Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Living in Light of God's Promises
All things work together for good to those who love God. Romans 8:28
John MacArthur states in Truth for Today:
God regularly and consistently takes all that He allows to happen to Christians, even what seems to them to be the worst things, and turns those events ultimately into blessings. That is divine providence at work...In His providence, the Lord uses *all things*, circumstances that are evil and harmful as well as those that are good and helpful, to mold you into the kind of person He wants you to be. When you struggle with life, just remember..."My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
This is so true.
Not that mine has been a terrible trial, but it has been a trial of sorts. What started as a hives mystery, ended with me learning some great lessons. And if your doctor ever mentions decadron LA shot, I would highly recommend that you think that through. The LA part means long acting...So it stays in your system longer...thus, the side effects last longer as well. The side effects for me have been awful. I realize not everybody responds to medicines the same way...But for me it has been a roller coaster of "unpleasant and bizarre"(as my good friend who has had a shot like this before says) side effects. The worst being the rush of adrenaline that caused severe anxiety and very rapid heart beat. This would come in waves throughout the day...it has gotten less and less over the last few days, which I am very thankful for! The drug also causes depression and just not feeling like yourself. I don't want to bore you with the side effects, but 2 decadron LA sots and the medrol pack by mouth was a lot of medicine and I will not be doing that again. My body can not handle it. I know it was probably best for the severe allergic reaction I had and I do not blame the doctor treating me at all. He did the right thing.....but if hives appear again, I will be using benadryl topical cream and wait it out. We were trying to leave town for our wonderful Destin, Florida trip and that is why I rushed things and wanted the hives gone...plus, allergic reactions can be scary and I did not know how it could progress.
The side effects became much easier to handle this past weekend and I am feeling a lot better today. I am still VERY tired and a little irritable...but the other racing heart beat yucky feelings are gone. My mom checked my pulse rate when I was at her house last weekend and it was in the high 70's...which is high for me. Usually mine is in the low 60's. So the drug does do some strange things to the body. Thankfully, the worst is over.
For all of you who have prayed and answered my questions, thank you so much.
Through this small trial, I have learned to depend on God so much more...really knowing and believing that my life is in His hands. One thing that I prayed a lot was that through this time, I would be God honoring with others. I had a sweet friend talk to me one night and pointed me towards praying for others even in my time of trouble...I want to be that kind of person, who looks out for others and their needs, even in my own difficulties. God is slowly (with an emphasis on slowly) molding me into a woman who does truly seek Him and His ways. I say slowly because I tend to take so long to really get things. Sometimes what he is trying to teach me goes right over my head. I am a work in progress...aren't we all? I had to learn patience...because there was no quick fix to make the side effects go away...I had to wait on the medicine to run its course. My husband had to remind me of this daily. I tend to get very impatient when things don't go my way. God has a lot of work to do in me....that is for sure.
I look at what Amy has gone through...and her sweet family. The heart break of losing a precious daughter, sister, wife and mommy to baby Gary. The heart ache of watching her suffer through that terrible disease...seeing her go through all the treatments and side effects of major medicines. Through all of that, then seeing her praise God because she did get it...she knew that God had a perfect plan for her life. She understood the verse that says "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." We all read and saw her weakness and how her body was failing, but WOW...did we see God glorified? Did we witness God's strength in her heart. Yes. And it was powerful. God is faithful. We are weak, our bodies are frail, we are diseased with illness and sin....BUT, He is strong. Praise God.
I am a stay at home mother to 4. I am very blessed to have a godly husband who loves the Lord and his family. I welcome the days of much needed grace,the times of sweet victories,and the tears of trials,knowing it is all for God's glory. I want my lifesong to sing to Him,the author and finisher of my faith. Soli Deo Gloria--To the Glory of God alone.
12 Comments:
I can absolutely identify with this post. I was up at one o'clock this morning, unable to sleep because of some very stressful circumstances. I kept recalling the scriptures that have been written on my heart since childhood regarding God and His faithfulness. What a comfort! I'm so glad I had parents that taught me to turn to God's word, both in feast and in famine.
I also found myself praying for others. I know without question that there are people who are hurting worse than me. I found myself counting my blessings and praising God for his goodness, and yes, even thanking him for this stressful situation. I've always prayed He'd make the the woman He would have me be, and He is.
Blessings to you and yours.
Kim~
God will bless you for your openness, honestly, and transparency!!!
I believe that in our woundedness, and brokenness, God will meet us!!!
Although, I'm sure this trial has NOT been easy....aren't you thankful for what God is teaching you, and revealing to your heart!?!
You are an AMAZING example to so many of us gals out here in blog-land!!!
Praying that God ministers to you...as you pray for others during this time!
I am so sorry that you have had to go through so much, Kim. I pray that this will go away. Did they EVER find out what you were allergic to? How awful. I have heard our pastor say that it is in times of trial that our true Christianity comes out. I am glad that you are thanking God, despite your trial. You are a good example to me.
I am glad you are starting to get better, but I am sorry for what you have had to go through to get there.
Like you said, I have also found that so true that praying for others, and serving others while going through a trial can help keep our focus on Christ in all circumstances.
Glad you are back and feeling somewhat better!
Katie
Wonderful post Kim! I can truly relate to this, especially today. I am so grateful for the constant reminders that God is so good and His grace is sufficient. I learn things slowly, as well. I am grateful that God finds many ways to emphasize what He wants me to hear from Him.
I am glad to read that you are feeling better! I will continue to pray for you.
In Christ!
Leigh
So glad to hear from you. I missed you while you were gone. God is in all things, the good the bad and the ichy.
My heart and prayers are with you Kim. Thanks for sharing this battle with us. you have walked through it with such grace.
You are precious.
Blessings,
Sue
I'm so glad to hear that the side effects are wearing off.
Thanks for sharing what God is showing you through your trials. You encourage me!
And you're right about Amy's testimony throughout her time of suffering. Her eyes and her heart were set to glorify God no matter what. She wrote to make us see Him wonder-full!! I'll miss her challenging posts to be faithful regardless of my circumstances. I appreciated her courage and her tenacity to live. There's a rumor about a book she was writing before her death...looking forward to that!!
This is beautiful, Kim. I hope you feel better.
Thanks for this post. I identify also with it.
I am dealing with that anxiety and racing heartbeat stuff and have been for over a year now. Not because of medication. Just because of anxiety issues.
I also believe that God is teaching me something through this trial.
I'm not as patient as I should be though.
I want the lesson to be learned so I can move on. I do know though that God is molding me to be who he calles me to be.
Glad you are feeling better!
Blessings!
In HIM -
Mindy
Too weird! Kim at Mercy Days told me you had been dealing with hives...I am having hives right now. Not fun to start homeschooling and have this at the same time! They started last Thursday night and I have just been taking Benadryl...which knocks me out cold! I don't take meds very often so when I do my body reacts strongly to them.
I'm glad you are feeling better. It is so neat how something like hives can turn into a chance to give God the glory.
No circumstance beyond His power to redeem and use for His glory!
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