A Friend Through Christ Ministry Newsletter

              The Emotional Pains of Weakened Health

              By Michael A. Hannigan

One of the difficult things we deal with in life is an injury and/or poor health that brings about change that makes what we do and how we do it totally differant. We can no longer do the things we were used to doing. We can't care for ourselves in the same way; we cannot do for our loved ones the way we want to; We have to watch as others take on what we once did for ourselves and for our loved ones. Having once been the one to care for others, we now need to be cared for.   As a result emotional pain, anxiety, and depression become a big part of everyday life. We begin to have strong emotional feelings of being somehow less then a person, not being able to do what others do, being weak.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul, "And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." ( The King James version actuyally uses the word infirmities for weakness) Most gladly therefore, I rather boast about my weakness so the power of Christ may dwell in me. When we ask our Lord and Savior into our heart, many think this is the point when all our troubles are over. The bible tells us that in this life we will all face trials (John 16:33) and should "consider it all great joy..." ( James 1:2).

God can use what we see as our weakness for His glory when we are open and allow Him. When wwe allow Him he will provide the grace necessary to get through any burden of infirmity. The grace to see our infirmity as a strength to use to profess our faith in Christ as our Lord and Savior. He is perfected through our seeking Him through our burden; He is perfected through our handling our burden in a manner that HONORS His name. He is perfected as we seek Him through His Holy Word the Bible.

Yes, it sounds strange, but these trials we face can be an opprotunity for others to serve Him, for others to present His image through service to us in His name. Those who serve can strengthen our faith as well as their own, and even of those who simply see go through the infirmity.

Have strtength and peace bin the fact that what we see as weakness in our infirmity, can be spiritual strength when we seek Him and His grace as being sufficient to get us through.