Thankful Even in Illness
This year was full of health struggles in our family. We are thankful all is well now, and life has resumed as normal. But when our loved ones were struggling, we were put to the test. For myself, I had excruciating back pain until the Lord brought the right doctor to give me back surgery. The constant pain mixed with a myriad of emotions made me feel like I was in a whirlwind. Daily, I had to remind myself the Lord saw what I was going through and He would sustain me. Every day, I had a choice to make: I could sit in my chair all day, watching tv, sleeping, changing ice packs, moaning, and focusing on my circumstances, or I could dig into the Scripture and find His promises for healing and thankfulness. While it was difficult to be thankful when I was in so much pain, I chose to read books to keep a positive, faith-filled attitude. A friend suggested I read a book about the miracles on Azusa Street from 1906 to1915. With each page, I marveled at the abounding miracles. My faith, attitude, and heart focused less on what I was enduring and more on the Lord.
Daily I prayed for a miraculous healing and God worked through a doctor’s skilled hands to bring about the healing I prayed for. Later as I recalled the ordeal, I sensed God’s presence was with me the entire time. George stayed by my side, caregiving (even when I became melodramatic, pulled the sheets over my head, and screamed at the top of my lungs!). Our family surrounded me with love and care; friends rallied around me, brought meals, and drove me to appointments; and many people prayed for me. The Lord’s love surrounded me. He never left me, just as Scripture promises. After the recovery, I journaled all the blessings.
This month we celebrate Thanksgiving. Some people are preparing meals for family, some are meeting up with friends or neighbors, and some are taking their Thanksgiving Day to minister to the lonely and forgotten. This is a great time to get our thoughts off our own troubles and focus on others. As we minister love, compassion, and blessings, we become refreshed and renewed.
For our family, Thanksgiving is a day to recount and share all the Lord has done for us. This year for “Table Talk” we are using the Lord’s Prayer. It will guide our discussions by giving examples of each line of the Psalm.
“Because the Lord is my Shepard, I have everything I need!
He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors him the most.
Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.
You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies. You have welcomed me as your guest; blessings overflow!
Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all the days of my life, and afterwards I will live with you forever in your home.”
Psalm 23 TLB
We will thank Him for faithfully supplying all our needs. We will share how we rested in His arms during difficult times and how He provided us with strength (2 Corinthians 5:7). We will share how the Lord gave us hope through His presence and guidance, even amid our physical and mental battles. We will share how quiet moments with Him sustained us and read the scriptures He gave us to fight and win against the enemy. Finally, we will praise Him for His blessings, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and love. As we read in Psalm 73:23,“You hold me by Your right hand.” Only He can turn our darkness into Light (John 1:5).
This Thanksgiving, I hope you will thank the Lord for all He has done for you and your family. I pray your Thanksgiving opens your eyes to our magnificent Heavenly Father.
Let’s pray.
Lord, I have so much to be thankful for because of You. Your blessings outnumber the stars in the sky, and they will never cease until I am in eternity with You. Help me be aware of all You do in sweet times and difficult times. You are the Ever-Present, Ever-Loving God. Thank You that I am Your child and Your love for me is unceasing. Amen.
