Peace in the Pitfalls of Life

At times physical infirmities keep us down. It’s part of living in a fallen world where sickness and disease, along with broken bones, or mental or spiritual brokenness, drain and weaken us. We may find it discouraging if we can’t do all that we hoped or planned because we are hospitalized or homebound. Or perhaps we can’t do everything we’d like because we have too much on our ‘to do list’. As a result we are prone to pity.
Has anyone ever joined your pity party?

Most people find reasons to avoid us in such situations. Pouter’s are not fun to be around. They’re ... a drag. Been there, done that! A drag I mean. If people are avoiding us, we might need to check our demeanor during difficulties.

As Christians we must shine brightly for Jesus. Focusing on ourselves diminishes His light within us. That ‘poor me’ attitude stinks. Why, when we know all that Christ suffered on our behalf do we reel at adversity?

What I’m going to share about myself is not to make you to feel sorry for me but in hopes of illuminating God’s gracious love. Over the last year, I’ve had my share of what some would call setbacks. I’ve called it that myself. In fact, to say I’ve had my fill is an understatement. But during this time the Lord has not only been near, but dear to me.

A fractured bone in my right foot and strained tendon early last year, took several months to heal. Right when I started working out at a local gym again, in fact, the first couple minutes the first day of a new Zumba class, I felt a pop at the back of my left leg behind my knee. I couldn’t put weight on it for the pain. Oh great, I thought, the tendon snapped. Instead, it was a ruptured baker’s cyst. I’m thankful, because the healing time was far less than had it been a tendon.

Several days later I was able to walk without crutches.

Come November, soon after getting back on track once again, I realized my suffering wasn’t over when sciatica hit my left side. I’ve had it off and on over the last few years. Thinking it’d be gone in a few weeks, I put off physical therapy (PT). After all, with the holiday season near, there was too much to do to bother.

A month later, the pain hadn’t subsided. It worsened. I finally succumbed to PT. After eight weeks with minimal results from PT, my doctor scheduled an MRI on my lumbar. The MRI showed I have spinal stenosis at L4 & L5 (a narrowing of the spine due to arthritis in the discs), as well as a cyst in the same region, which is pushing against the sciatic nerve.

A lot of waiting during this latest episode has made it challenging; waiting to get an MRI, waiting to see a spinal surgeon. Now, fifteen weeks since the pain started, for an epidural. Next Thursday is the big day. Hurray!—I hope. If the epidural doesn’t work, I’ll have to have surgery to remove the cyst. The surgeon says it won’t take all the pain. We’ll see... In all this the Lord of Host is holding my right hand, and I feel His presence.

I can’t always do what I’d like because of the pain. And I’ve endured a lot over the years, but I’ve learned no matter what we suffer, life is not about what we do. It’s about being. Being still and knowing that He is God. At times circumstances demand our stillness. But whether we quiet our thoughts and focus on Him during these times is a choice. It’s a choice we make when we’re busy, too.

Sarah Young in JESUS CALLING, says, “Quietness and trust enhance your awareness of My Presence with you.” I’ve found that to be true. God is faithful, and he will accomplish His plan for our lives in His time.

My prayer today is that you enjoy His presence. Take a time-out and sit with him awhile. No matter your situation, let the Lord lavish you with love as you rest in Him. He is our peace...


“And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may overshadow me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 MKJV


Have a Blessed Day, Friends ~ Danie