Over the past few weeks a number of our members have undergone surgery, including me. Others have been in and out of the hospital or rehab. There are lessons to reflect upon when you experience sickness, surgery, rehab and recuperation. Here are a few of the thoughts that have come to me during this time.
- We are not alone.
God is with us even in our moments of aloneness, depression, fear, sickness, pain, etc.
Our hospitals are filled with people who are sick, having surgery, in rehab or recuperation.
Loved ones are there for us, lending a helping hand and offering comfort and prayer.
- People really do care about us
Cards, e-mails, telephone calls and especially prayer really do aid the healing process. Prayers are truly felt and bring great encouragement.
- Following doctors’ orders, getting ample rest, taking medication etc. are extremely important.
There is no magic fast tract to healing. Healing takes time, patience, obedience, and surrender to the process.
- Recuperation time can be a time of spiritual renewal.
When you can do nothing else, you can pray, read scripture or have it read to you. In recuperation you have time to think and reflect upon your relationship with God, lean on Him and worship Him. Recuperation is a wonderful time to experience God’s presence, his grace and healing power,
- How blessed we are to have great medical facilities and gifted medical Personnel.
While medicine is a practice it is also a valuable ministry to our physical needs.
We may never have a close personal relationship with doctors, nurses, and other hospital workers but we will long remember what they did for us. Where would we be without them? How depended we are upon them in time of need.
- Lying on our back we have no place to look but up
In long, restless, sleepless, nights of recovery, we are reminded that God is awake while everyone else sleeps. He is always eager to talk with us, to comfort us and give us encouragement. The Psalmist said, “My help comes from the Lord.” It truly does.
- Being “down” can make you appreciate “being well”
Being down is humbling. Having good health, active days, strength to work and being useful is not to be taken for granted. Counting our blessings is a positive exercise. Being grateful lifts our spirits.
- Once you are well remember what it was like to be down.
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Remember the uplift you received knowing that someone was praying for you, sending you cards, checking on you and encouraging you by text, phone, or visit.
Thanks to all of you for remembering me and fellow church members in your prayers.
In His Love, Charles
