I am not a good “sick person”. I moan and groan and complain that I need to “get things done” and hate to cancel activities in my life. I stagger around the house attempting to push productivity, as I force myself forward without forfeiting the loss of time. I begrudgingly reflect on the dinner gathering I was supposed to host, the Sunday School class that I should have taught, and the important meeting I couldn’t make. Oh woe is me…
I consider being sick a waste of time.
A total inconvenience.
A kink in my plan.
A detour and distraction.
It’s awful to accept and down right miserable to surrender to sickness.
And if you’re a mom, it’s almost impossible.
So there I was, thinking if I can just get this and that done… If I can make sure this was here and that was there… If I can manage a survival plan for my kids…
Then I would allow myself to rest. I was that sick.
Ugh.
So I plopped on my bed in such pain I couldn’t find comfort in my soft pillow and supple sheets. I tossed and turned in a fatigue-induced fury. I agonized over what I could and should be doing with this restless time…
And then it hit me.
God has a way of pouring conviction right into the very heart of who I am. He’s Good like that.
I heard Him Whisper…
“This is temporary. Pray for those who endure longsuffering.”
Gasp.
I lay still in silent surrender. My frenzied mind stopped and my thoughts turned to each person I know that suffers agonizing days over and over again. My angst immediately transformed into a passionate prayer, as I named each precious soul I know that is held captive of some medical ailment or another. I pleaded for God to provide strength for them and their families. I begged for His Healing. I lifted up every name I could think of, and added those I don’t know personally to the list. My heart was heavy and my eyes wet from weeping.
I used my pain for a purpose.
From now on, when I am ill and need to rest… I will realize that the time I offer up in prayer for people in pain is truly time well spent.
Prayer is very productive. I can always show up for that.
Oooooooo, I like that!!!!!!!!!!!! Beautifully written! What a great idea and purpose to keep in mind when suffering…an avenue to give us perspective and more importantly help others through our prayers…I loved when you said ‘I can always show up for that.’…so good! xoxo
Thanks SO much sis!! I am pretty excited to finally have purpose in my sick times… your words are SO encouraging to me!! XOXO
I am going to remember this the next time I’m sick. I am a terrible sick person and the way you said, it’s a waste of time and an inconvenience was perfect. I love that you prayed for every person you could think of that has been suffering. You have such a good heart, Chris. I wish more people were like you.
You’re so darn sweet AnnMarie! Oh my heart has it’s days my friend… trust ME! lol But I am convicted that there are too many people who endure longsuffering for me to be so self-centered to not pray for them while I’m “down” for the count!
OK – I am nursing a cold right now and have been cursing life since yesterday afternoon when it hit. Now, I am going to spend the rest of the day praying for people who endue real suffering versus my sniffle and bout of fatigue. I love hearing just what I need to hear when I need to hear it.
OHMYGOSH I think you may have caught it from ME!! LOL
I pray yours doesn’t hit as long and hard as mine, honey. I am still MISERABLE. Ugh. Will try to call later today when I have any energy to actually talk! XO
This is totally my new “thang” to do when I am sick. I continue to do it every time I have a moment to rest… Changes your perspective eh? Yeah, I know…me too. 🙂
Chris you are not the only one who God “nudges” like that in those I-wanna-have-a-pity-party moments! He is SO GOOD like that 😉 Take care of yourself – and get better!
I know you have felt the “nudge” my friend! It’s a good thing God knows exactly how to hit our hearts at the perfect time… He’s good like that! XO
Great way of looking at it. I am the worst sick person in the world. So bad. It hasn’t happened to me since my son was a newborn and obviously that was quite terrible, but I was too in a fog to really notice.
I think it would be worse now with him on the go!
That’s the WORST time to be sick Tamra! (!!) I struggled so much when I got sick with little ones… you cannot CANNOT rest for one minute. I think it’s pretty darn amazing you haven’t gotten sick in so long… 🙂 Here’s to staying HEALTHY on your end!!
What a wonderful post, even in your sickness! Yes, He is amazing! When we focus on ourselves, our problems, our illnesses, we tend to miss the big picture: Thankfulness! When I am ill, I sit down and take advantage of not working in my art studio, not cleaning and not cooking. Of course, this “taking-it-easy” came with the passing of years and growing older. Smiles. Like you, even when I am sick, I know that others deal with sickness on a daily basis and I am grateful for my health, even at its lowest. Sending a prayer up for you. Found you over at Michell’s Prowess and Pearls. Cynthia
Oh Cynthia- I am SO glad you stopped by to share such a beautiful comment! Lets always remember those we love that suffer chronic medical issues, as we battle our minor temporary sickness. I love how you painted that picture so nicely… (PUN intended Ms, Artist!! ) 😉
You described me to a T when I am sick, Chris! It’s inconvenient, and I have better things to do. Who am I to complain when I have my health during the rest of those 364 days?! I am going to remember this post. I am thankful, for sure, for only having to complain about those rare days of sickness.
I think there are SO many women who don’t want to “stop” and rest… we are all one and the same!! GO GO GO… but at least when we have to stop, we can use our resting time for good!
What perspective! I tend to whine and complain when I’m sick, but (so far) I’ve never had a long term illness.
Women get mad when they’re sick because they have to carry much of the burden of SO many things!! And Lord knows we can’t STOP! It’s tough when we have to make ourselves rest… but at least I feel compelled to bring purpose to it. That helps a lot!
I always take getting sick as a sign that I need to rest and have been overdoing it. I am one of those people with a chronic illness. Thank you for the fresh perspective and thank you for sharing.
And you my dear, are one that I would be praying for in future “rest stops”… I love that you honor your precious “temple” and rest when your body says you need it. I pray that sustains you!
Oh Chris, this is so you! I love how you surrender to the Father and always, ALWAYS have a heart for others. I just truly love that.
AW thanks so much bestie!!! Your words mean so much to me… they truly raise me higher than I am. I am grateful for your precious encouragement ALWAYS!!! 🙂
Good Lord Chris! talk about conviction. I’m just like you when it comes to sickness of my own. I counsel, advise and try to help people who are sick, but often fail to take my own advice.
But when God Himself convicts you of your temporary suffering compared to those with long suffering…wow.. you temporarily forget about your inconvenience and pray for those who are in need of heeling. God. Bless you. Beautifully written and so relatable.
You’re too busy to ever get sick, Hope!!!! Thank you for your sweet encouragement and how I always love your words.
Too bad I can’t visit your office when you get a cold and say “Um, Doctor? Aren’t ya supposed to be taking care of yourself, my lovely lady?” And I would have a basket of yummy goodies and lots of medicine and tea for you!!! 🙂
Chris, I LOVE your perspective on this! I’m such a baby when I get sick but still feel compelled to overdo it because, well, if I don’t who will? Next time I will look at things differently and take it easy. It could always be worse and this too shall pass. Feel better mama! =)
Can you believe I still feel crappy, Sara? Ugh. But just like you said- I don’t stop. WE don’t stop, cause who will do it all? I can’t blame anyone but myself really…
I apparently can’t discipline myself to rest, unless I am truly HIT HARD. So we push on, yes?! 😉
{Melinda} I love how God shows up with that little voice in our spirit — never condemning. Always loving. But always true. And when our hearts are teachable, it just upends our whole perspective.
Yesterday, Molly and I were watching some of the 9/11 coverage. And she said, sometimes when I think about how much I don’t want to get up in the morning, I think about those people on 9/11 who woke up that morning and it was the last opportunity they ever had to do that. Wise words from my 16 year old. 🙂
I do hope you are feeling better, friend. 🙂
WOW. Just wow Melinda!!! What an incredibly wise and insightful young lady you have for a daughter! That is just so beautiful that she thinks that… it really reflects the heart that she has. You must be one PROUD mama!!! Love it~
I work with a lot of people who live with devastating illness – and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t count myself so lucky for good health for my family. Still, it’s not fun when your sick- so I hope you feel better!! Xo
Exactly Leah!! You face these people every day and that cold reality is right before your eyes…
We are SO blessed to be healthy!!! (For the most part!)
Oh Chris! Hahaha, I’m laughing because our God is so awesome! He’s the ultimate COACH… He’ll take us beyond ourselves to get us to where we need to be! We’ll never be able to reach the masses as He intended, if we’re always focused on ourselves! I LOVE this post girl…you hit the nail on the head! Lord I pray we get over our biggest obstacle…OURSELVES! This is where we as Believers should strive to be, otherwise we’re not hitting a lick at a stick at being disciples of His! That’s what being sold out is! Thanks so much for TAKING US THERE my friend! Love you girl! Thanks for sharing this and thanks for linking up! I’m sharing!! xoxo
AMEN to all of that Michell!!! Doggonit… it’s NOT about us!! Go figure…. LOL
God is limited in working with people who only desire change in their own hearts, and although that is GOOD- He wants more from us!!! He wants to use us to help OTHERS change hearts as well.
This is beautiful! But please don’t forget yourself. Even temporary pain hurts. Pray for yourself as well.
I appreciate the reminder on so many levels. And you will be in my prayers tonight. Thank you for sharing. May you be blessed. Whether you are in pain or not.
Aw thanks so much Robin!! You are such a kind soul… I feel your love and your prayers. And I am so grateful for them. 🙂 I pray you are doing better as well- with it all. I need to go and check on you!! Be there soon!
I love your take on this. We fret over momentary things while others live with long term challenges.
Yep yep we do! I am constantly pulling my self out of my SELF because I am so easily self centered on MEEEEE! I intentionally have to realize and claim how blessed I am in every day that passes without a devastating illness or tragedy. Truly. 🙂
Your posts always get me.
I have been very fortunate not to have any long lasting illness or suffer from daily pain. To pray for those not as fortunate when you are not feeling well, what a wonderful way to spend that time.
I am thrilled I have that new purpose when I am sick… it doesn’t make me feel better physically, but boy does it make a difference in every other way. 🙂
Wow. So powerful. I love the line “prayer is productive”. How often I forget! Thanks for the reminder.
I know, I forget too. But I have to remind myself that prayer is truly one of the MOST important things we can do in our lives. Being a “do-er” like I am, it’s so hard to be still- and yet prayer is something we all can do at anytime… and I love that! 🙂