
How do you move forward when you feel stuck?
What would be lacking in your life that would cause you to finally come to a place where you admit your need for God instead of trying to live without his presence and power?
Challenges in life are inevitable. And we encounter problems no matter what knowledge, or abilities we may have.
I praise God that I am writing this at a time when I am no longer complaining about having severe back pains or enduring the hospital's long waiting lists for treatments. God is faithful, always present in our lives even when we don't see it.
I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis several months ago at the time when I was still recovering from knee surgery. So it seemed like double trouble, double the pain and it was a tough time to navigate through. In moments of desperation, I felt like sleeping and not waking up until the pains were gone. I struggled to pray for myself and when I did pray, I did not feel God was hearing my prayers. I went into an overthinking mode that added more to the stress. Self-pity, fear and doubt filled me. Thoughts of death entered my mind. Is this the end?
My recovery has been slow with more medical tests yet to be done. I realised that I would need a lot of time to heal and get back on my feet. I remember a conversation I had with one of the doctors at the hospital emergency department during the second time I went there. After a painful morning and a long wait to be seen, they were going to discharge me again without any constructive feedback on what was going on with my pain issues. So I felt I had to advocate for myself. I was in tears by then, blurting out to the doctor that I just turned 73 and I'm in the process of retiring from work. I said, "I want to enjoy my years of retirement and be in good health." And I pleaded with the doctor, not to send me home again (to be referred to my family doctor) without some medical evidence from the tests done. I had so many unanswered questions about my diagnosis and I wanted to know what options I had for treatment. It was such a relief to get all that out of my system at the time.
I thank God for His faithfulness.
His word brings us hope. The following scripture spoke strongly to me;
Jeremiah 29:11-14:
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity."
Verses 12-14 presented a challenge to me:
"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart..."
Seeking God with all my heart! Yes, I needed to make some changes and to have a fresh vision for my life. To pray from my heart for God's healing so I can fulfil the plans He has for my life. I wanted to follow God's word and I knew it was the answer to getting out of the rut I was in. Beginning with a new attitude to restore my relationship with God, I began to spend the first hour when I woke up in prayer and reading God's Word.
I valued the timely advice and wisdom from a trusted Christian leader and a mentor friend who visited by phone. She encouraged and lifted my spirits. I enjoyed the following quote,
"A good friend is a connection to life—a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in an insane world." —Lois Wyse
Moving forward with self-care.
Following are some key learnings that helped me to move forward:
Strengthen my spiritual life; by prioritising my relationship with God through personal worship, prayer and reading God's word.
Value friendship. Do not isolate yourself from friends who are there to encourage, motivate and keep us accountable.
Exploring community health and well-being programs available and suitable for my recovery needs. Participating regularly in exercise classes.
I am pleased to say that I found a very supportive community of like-minded senior citizens. We enjoy coming together to exercise and encourage ourselves by sharing experiences of how we are managing at this significant time of our lives.
It has been months since I started my journey of recovery. Looking back, I have a whole lot more to be thankful for. Living with family and having them around is a great help for senior people such as myself. My family doctor has been very supportive of my recovery plan. I am very grateful for the spiritual support from my local church and from Christian friends who pray for me regularly.
Above all, I thank God for His faithfulness. In my times of suffering, I drew closer to him through prayer and His word, He opened my eyes to look into the future with fresh hope and faith in Him.
In conclusion, I encourage anyone who may be experiencing similar health challenges. Continue to trust God. Do not give up hope, especially during those dry spiritual seasons that make us vulnerable - to doubt God’s presence in our lives. Remember that there is an enemy that "...comes only to steal and kill and destroy ..." (John 10:10) our hope in Christ. Do not believe the enemy's lies. Keep on praying, keep talking to God. Open your bible to scriptures of promises God wants to say to you. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deut. 31:6). God is in control and He is working out all things for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).
Prayer:
"Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved." Psalm 80:3
God bless you!
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