Suffering with hope

If “By His Stripes We are Healed,” Why Has My Healing Not Come?

Illness - both chronic and acute - have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It's impacted the choices I’ve made and paths I’ve taken (or been forced not to take). It has robbed me of countless things I enjoy in life, such as activities, time with others, being… Continue reading If “By His Stripes We are Healed,” Why Has My Healing Not Come?

Suffering with hope

Six Encouragements in the Storms of Life

It had been over an hour. I stood there, holding the door shut to my son's room while he raged on the other side from a yet to be diagnosed disorder, which had dominated our lives for years. That day, my sometimes sweet, funny, determined little 7 year old was experiencing a battle waging inside of… Continue reading Six Encouragements in the Storms of Life

Suffering with hope

Truth to Cling to When Nothing Makes Sense

“At the beginning of our life with Jesus Christ, we were sure we knew all there was to know about following Him. It was a delight to forsake everything else and to throw ourselves before him in a fearless statement of love. But now we are not quite so sure. Jesus is far ahead of… Continue reading Truth to Cling to When Nothing Makes Sense

Suffering with hope

The Story isn’t Finished

This is a personal one for me. One I don't share much of, but I know many are quietly suffering in this way, so here it goes - Most of my fifteen years of motherhood have been spent sitting outside or inside my precious child's room, trying to protect him by keeping him (and I)… Continue reading The Story isn’t Finished

Suffering with hope

When Our Children Hurt – Hope for the Parent Grieving Their Child’s Pain

Trials and suffering in our lives can be anything from stretching to down right devastating. However, I think most people would probably agree that as painful as it is to endure suffering in our own lives, it can be even more painful to watch our children suffer. But in this world, suffer they will. Whether… Continue reading When Our Children Hurt – Hope for the Parent Grieving Their Child’s Pain

Suffering with hope

Learning Contentment in Unwanted Places

The walls felt like they were closing in around me. The air in the room grew heavy, and each breath I took stole every last ounce of my energy. With puffy eyes, a weary body, and an aching heart, I was desperate for an escape. Escape from a broken world, escape from a broken body,… Continue reading Learning Contentment in Unwanted Places

Suffering with hope

Lyme Disease and the Imagery of Sin

It’s been twenty years since my health began to decline for unknown reasons and it’s been six years since I first heard the words “Chronic Lyme Disease” (or for you science folk, Borrelia Burgdorferi that’s taken up residence long enough to impact countless systems in the body and become resistant to treatment). Like many others,… Continue reading Lyme Disease and the Imagery of Sin

Lyme Disease, Suffering with hope

Trust His Grace for Today

Pain comes with vengeance, no matter what's on the to do list or what plans were on the schedule. Whether it's physical, mental, or emotional, it can consume us, paralyze us, and rob us of all we expected life to be. Even if we have many other blessings, pain can taint reality and tempt us… Continue reading Trust His Grace for Today

Hope When It Hurts, Suffering with hope

Three Things to Remember When Life Is Hard

Disoriented. Numb. Somber. There are few words to describe where my heart has been lately. I feel inadequate to describe all the reasons why or how I have gotten to this place. But even if was able, the circumstances aren’t the point. The point is that even as Christians, we can face feelings of despair.… Continue reading Three Things to Remember When Life Is Hard

Hope When It Hurts, Suffering with hope

When Our Children Hurt – Hope for the Parent Grieving Their Child’s Pain

Trials and suffering in our lives can be anything from stretching to down right devastating. However, I think most people would probably agree that as painful as it is to endure suffering in our own lives, it can be even more painful to watch our children suffer. But in this world, suffer they will. Whether… Continue reading When Our Children Hurt – Hope for the Parent Grieving Their Child’s Pain