Change of Plans — Again!

I don't talk much about my life with chronic pain. However, sometimes people ask questions, so I try to answer them. One aspect of chronic pain, that I often struggle with, is scheduling and commitments. 

I am a planner. I like to have things on the calendar, so that I can prepare and be ready for the events of any given day. Yet, there are days that my pain/headache do not take into consideration what is on my schedule. 

Today, was "one of those days". I had planned to fulfill a commitment (that had already had to be rescheduled from last week). Yet, this morning, I awoke with a severe headache. Worse than usual. I started the "headache routine" that involves, meds, essential oils, ice packs, trigger points. 

As I waited for the headache to lessen, I had to make a decision. Could I fulfill the commitment this morning? 

Yes, I could— BUT would it be the smart thing to do? I also have another commitment this afternoon, that can't be changed. Knowing that I have a unchangeable commitment this afternoon, I made the choice to reschedule (once again) this mornings plans. 

For me, that is so very frustrating. I hate not being able to do something I had planned. However, my body can only tolerate so much. So, I need to allow my body time to heal this morning, and lay low. 

Thankfully, the other people involved in my cancelation this morning, are fully understanding. They've been along side of my pain journey for most of the past 16 years. They get it. 

If you know someone who lives in chronic pain, or has an invisible illness (i.e. autoimmune disease, lyme, chronic headache, diabetes, etc) please be patient if they have to reschedule—even multiple times. It's not that they don't want to do an activity, it's just that their bodies won't allow it. Or they have to save their energy for an upcoming event that they simply can't miss. Please don't read anything into the cancelation of plans. Changing plans is not the desired thing! So, often we look forward to that event and doing something out of the norm. So, please be patient, understanding, and most of all encouraging! I'm so thankful that the people who have come along side of me are all of those. 

The key to living with a chronic illness/pain is flexibility. And realizing that things are beyond a person's control. It's about taking comfort knowing that even if things have to be rescheduled, it's OK! 

Why am I sharing this? So that others with chronic illness know that this is reality, and that it's ok. So that others without pain/illness learn why plans change. 

Today, is not what I had planned. However, my headache level is no surprise to God Almighty. He is fully aware of my pain and headache. Therefore, I take comfort in knowing that for whatever reason, God has allowed my plans to change today. It could be so that I write this post, to encourage someone, or it could be that God wanted to protect me from an accident, or it could be that God just me to take time to be still. 

So, if you know someone who lives with chronic pain/illness, please take time to understand a bit of their life. And take time to pray for them. 

If you have any questions, please ask. And remember, not all chronic illness/pain is the same. So, my answers may differ from one who suffers with a different illness.

Now and Henceforth

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;

I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

May my meditation be sweet to Him;

I will be glad in the Lord.

Psalm 104:33-34 (NKJV)

Sing: to make song while traveling, going about singing

As long as I live: each day I'm living

Sing praise: to celebrate in song and music; give praise, sing forth praises

While I have my being: literally in the continuance of, while I'm living, now and henceforth

Meditation: to ponder, i.e. (by implication) converse (with oneself, and hence, aloud)

Sweet: the idea of close association, Intermix; to be agreeable -- be pleasant, take pleasure in

Glad: cheer up, brighten up, make joyful, cause to rejoice

Throughout my day, as I go about my daily routine, I am to be singing to the Lord. I am to be celebrating God's goodness. I am to be continually honoring God and praising Him. 

And that begins when my thoughts are agreeable—intermixed with God's. Intermixed...... so much that God's thoughts are so intwined that my thoughts and His thoughts become one in the same. 

And the end result of this.... is that I will then "brighten up" I will be joyful! 

Thanks Living! 

Sudden and Dramatic Change

The mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations [from angels and men], but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints), Colossians 1:26 (AMP)

What was the mystery that was hidden? The redemptive work of Jesus Christ that was made available to all. 

The greek verbs used in this verse, means that there was a sudden change. The Gospel was hidden, but it suddenly was made known—to us. 

The presence of Jesus Christ created a sudden and dramatic change—His death, burial, and resurrection, provided a way for us to change our destination from Hell to Heaven. 

Since the presence of Jesus Christ created a dramatic change in my future destination (because I've placed my faith in Him), that same presence should have a dramatic change on my life—daily!

Living in the presence of Jesus Christ as I live daily is done only if I am permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Perpetual Raving

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 150. Here is what I learned.

Praise God in his ·Temple [holy place; or holiness]; praise him in his ·mighty heaven.

Praise him for his strength; praise him for his [abundant] greatness.

Praise him with trumpet blasts; praise him with harps and lyres.

Praise him with tambourines and dancing; praise him with stringed instruments and flutes.

Praise him with loud cymbals; praise him with crashing cymbals.

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord! Psalm 150 (EXB)

Praise: make boast self, celebrate, commend, deal, make, foolish glory, give light, shine, to rave.

Praise is a theme throughout all the Psalms. But what is praise? 

Praise: noun, verb, praised, prais·ing.

noun

1. the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation.

2. the offering of grateful homage in words or song, as an act of worship: a hymn of praise to God.

3. the state of being approved or admired: The king lived in praise for many years.

4. Archaic. a ground for praise, or a merit.

verb (used with object)

5. to express approval or admiration of; commend; extol.

6. to offer grateful homage to (God or a deity), as in words or song.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Praise?s=t

So simply put, praise is a form of worship that involves giving reverence, love, and respect for/to Almighty God.

Praising God is not based on what He does, has done, or is doing for me. Praise is not based on how I feel, or my circumstances. Praise is not a one time event. Praise is not only for Sunday. 

Praise is all about God. Praise is worshiping who God is. Praise is raving about God. Praise is based on God’s characteristics. Praise is to be continuous. Praise is to be part of my daily life. 

Praise. 

P: Perpetual

R: Raving

A: About an Almighty

I: Irrefutable

S: Steadfast

E: Eternal God! 

Perpetual Raving About an Almighty, Irrefutable, Steadfast, Eternal God!

To create a positive day, I need to be praising God with my actions, attitude, out-look, and voice—perpetual raving about my Almighty God!

Desire

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 15. Here is what I learned.

Psalm 15 begins with two questions. Who can spend time with God today? Who can spend time with God for all eternity? 

As I read Psalm 15:1, the first thoughts that came to mind were

The Desire

The Direction of Desire

The Duration of Desire

To ask a question, one must want to know the answer. The desire is spending time; allowing someone to have an impact in my life. 

The direction of desire is God, and the Name used is Yahweh. This is God’s proper name, a name signifying deity. 

The duration of desire has two parts: one temporary and immediate (temple; tent) the second permanent (holy hill). 

Do I have a desire for God

to have an impact in my life

on a daily basis and for eternity?  

With whom do I want to spend time? Friends. I want to be in the company of people I enjoy. I like to be with like-minded people. 

Psalm 15 starts with the Desire to be with God. Do I have that desire? Many of us want to “spend eternity” with God. But do we want Him around daily? If He is around daily, does that put a damper on my speech? my activities? my thoughts? my attitudes? That’s the meaning of Psalm 15. 

If I want to spend eternity with God, then I should want to spend each and every day in God’s presence. Remember, God is present. It is just do I acknowledge that fact and allow it to have an impact on my life? 

What is my desire today? Do I want to have fellowship with God and enjoy His presence? That doesn’t mean that I sit around reading the Bible all day. Rather, that God presence should have an impact on how I live. The rest of Psalm 15 gives examples of the impact of the desire to spend time with God should have in my life. 

To create a positive day, I need to check to see what (or Who) is the attention of my desire. If my desire is greater for things or people, rather than God, then I need a “desire adjustment”. Only if my desire is wanting God to have a daily impact in my life, will each day be positive.