibromyalgia, Absence Seizures
and Neuropathy. She is still actively involved as a Christian
freelance writer and works full time in Chronic Pain Ministry
through the Internet. Write Nancy at... nancierose@...
and visit her Chronic Pain Web Site at...
http://Fibromyalgiahelp.homestead.com/index.html

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power,
together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is
the love of Christ,  and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you
may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17b-19
NIV)

Have you ever wondered if God's love is really all you need?   Is it really
enough to get you through those very tough times in your life?  Is God's love a
constant?  Is there anywhere that God's love cannot reach?

There are times when I struggle.  I struggle to make sense of what is happening
to me, or around me.  Struggle knowing what is the right thing to do in the
circumstances.  Wondering if there is anyone who really understands or knows how
I am feeling.

But knowing the love of God, is what makes it possible for me to go on.  Knowing
that God will be there with me to face whatever today, or tomorrow brings and
knowing that God's love cannot be lost by any mistakes that I make, makes me
able to get up and face a new day, each and every day.

As humans we show love to one another, but we also do things to other people
that aggravate, hurt or upset them.  Because we are human, we will keep on doing
that.  Our relationships with other people are always flawed, even though in our
own way, we may love them.

God loves us no matter what we do, we cannot be outside of God's love.  His love
is all-encompassing and we cannot escape from it.

I love Renee Bondi's book, The Last Dance but Not the Last Song, where she says
about the above verses :

"God's love is complete.

It is wide – covering all our experiences and reaching out to the whole world.
It is long – continuing the length of our lives.
It is high – rising to the heights of our joy and celebration.
It is deep – reaching to the depths of our despair and hopelessness.

When you feel cut off or alone, remember that you can never be outside of God's
love."


God's love is truly complete.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia.  She is thankful for the difference
God makes in her life as she lives with chronic pain.  She enjoys finding time
for writing, travel and photography.

Trust in him at all times, O people;
        pour out your hearts to him,
        for God is our refuge.
        Selah (Psalm 62:8,NIV)

"Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed;  save me and I will be saved, for you
are the one I praise."  (Jer. 17:14NIV)

It's raining leaves.  Swirls of color drifting to the ground.  Part of me enjoys
this changing of the guard, this changing of the seasons.  Part of me wants to
take Elmer's glue and paste everything back in place to hold off the coming
winter.

I've been wanting to fix a lot of things lately.  Not just the toilet that
overflowed yesterday, but myself.  Like the falling leaves, my body has been on
a downward motion recently.  More fatigue and more pain.

Thankfully, we have a Savior who understands.  He came to fix us.  Not
necessarily to heal our physical bodies, although He does do that sometimes.  
He came to save us from ourselves, from sin, to reconcile us to Himself.

When I want the healing that just doesn't come, I am reminded that in the most
important way, I am healed.  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation;  the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor. 5:17)  I get not just a
re-do, but a fresh beginning, with Him.  I am spiritually healed.


He is our supreme fixer.  No matter the season you are going through, He has a
plan and a purpose for your life.  He will take the falling parts of your life
and mold them into a glorious tapestry.  Some parts healed, others not.

Give it all to Him today.  Let Him heal your brokenness.

Prayer:  Father God, take our broken bodies and heal them according to what is
best for your glory and not our own.  Give us the strength to hold up and thrive
under great burdens.  Amen.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dana Kennedy is a survivor, encourager, wife and mother.  She writes a
devotional column for Glory and Strength e-magazine.  Dana lives with postural
orthostatic tachycardia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia.  Her dream
is to spread God's hope through her life and words.  She and her family make
their home in Liberty, Missouri.  Please contact Dana at dtearosee@...

Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed;  save me and I will be saved, for you are
the one I praise."  (Jer. 17:14NIV)

It's raining leaves.  Swirls of color drifting to the ground.  Part of me enjoys
this changing of the guard, this changing of the seasons.  Part of me wants to
take Elmer's glue and paste everything back in place to hold off the coming
winter.

I've been wanting to fix a lot of things lately.  Not just the toilet that
overflowed yesterday, but myself.  Like the falling leaves, my body has been on
a downward motion recently.  More fatigue and more pain.

Thankfully, we have a Savior who understands.  He came to fix us.  Not
necessarily to heal our physical bodies, although He does do that sometimes.  
He came to save us from ourselves, from sin, to reconcile us to Himself.

When I want the healing that just doesn't come, I am reminded that in the most
important way, I am healed.  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation;  the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor. 5:17)  I get not just a
re-do, but a fresh beginning, with Him.  I am spiritually healed.


He is our supreme fixer.  No matter the season you are going through, He has a
plan and a purpose for your life.  He will take the falling parts of your life
and mold them into a glorious tapestry.  Some parts healed, others not.

Give it all to Him today.  Let Him heal your brokenness.

Prayer:  Father God, take our broken bodies and heal them according to what is
best for your glory and not our own.  Give us the strength to hold up and thrive
under great burdens.  Amen.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dana Kennedy is a survivor, encourager, wife and mother.  She writes a
devotional column for Glory and Strength e-magazine.  Dana lives with postural
orthostatic tachycardia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia.  Her dream
is to spread God's hope through her life and words.  She and her family make
their home in Liberty, Missouri.  Please contact Dana at dtearosee@...

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let
yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.(Galatians 5:1, NIV)

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though
the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep
in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,  yet I will rejoice in the LORD,  I will
be joyful in God my Savior.  The Sovereign LORD is my strength." (Habakkuk
3:17-19 NIV)

People often comment about my smile.  I seem to smile a lot and that's often
what people notice most about me.  A lady I met when travelling some years ago,
said she thought I smiled so much, I must even smile in my sleep!

Smiling seems to come naturally to me, but I know too, that I sometimes smile
because I am nervous, insecure, or even if I can't remember someone's name.  So
sometimes its like a mask.

When people find out that I live with chronic pain, they sometimes say about how
they never guessed because they see me smiling.  Some people even ask how I can
smile when I am putting up with such pain.  They say I don't look like I'm in
pain.

Whilst I might continue to smile, there are many days when I don't feel I have
much to smile about.  Things I can't do anymore, things that just seem so
difficult.  There may be lots of things going on in my life that would make me
feel I don't want to smile – but I still have an overwhelming reason to smile.

God gives me a reason to smile – a reason to feel joyful, even in the face of
pain – He is the one in control of my life.  He has promised to never ask me to
go though more than I can bear and promised to always be there beside me, no
matter what I am going through.

My face can be the first thing people notice about me.  I want my life and my
face, to greet them with something that reflects the hope I have, even in the
midst of my pain.

Prayer:  Father God, may we find a reason to smile today, even in the midst of
sickness or pain, because of the hope we have in You. Amen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia.  She is thankful for the difference
God makes in her life as she lives with chronic pain.  She enjoys finding time
for writing, travel and photography.

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I
do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,(Philippians
3:13,NIV)

"Greet one another with a holy kiss." (Rom. 16:16 NIV)

Living with Chronic Pain on a daily basis is never
easy.   At  times we feel we are so very alone in our
illnesses, even when we have precious loved ones
and dear friends that support us.

My husband Pat and I hold services at a nursing
home on Sunday nights.  We have become so
attached to these beloved elderly people. How
much they bless our souls.

I use my electric scooter while I am there so they
know I am too disabled as many of them are.  I
feel like they can really relate knowing that I have
a tough time getting around. Most of them are either
in wheel chairs or walkers.

Pastor Pat and I greet each person individually
with a handshake or a hug and a greeting right
before we begin the service.

We had a new member to attend yesterday and
his humility and love touched my heart as he took
my hand and kissed it. It was easy to see that his
condition was fairly serious. His poor little hands
and arms were crippled up. He had such a lovely
smile on his face as he greeted me. God's love
truly glowed on his face.

This was such a beautiful insight to me that no
matter what our condition, we can always allow
God's precious love to shine through to others,
even though we are suffering. God is always in
us and can always flow through us to others.

The LORD bless you, and keep you:
The LORD make his face shine upon
you, and be gracious unto you:
The LORD lift up his countenance
upon you, protect you and give you
peace.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Pastor Nancy Dittert  (Founder of Fibro/Chronic Pain
Support Group Ministry) lives in a Berm home in Rural
Central Iowa with her husband & soul mate Patrick.
Nancy lives with Severe Fibromyalgia, Absence Seizures
and Neuropathy. She is still actively involved as a Christian
freelance writer and works full time in Chronic Pain Ministry
through the Internet. Write Nancy at... nancierose@...
and visit her Chronic Pain Web Site at...
http://Fibromyalgiahelp.homestead.com/index.html