The other evening I wanted to open the card program that I use to make the greeting cards which bring me so much joy in making and sending to others! But my heart quickly took a dive when I realized I was unable to open the program on my computer.
This was the first time in the numerous years of using this particular program that a message popped up about needing some kind of funky app installed.
I figured it was just a fluke, so I prayerfully tried to open the program again, but got the same message. I turned off my computer praying that might help, but nope, same message.
Now I'm beginning to panic!
Within that program is two-hundred-fifteen cards, envelopes, labels and special projects which I have made over the years!
I copied and pasted the message from my card program into Google, and, lo and behold, within just a few minutes, I saw someone else had asked the very same question on Google!
I read what Microsoft told that person to do, so I did the very same thing, praying the entire time!
As I rebooted my computer, I prayed what I just did would fix my problem.
I continued to pray as I hit my card program app, and, BOOM, it opened with no more message about needing some quirky application!
All two-hundred-fifteen cards, envelopes, labels and special projects were safe and sound.
The first words out of my mouth,
"Thank You so very much, Lord!"
"Praise God!"
"Oh, Father, You are so very good to me!"
However, hang on, because here I go being TOTALLY and COMPLETELY transparent.
The second thing out of my mouth to my husband,
"If God can answer a simple prayer and fix my card program, then why won't He answer our prayers and fix me and make me better?"
Yes, I said it!
Yes, I regret it!
I so wish I would have obeyed the truths found in the following verse.
"Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips."
Psalm 141:3
Yes, I DO believe the Lord was the One who got my card program back up and running.
It was NOT a coincidence.
I don't believe in coincidences.
I believe in the complete and total sovereignty of God.
I believe with all my heart the Lord allowed me to see that question posted on Google from someone else so I would know exactly how to fix my card program with the least amount of hassle.
The Lord also saved me $30.00!
How?
I was about to uninstall the card program, re-purchase it and then reinstall it on my computer thinking that would solve the problem. I had my order all filled out, BUT right before I hit "order" there was a glitch and my order didn't go through!
Another way God answered my prayer!
I could write posts every Wednesday from now until the beginning of 2018 of how the Lord has answered great and small prayer requests, and by the beginning of the new year, I still wouldn't even be a quarter of the way through my list!
Yes, at times the Lord has given me the answer of, "No". But ten times out of ten, when He shuts the door on a prayer request, He always has a much better answer than what I was asking!
But lately the only thing I can see is the fact that at least for now the Lord has said, "Wait", when it comes to my health.
Why is this such a problem for me right now compared to other times?
Because as I'm writing this my symptoms are in full force.
Every day has been extremely difficult over the past several weeks.
Some days I've had to call Brian home from his busy work day just to help me make my breakfast and lunch. Don't like doing that, but so thankful I can.
Please know I'm not sharing this for pity.
I'm just telling you openly and honesty how my days have been lately. Oh, yes, I am fully aware that it could be so much worse! And I give thanks that it's not!
When a flare up lasts this long it takes a major toll on me, not just physically, but spiritually, as well as emotionally and mentally.
I get to the point where I can't see past myself.
Just wanting to feel better.
Not wanting to deal with the daily unrelenting symptoms any longer.
Just wanting to feel some assemblance of normality.
BUT GOD (there's my two favorite words again!) woke me up to the fact that I've been dwelling on the here and now, instead of fixing my eyes on the eternal and the many ways the Lord does allow me to lay up treasures in Heaven despite, or should I say due, to living with a chronic illness.
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
II Corinthians 4:17-18
Maybe, just maybe, one of the reasons the Lord is keeping me sick and not "fixing" me is so I can keep on making greeting cards for others from the card program which He "fixed" for me the other evening!
If the Lord has you in a holding pattern concerning a certain prayer request, I can totally understand how difficult it is, especially if it's an illness which affects your daily life.
I also know how difficult it is to accomplish anything on the really severe days. But on the days which are somewhat tolerable, may I suggest that you ask the Lord how He wants to use you for His honor and glory and to encourage others as you are in the season of waiting. You may be surprised at His answers!
And remember, if you know Christ as your Saviour, your illness or trial will NOT last forever!
Oh, it might last your entire time here in this world, BUT what a joy to know the moment we step on Heaven's streets of gold, all the troubles and trials of this world will be gone forever more!
Now that's an
amazing YES answer
to prayer!
As I type this out to all of you, I'm reading it to myself, as well, and attempting to put the positives which I wrote into practice in my own life! I don't want to be guilty of not practicing what I write to others!
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May God Bless You,
Barb
Linda VDMerwe
August 23, 2017 at 12:27 pmThank you for this Barb.
He hears us and He always provides for our needs, just sometimes not for our wants, because as you say, our eternal life brings instant healing of everything. But it's always so exciting to see just how He provides, isn't it.
Every word here has been so uplifting and encouraging, and especially motivating.
God bless you.
Barb
August 23, 2017 at 2:18 pmThank you my sweet friend for your encouraging words. I'm so very thankful that the Lord used the words which He gave to me to encourage and uplift you.
Love you, Linda, and sending you loads of hugs
Zebra4Jesus
August 23, 2017 at 9:18 pmWell put and in God's timing. I've been really struggling with my chronic illness and how unfair it is to my family. Feeling overwhelmed with all I want to to And I want to just feel better and be a good Christian wife and mom who is well and able to keep after. But I trust in God and His plan and He has some reason for this. Hang in, cling to God! This to shall pass. In heaven if we are faithful, if not on earth. Your fellow Zebra
Barb
August 23, 2017 at 11:09 pmMy fellow zebra, you know how I can relate to what you wrote about being overwhelmed and just wanting to feel well and be a good Christian wife and Mom and take care of your family. Chronic illness can definitely wear you down and it can crush your dreams and desires. But we must always remember that the Lord sees the big picture. We can only see a very small puzzle piece but He sees the entire puzzle all put together. He is accomplishing things through us and through us living with a chronic illness that only He can see! We may never see all that ways He used us and our illness for His honor and glory and as an encouragement to others until we get to Heaven. So we must remain faithful to the Lord even when it's hard. And trust me, I'm preaching to myself
Sending you loads of love and hugs my fellow zebra♡♡♡