Welcome to Fern's Homestead!
I have suffered from debilitating fatigue for 2 1/2 years as of this writing~just bought a wheelchair this year as a matter of fact, which I am normally too ill to even use. Yet, I am the happiest that I have ever been in my life. The L*rd has given me more blessings since becoming ill than I could have ever hoped for, or ever imagined. But that's another page :-)
I pray that this page will bless you abundantly,
and help you to see the good that HaShem has planned for you,
even in the midst of your suffering. May ADONAI bless you dear one.
Suffering can be a two-sided coin. It can be viewed as coming from the L*rd to
bring out the best in us. Remember, Abba did not create us to suffer. Yet, in one way or another, everyone suffers. For me ~ it's living with chronic illnesses. We live in a fallen world. Suffering is the result of sin. Suffering in and of itself is not a good thing, however, good can be found in the midst of suffering! Here are some possible ways that we respond to suffering: Denial ~ I can't believe this! Depression Self pity. Faint under it ~ in other words, treat it way too seriously
Receive instruction from it by embracing it.
Both Paul and Peter tell us to commit our pain and suffering to G*d.
The things of this world that seemed so important before my becoming ill have faded into the background, and the prospect of having a new body; of being with Yeshua for all eternity~ with no more pain, without fatigue and no more shed tears ~ has come to the forefront. I take pleasure in the small things now and give thanks for the seemingly ordinary in my life. I hate to admit it, but before I got ill I would sometimes think, "Not yet L*rd! I still have things I want to do, don't come yet!" Now I see, because of my own suffering, that it will be so much easier to let go of this world. It has helped me loosen my grip on this world, and as I am learning to slowly let go, I am becoming more heavenly minded, and less worldly-minded. After all, this isn't our home. HaShem never intended for us to suffer when He created Adam and Eve. We live in a fallen world now ~ this is not G*d's best for us!! Thankfully, Father can and does turn around what the enemy means for our harm into GOOD!!! (Romans 8:28)
J. C. Ryle puts it this way: "Through affliction He teaches us many precious lessons that otherwise we would never learn.
By affliction He shows us our emptiness and weakness, draws us
to the throne of grace, purifies our affections, weans us from
the world, and makes us long for heaven."
Patience Hebrews 10:36, "For you have need of patience (endurance), so that when you have done the will of G*d, you may receive what was promised."
James 1:3, "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith produces patience (endurance or steadfastness)."
Joy Psalms 126:6, "He that goes to and fro weeping, bearing precious seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him."
Knowledge Psalms 94:12, "Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;"
Maturity 1 Peter 5:10, "And after you have suffered for a little while, the G*d of all grace , who called you to His eternal glory in Messiah Yeshua, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and will establish you."
This was one of the first lessons Abba taught me when I was bedridden and completely helpless. How did He teach me compassion for others when I was lying there in pain, with fevers, and 100% debilitated with fatigue? He opened my eyes ~ my spiritual eyes ~ to the realm of suffering. I was oblivious to it up to that point in my life. It also gave me a glimpse of the suffering my precious Abba endured ~ because of my own sin. I began to understand on a deeper level what His suffering meant for me, personally.
Who better to comfort you than someone else who has walked down the same path that you are now traveling? When I say, "I know just how you feel", it instantly brings you comfort. Suffering allows compassion and mercy to be developed in our character. We become tender-hearted towards others pain and hardships. Yeshua knows your suffering because when He was on earth, He walked the same path of Suffering, for you and for me. He understands. Because of your suffering, beloved, G*d is preparing you to be able to minister to others, either right now, or in your future. There is a purpose to your suffering if you are His child.
2 Cor. 1:3-4, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our afflictions so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." Suffering enlarges our ministry towards others. It has been said that one that suffers much, speaks many languages. Have you noticed how much easier it is to relate to someone else who is also suffering? That's because we are speaking the same language!
Have you asked ADONAI how He wants to use you ~ right now ~
right where you are? He absolutely can. I am living proof of that!
2 Corinthians 12:5-10, "On behalf of such a man will I boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in regard to my infirmities. For if I do wish to boast I shall not be foolish; for I shall be speaking the truth: but now I refrain from this, so that no one may credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore will I rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, in insults, with distresses, in persecutions, with difficulties for Yeshua's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." Joni Eareckson Tada in When Is It Right to Die? writes, "Whether a godly attitude shines from a brain-injured college student or from a lonely man relegated to a back bedroom, the response of patience and perseverance counts. God points to the peaceful attitude of suffering people to teach others about Himself. He not only teaches those we rub shoulders with every day, but He instructs the countless millions of angels and demons. The hosts of heaven stand amazed when they observe God sustain hurting people with His peace." She also writes, "You were made for one purpose, and that is to make God real to those around you." Through suffering we learn to submit to G*d through our pain, fear, loneliness, debilitation......we learn that we can do nothing of our own strength ~ this shows us our deep need for God.
Isaiah 48:10-11 says "See how I tested you, not as silver is tested, but in the furnace of affliction; there I purified you. For my honour, for my own honour I did it".Are we going to say yes to the fiery furnace where it is necessary for each of us to be purified?
(1 Pet 4:12-13 NLT) "Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad--because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world." Suffering prepares us to be that radiant Bride of Christ. Oswald Chambers says that "God has one destined end for mankind ~ Holiness. His one aim is the production of saints." God wants His bride to be made Holy and Pure and without spot or blemish ~ which means no wrinkles. When we iron wrinkles out of a shirt, we must turn up the heat on the iron to press out those wrinkles, right? Through suffering we learn to submit to God through our pain, fear, loneliness or fatigue, etc. We learn we can do nothing of our own strength ~ it shows us our deep need for God.
Psalms 119:67, "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word."
I have been blessed with
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