Obtaining Mercy

It is a difficult thing to feel hopeful and positive when we feel poorly in our physical bodies.

However, feeling "bad" is not an excuse for hopelessness.

This was a hard lesson for me to learn when I first started feeling the physical effects that would later be diagnosed as fibromyalgia.

My body was in so much pain that I was grumpy, cold and harsh to others. In the beginning, I saw no reason to push myself to be pleasant. It just took too much energy.

I've learned, though, that Jesus would not have me live that way. I don't want to be a grouchy, cantankerous person.

I want to be happy, positive and easy to live with.

I want to be this way, not just for those who have to live with me, but for myself.

When we are filled with negative thoughts, harsh judgments and bitterness, we are only causing further damage to our physical body. God did not make our bodies to harbor these emotions.

Medical science has proven that angry bitter people are more prone to illnesses and will stay sicker longer than those who have a positive outlook on life.

Unfortunately, some of the most negative people I have ever met have been my fellow Christians. Sadly, sometimes, I have numbered myself with them.

Paul gives us the secret to moving beyond our feelings – whether they are emotional or physical – in this short little verse:

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Philippians 4:11

To live out this verse, it is necessary to believe that everything in our life is allowed by God – on purpose, and to trust that He can work it all out for our good.

This includes our physical ailments. God can and will use them to make us more like His Son, if we submit our will to His.

It is not an easy thing to be in physical pain, especially when that pain lasts for many hours a day, or when it is uncontrolled by medications or is especially severe.

Sometimes it is necessary to draw away from others to rest ourselves, to be alone with God and to regain our perspective. Sometimes, we just need to take some medication or herbal remedy and sleep. We need to take care of our bodies as best we can.

When we leave the sick room, though, or when others come to visit us there, we can be pleasant. We can be positive in our words. We can point others to our God Who is helping us through our pain.

Often, hope is a very positive emotion that is birthed from very negative circumstances.

We can hope in God's plan for our life, even when that plan includes pain, in spite of our feelings.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Psalm 16:9

Our hope for a "change" in our country starts with our noses buried in our Bibles and our knees on the floor of our prayer closets.

Regardless of the outcome of tomorrow's election, our hope remains in God alone.

If every true believer lived every aspect of his life according to the Word of God, our nation would be a Godly nation – no matter which party controlled the White House.

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Proverbs 14:34

Whether your favored candidate wins the election or not, your spirit should not flag, your mood should not alter, your hope should not dim.

Our future's hope is in the God of the past, the present and the future.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
Psalm 27:1a

My God still sits on the throne.

He doesn't need an election to be voted into His position either! His campaign started and ended on Calvary's hill.

Praise be to God!

There is much hope to be found in the Scriptures.

May your heart be filled with peace as you read God's Word.

Psalm 27

[1] The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

[2] When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

[3] Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

[4] One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

[5] For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

[6] And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

[7] Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

[8] When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

[9] Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

[10] When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

[11] Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

[12] Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

[13] I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

[14] Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD