Run The Race, Runner

Good morning. It is Thursday, June 1, 2021.

I have been home the past 2 1/2 days with terrible body aches and pain; muscle and bone and I feel bruised to the touch. No fever. I do not feel sick. No headache or any other symptom. The only thing that brought relief was soaking in hot water with Epsom salts.

I saw my doctor yesterday and had blood work done. I will know more on Monday but, she suspects it is Fibromyalgia brought on by my emotions. I do not want to admit that I cannot handle what life has thrown at me and if you were to ask me how I am doing, I would tell you “I’m fine”. But, if I were to be very real and honest, even with myself, I am not fine.

I was fired from a job I loved in October. Two and a half months later my husband died in our bedroom after a hard fight with cancer. Six weeks after that I started a new job, with MUCH to learn. And not too long ago I thought I might have to sell my home. I guess a girl can only take so much. No matter how tough she thinks she is.

Psalm 40:17 ESV “As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!”

I am sure you have pain or had pain. Emotional pain, physical pain, pain deep in your soul. If we live on planet earth, we will have pain and trouble! John 16:33 tells us “in the world you will have tribulation.” It is a guarantee. We will have trouble. But how will we handle it? How will I handle it? Obviously, we cannot handle it alone. We need Jesus.

Psalm 34:18 “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

We take so much for granted. I have lived a mostly (physical) pain-free life. My husband on the other hand suffered chronic pain for over 30 years. He was a fence builder and a hard worker AND stubborn. He would not let anything keep him down. As a result, he had two fused discs in his neck. He had two carpal tunnel surgeries. He had 80% of the cartilage removed from his knee, he had 4 bulging discs in his lower back, not to mention other 'minor' injuries. The man knew pain and yet he handled it like a champ. He rarely complained about anything. He was tough. I want to be more like Wendell.

I am striving today to claim Philippians 4:6 ESV “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Psalm 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

I mentioned John 16:33, ““in the world you will have tribulation.” I did not include the most important parts of that verse: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace…take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Praise His Holy name! He has overcome the world. All I need to do is run the race, even when in pain.

2 Timothy 4:7 ESV “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”