“For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling;” Palm 27:5

Ever been sick and tired of being sick and tired? Waking up in the middle of the night for the fourth time, I swallowed… and reality startled my senses. My throat was so sore that just swallowing became an involuntary act of punishment. But how do I NOT swallow? KNOWING the pain that was coming, I was powerless to stop it. Then embarrassment settled in! Which made me feel even worse!

Remembering several people in my church who are going through things that are SO much worse than what I have, made me feel unworthy of even reflecting on my own stuff. What I have is some kind of cold. Having no actual ‘tough-guy’ monitor to determine how well I am doing with my own sickness, I can only feel like the worlds biggest wimp! I am sick and tired of even being in this valley. I cringe when my wife asks, “how are you feeling?” I hate even bothering her with the truth again! After all, my trouble assuredly brings HER trouble because, we are in this together.

I know people who are right now facing the loss of a parent through a long illness. Having lived through that process myself, I am reminded of that old familiar pain. All I can do is what I am led to do… I PRAY! I also know people who are battling cancer, and other diseases, that bring about MUCH larger trouble and pain than what I am going through. Which reminds me of my own mortality, making it a little frightening to even think about how THEY must feel. So inside I groan again… in PRAYER… that God will give THEM the power of His presence through their suffering as well.

Looking back, I didn’t really see ‘prayer for others’ as a positive result from my own wimpiness. But it happened! Knowing the Bible, I see that God CAN and DOES use ANYTHING to bring about His love and care into someone else’s difficulty. It is a way He ministers to His people.

In the end, everything is going to be all right. One day I will be in heaven with all those fellow believers, where will never be any sickness, sorrow or death again. I am reminded that it is a blessing that He resides with me.. even now… WITHIN the difficulties of life. No matter how big or small they come.