The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2
I have seen horror stricken faces and I’ve gazed into the eyes of crash victims who were looking, searching for someone, anyone to come to them for the emergency care they so badly need. I remember the cries and screams for help from those who suffered traumatic injuries or burns.
These folks didn’t know us from Adam still they placed their lives in our hands and they trusted us to do whatever needed to be done. They also depended on us to get them to a hospital where doctors could continue to work to save their lives.
Some were unaware that they were dying, still others knew that they were close to death, they were the ones who would cling to our every word and touch or grapple to hold our hand. All of our victims seemed to breathe easier just knowing we were there and it gave them the hope they greatly needed to fight for survival.
You see, I was a volunteer with an ambulance squad for a great many years serving residents, visitors and the business community with emergency medical services. Still, it was strangely peculiar at first to see complete stranger's place all their hope, trust and faith in us and to do it without reservations, skepticism or doubt.
These memories came to me recently as I continued my daily battle with my very painful auto-immune diseases. Selfishly I thought to myself, wouldn't it have been better to be diagnosed with a disease that would be painful, but would be to my end sooner than later? How long would I live my life with such great discomfort?
At that precise moment, God stepped into my thoughts and spoke to my heart. Why hadn't I breathed easier knowing I had God on my side? Why wasn't I trusting Him to do whatever needed to be done? Why didn't I depend on Him to guide and care for me? Why wasn't I placing all my hope, trust and faith in Him and without reservation, skepticism or doubts?
Wow, here I was proclaiming to be a "child of God!" Worse, I was telling others to "keep the faith" and "never to give up!" I was encouraging them to trust their problems and illnesses to God. And, yet here I was complaining and telling myself I couldn't take this any longer.
Still, God in His great compassion spoke again to my heart, "Stop, stop punishing and belittling yourself! I see your pain and I will help you!" I just want you to come to me with all of your pain, every moment you need my help! Just, come to me, I Am always here! Breathe easier my child!"
I am still in great pain and I still struggle with it, but I don't battle alone! When the pain is too great for me to bear, I find a quiet place and ask God to help me, to sustain me, to carry me and to bear the burden with me.
And, He does! His love begins to envelop and blanket me! It is then that I find myself singing His love songs and entering into His presence.
It is there I abide and find peace that comforts my soul and body! It is there that I pray for my family and friends to find that same contentment! And, it is there that I breathe easier as I place ALL my hopes, trust and faith!!
I have seen horror stricken faces and I’ve gazed into the eyes of crash victims who were looking, searching for someone, anyone to come to them for the emergency care they so badly need. I remember the cries and screams for help from those who suffered traumatic injuries or burns.
These folks didn’t know us from Adam still they placed their lives in our hands and they trusted us to do whatever needed to be done. They also depended on us to get them to a hospital where doctors could continue to work to save their lives.
Some were unaware that they were dying, still others knew that they were close to death, they were the ones who would cling to our every word and touch or grapple to hold our hand. All of our victims seemed to breathe easier just knowing we were there and it gave them the hope they greatly needed to fight for survival.
You see, I was a volunteer with an ambulance squad for a great many years serving residents, visitors and the business community with emergency medical services. Still, it was strangely peculiar at first to see complete stranger's place all their hope, trust and faith in us and to do it without reservations, skepticism or doubt.
These memories came to me recently as I continued my daily battle with my very painful auto-immune diseases. Selfishly I thought to myself, wouldn't it have been better to be diagnosed with a disease that would be painful, but would be to my end sooner than later? How long would I live my life with such great discomfort?
At that precise moment, God stepped into my thoughts and spoke to my heart. Why hadn't I breathed easier knowing I had God on my side? Why wasn't I trusting Him to do whatever needed to be done? Why didn't I depend on Him to guide and care for me? Why wasn't I placing all my hope, trust and faith in Him and without reservation, skepticism or doubts?
Wow, here I was proclaiming to be a "child of God!" Worse, I was telling others to "keep the faith" and "never to give up!" I was encouraging them to trust their problems and illnesses to God. And, yet here I was complaining and telling myself I couldn't take this any longer.
Still, God in His great compassion spoke again to my heart, "Stop, stop punishing and belittling yourself! I see your pain and I will help you!" I just want you to come to me with all of your pain, every moment you need my help! Just, come to me, I Am always here! Breathe easier my child!"
I am still in great pain and I still struggle with it, but I don't battle alone! When the pain is too great for me to bear, I find a quiet place and ask God to help me, to sustain me, to carry me and to bear the burden with me.
And, He does! His love begins to envelop and blanket me! It is then that I find myself singing His love songs and entering into His presence.
It is there I abide and find peace that comforts my soul and body! It is there that I pray for my family and friends to find that same contentment! And, it is there that I breathe easier as I place ALL my hopes, trust and faith!!
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