Trust in Pain!?

"Remembering my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and bitterness, surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me.  This I recall in my mind, therefore I have hope.  The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning.  Great is Thy faithfulness.

"'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, therefore I have hope in Him.' The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks him.  It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the Lord, it is good for a man that he should bear the yoke in his youth.  Let him sit alone and silent since He has laid it on him.

"Let him put his mouth in the dust, perhaps there is hope.  Let him give his cheek to the smiter; let him be filled with reproach, for the Lord will not reject forever, for if He causes grief, then He will have compassion according to His abundant lovingkindness.  For He does not afflict willingly, or grieve the sons of men." Lamentations 3:19-33

"The first thing we have to do in order to trust God is determine if God is in control, if He is sovereign over the physical area of our lives.  If He is not -- if illness and afflictions 'just happen' -- then, of course, there is no basis for trusting God.  But if God is sovereign in this area, then we CAN trust Him without understanding all the theological issues involved in the problem of pain."*

Please take time this weekend to remember the many on this very prayer list and in your own lives who are suffering with disease and sorrows.  Pain has many benefits and one is that it can bring us together to pray and know the Lord is working His plan for the good of His children -- even when it seems impossible!

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PLEASE NOTE THE PRAYER UPDATES! AND THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO ARE FAITHFUL TO PRAY AND TO KEEP ME UPDATED ON GOD'S PROGRESS!  And for any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:   Adrian's has gone quiet and this is a concern, please pray the Lord quiets his heart and gives him strength to endure whatever steps he now walks.  Give his doctors insight and sensitivity.

NEW PRAYER REQUEST:  Please pray for Maedhros, who is having a serious operation soon.  Please pray for Michael, a man who is humble and without a home or a job who needs a chance to get his life back to normal.  Pray for BG that his blinding headaches will finally stop.

Pray travelling mercies for Jay who is returning home this week.  Please pray for Chester as he continues to struggle through a host of medical challenges and poor care.  Give him energy, strength and resolve.  Bettina needs our prayers to give her strength and wisdom. 

Hans needs employment where he can make an honourable contribution and has applied for a role in a nearby town that could be a healthy step up for him, where he can use his skills.  Help those who receive his resume regard Hans seriously.

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:  Elina has had two wonderful job interviews and thanks everyone for their prayers so far for her as she searches for work. 

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:  Pray for my brother, Tim, that his COPD (cardio-pulmonary artery disease) is manageable for him and that he will have the patience and wisdom to cope with the limitations. 

Baby Saige faces a lifetime of surgeries, procedures and time in hospital.  Please pray for all those who care for her, especially her family.

Please pray for Deepak's wife recovering from treatment for stage-2 breast cancer.  Her chemo is over. 

David R losing his eyesight due to macular degeneration.  I hope to go home to see him before he can no longer see me.  For Audley and Beverly’s situation and his return to the ministry.  For Nancy who is growing stronger and for Fred as he cares for her. 

Pray for Raven as she regains her strength from the cancer treatments.  Patty, who lost her three year old daughter four years ago has sent a most amazing letter of thanksgiving.  She is not 100% but says she is around 85%. 

Prayer update......Scott is doing a little better, he is taking baby steps but he still needs lots of prayers for healing, and ability to think clearly,  he also needs prayers to focus on God which he is NOT doing right now.  He thinks he can do everything himself.

ONGOING JOB RELATED:   Sergio seeking new employment - is in Mexico City.  Paul NS had two special second interviews last week.  At one, the people were not ready and at the other, his sponsor resigned, pray God will grant him clarity, wisdom, hope and a victory.

Deepak needs prayer that his work efforts begin to bear fruit as he works through the grief of his father passing.  He needs strength and resolve to make wise decisions.

For PJ that he may find projects to fill his needs.  Justin B and his father in India need prayer that Justin will find work in his field of BPO and voice in the Lord's perfect time. 

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pray the Lord’s hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read this devotion...that His mighty works would be worked out in each life for His purposes in surprising and wonderful ways!

Elaine and Jim in Hong Kong have begun a new ministry.  Please pray the Father keeps guiding them in their work. 

Isaias & Judith need our continued prayers for protection and good health.  They lead the efforts of Ambassadors for Christ in the Philippines.  The financial needs are so great, please consider contributing...just click on Ambassadors for Christ link above. 

For Linda and Ian.  For Rob and his daughter.  For Reg.  Pray for Annette and Lyle and their wonderful family.  Pray for wisdom for my brother as he deals with an important matter.  For David K, in his studies and Matthew K as he grows up.  

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  Pray for revival in the USA to continue.   Pray for Birgit who is in Germany.  Please pray for the many individuals in Singapore, China and India.  Just recently the WeakDay Devotion blog is being read by many people there!  God is mysterious!  Pray for the Catholic Church and that the new Pope will always put Jesus first.  

* "Trusting God" is copyright protected since 1988 by Jerry Bridges.  All rights are reserved, including translations.  The ISBN is 08910-91742.  I quote carefully and respectfully from his wonderful book.