Sunflower Photo by Sixteen Miles Out On Upsplash

Happy New Year!!! 🎉

I’ve tried to write an interesting and captivating post to start the year off on the right foot, but the truth is, I’m in the thick of it and find it hard to write when I have yet to reach the other side…

The Beauty of Pain

This current season of pain has taken me by surprise. It is forcing me to live out my holy ambition:

“I exist to encourage and uplift the weary, and to live a life of worship, whether in or out of pain.”

Which sounds lovely when I focus on the words “encouragement” / “uplift” / worship” – but not so much when the loudest word at the moment is “PAIN!” I would never choose this for myself, but I can see how God is using pain to refine me:

Pain is an opportunity to have a closer / deeper / stronger walk with God. It is an invitation for me to experience the joy of intimate friendship with Jesus, and the true power of fervent prayer, in a way I would never know without suffering.

The Battle of Pain

But this does not just happen! It takes work / dedication / sacrifice – it is something I have to pursue. The fight to stay focused on things above often feels like a minute to minute attack. Time has taught me that my personal battles are best fought on my knees, with an open bible, and a heart willing to listen and change. In this state of humility, is when the Holy Spirit speaks and reminds me what I am called to meditate on:

“Whatever is true,
Whatever is honorable,
Whatever is just,
Whatever is lovely,
Whatever is commendable,
If there is any excellence,
If there is anything worthy of praise,
Think about these things.”
– Philippians 4:8

I love these notes about this passage from the Beyond Suffering Bible by Joni Earekson Tata:

  • “It is natural to feel anxious when we are in pain or to feel helpless while a loved one struggles. So what can we do about our anxiety and worry? Paul understood the human tendency to let our thoughts spiral downward as we focus on the negative. He urges us to focus our minds on things with eternal value and release our worry through prayer, which leads us into deeper spiritual territory where God can transform us.”

And also:

  • “There is something intriguing about an individual who can maintain joy despite arduous circumstances.”

THIS is who I want to be in 2022 – regardless of pain! I want to stand in “deeper spiritual territory,” “transformed” and JOYFUL “despite arduous circumstances!” And how will I pursue this?? By thinking / dwelling / meditating on these things, and blocking out the noise of anything that pulls me away from God. I am becoming more aware of how the daily diet of my mind affects me. Especially when in pain, I have to be very careful about what I consume! I thought I would share with you some sources that are helping me stay focused today on what is:

True
Honorable
Just
Pure
Lovely
Commendable
Excellent
Worthy of Praise
May we Think / Dwell / Meditate on these things…

[ What I am Reading ]

[ What I’m Writing ]

  • Medical Timeline 2010-2011 (Specifically Bella’s Birth to Transplant – this is a difficult and emotional task – medical record from this year is 1,500 pages long!)
  • Storytime Post – (Follow-up to Bella’s Baby Blanket – the story behind the photo below – will include another mother / daughter video as well 🙂

[ What I’m Listening To ]

This one is really special to me because it is the kind of playlist where I never have songs I always skip. Its like whatever song is on, I can say, “that’s my jam!” 🎵 This music has been the soundtrack to my worship this month, I hope you enjoy and can worship along with me 💗