Life on the Hill

Those firey trials which are to try you (Or Thank you Lord for the pain)

The Lord has brought me through a firey trial in the last year, and I have learned much of Him and of me and still stuggle with the thorn left in the flesh.  2007 started with a downward spiral of my health.  Now I have taken care of sick people my whole life, been sick a few times myself, but this is something different.  Upper abdominal pain - severe- that doesn't go away.  I went to MD's here in Montgomery, Birmingham, and Atlanta, but no one could tell me what it was or what could treat it.  Over the first 5 months of the year, I lost my energy to the point I was on the couch or bed all but about 4 hours a day, was losing 5 lbs a month and developed joint pain from head to toe.  I truly knew what it was like to be in constant pain.   during this same time I became ill, my brother was diagnosed with Crohn's disease.  My family was now having to take care of me instead of my taking care of them.

During the onset of this condition, the Lord taught me many lessons as well as using my condition to teach others lessons.  My Dear friend Pam taught me to thank the Lord for the pain.  Seems strange doesn't it ....to thank him for hurting worse than I have ever hurt and it just doesn't stop?  But the Bible says to know Jesus is to know the fellowship of his sufferings.  And I know that nothing in a child of God's life happens by accident ,,,there is always a reason for it ....even if he never chooses to reveal it to us.  So I knew there was a reason and a purpose for the pain and I thanked Him for it.  I also learned to praise him no matter what.

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is , the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate (share) forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
 
 
Isn't that just wonderful?!
One of the lessons Jesus is teaching me through all this I have been through this year is just to praise Him.  I wish I could say it the way I feel it.
Praise Him
When you feel so dry.
Praise Him
When you can't feel Him
Praise Him
When you are caught in the storm
Praise HIm
When you are consumed with pain
Praise Him
When you open your eyes in the morning
Praise Him
When you lay your head down at night
Praise Him
When you sorrow
Praise Him
When you can't sleep at night
Praise Him
When you can feel your sin
Praise Him
When you can't see HIs Face ---Look up from yourself and PRAISE HIM
The more life pulls you down ---Lift up your arms and PRAISE HIM
No matter what -- He is worthy of our praise!

random blogging....

10:58 PM, Jun. 17, 2008 .. Posted by OldPathsMom

Just wanted to say that I have had the EXACT same symptoms you describe, off and on for years. The pain I get is in my upper left quadrant of my abdomen, under my rib cage. After countless tests - CT scan, X-rays, upper/lower gi, labs, etc, my dr finally concluded that was nerve damage from carrying twins. Not sure if your pain could be related to any such trauma to the body but figured I'd share my diagnosis. I'm glad you found something to help you feel better!