A Time for Every Season - Pt 3

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:1-6 ESV).

Today we’ll look at a second thought resulting from my recent stay in the hospital. I came to the realization, again, that physical pain makes focusing on God’s promises more difficult and demands greater effort and concentration. Having lived with chronic pain for over twenty-five years I know it’s not just the fear of illness and reality of aging that disorient our souls; it’s the pain. I don’t want you to be blindsided by this. The very thing we need God for can blur our vision of God. As in our illustration today, life with pain can be like a lonely walk through a dark, foreboding forest. It feels that way sometimes. It is easy to imagine we are alone in our pain. I have found it instructional to realize there are many others, some better and some worse than I who are suffering. I have also found that truth to be somewhat unhelpful. When I hurt, when I fear, I am fully aware of others and their plight; however, I am not comforted by the suffering of others. In fact, it may, at times, cause me to doubt the very source who will bring comfort. That brings me to this point. It is so important that you have in your heart some very simple, short biblical truths about God that you can declare to yourself the truth. Long complex reasoning about God’s sovereignty and goodness won’t work in this situation, because the pain is too disorienting. It doesn’t allow the mind to work at full capacity. What is needed is: “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Period. “Christ gave himself for me.” Period. “I will never leave you.” Period. “Nothing is too hard for the Lord.” Period. “Everything works for good.” Period. These are like white stones with your name on them. And you hold them in your hand as you groan and wait. I have also found the simpler the truth, the better. I have often told people that the right question to ask in the midst of crisis is “who?” It is not “why?” There are reasons for my health issue to be sure; however, knowing them does not bring comfort. Knowing the God of all comfort brings peace and ease of mind and heart. God to those gems in Scripture like our psalm toady!