“Can I have a Band-aid please… Life Hurts?”

 When my boys were little they had this weird fascination with band-aids. I don’t know why, but I couldn’t keep them stocked enough in our house. We were constantly running out. I decided to investigate this mystery. I discovered in my search that my boys had a unique philosophy about band-aids. They thought that anytime they hurt that the band-aid would immediately heal them and take all of the pain away. It was amazing.

I tested the theory several times to be sure. When they would get a bump, bruise, or scratch, they cried their eyes out and immediately stopped the minute the band-aid was placed in position. Wallahhhh… they were healed. I wish it were true! This concept seems a little silly, but some of us see God in the same light. We hurt and therefore we want Him to immediately put a band-aid on it and take away all of the pain.

There have been many times in my life’s journey that I wished this concept was true.  If only I could put a band-aid on it and see it immediately be healed. It would be awesome to see all the hurt go away in a moment. It’s a nice idea, but doesn’t always happen that way. God doesn’t promise to take all of the pain away, but He does promise to walk through it all with us. We are not alone!  He has been there and knows what it means to hurt.

John 16:32-33 says…

“But I'm not abandoned. The Father is with me. I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."

It is inevitable that we will face pain some time in our life time. It could be the pain of a broken relationship, hurtful words, a miscarriage, financial hardship, disease, death, an injustice, or a physical pain that won’t go away. When we face pain, we can most relate to Jesus and how He felt on the cross. He was willing to suffer to do whatever it took to build a bridge for us to get to God.

I’ve faced various types of pain in my lifetime, but a few years ago I experienced extreme physical pain like never before. I had severe stomach pain that wouldn’t go away. I went to every doctor imaginable and each one kept saying we don’t see anything wrong and refer me on to the next.  I felt like I was being sent in circles and nothing was helping. After awhile, my patience ran out. I was vomiting because of all of the pain and on strong pain killers that barely cut the edge off. I remember lying in bed in severe pain one night thinking… Why me????

I didn’t blame God, I just didn’t understand what He was doing. In that moment, I decided that regardless of how I felt that I was going to choose to be thankful.   I was thankful to be alive and thankful that I could be with my family. I determined that if I had to live with this horrid pain forever that  I could do it with God’s help.

After SIX MONTHS, we finally discovered the problem!!!  One of the medicines I was taking for the autoimmune disease I have had a side-effect (in very few people) that caused abdominal pain. A slight change in the dosage fixed it all. A lesson in patience for me I suppose.

I don’t know what kind of pain you are facing today in your life, but the main thing you need to realize is that God has not forgotten you. YOU are not alone!  He is near and wants to walk with you through it all.  No matter how hard things may get, Run TO Him. Keep running to Him when you are hurting, battered, and bruised.  Even when your inclination is to run the other direction entirely (AWAY from God) don't do it!  He loves you dearly friend and wants to be there for you.

I read this quote recently and it really stuck with me...

"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”

~Franklin D. Roosevelt

I remember feeling at times (when I’ve been sick or struggling in the past) like I was hanging from a rope. It felt like it was wearing thin and I was just hanging by a thread. In that moment God reminded me of something.  I was not alone.  He was holding on to the other end of the rope.  I was safe as long as I held tightly on to Him. No matter where you are in life or what you are facing friend… run to God!  Hang on tight and let Him carry you through. With God nothing is impossible! Pray, trust Him, Hang on, and let God take care of the rest. He is faithful!

 “Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, 

they're supposed to help you discover who you are.”

 ~Bernice Johnson Reagon

 May God bless you richly today as you face life’s difficulties with His peace, presence, and patience for the journey.

Living to leave a legacy,

Julie

Prayer:

God, thank you that you are always there for me no mater what.  I know in this world I will face trouble and difficulties.  It is inevitable.  Regardless of what is happening around me or to me… When I am struggling, hurting, and feeling overwhelmed help me to always run to you.  Help me to trust you with all of my pain, hurts, and heartache.  Help me to surrender my fears to you today and rest in your peace.  Help me to remember that I am not alone.  YOU are there to comfort me, heal me, and restore me!  Sink my faith roots deep in You so that I am always ready for whatever comes my way.  I hold tightly on to you God.  You are my anchor through all of life’s storms.  I pray that whatever life may bring me that in the end I am drawn closer to you and become stronger as a result.  I love you today and forever.  Amen.