It is vital for a Christian to protect his eyes or he will find himself growing weary in his walk. I’m not talking about protecting one’s eyes from things we should not be looking at (like unsightly billboards) but from looking at our life’s circumstances.

It is when we look at our own circumstances that we become dissatisfied and we then begin to covet. We become jealous of others who are not stricken with the illness that we have. We hear ourselves saying, “Others cannot know what I am going through because they do not have the problems that I have.” The moment we take our eyes off the Lord and place them on our problems, we will grow weary.

~1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Did you notice the reference to the “lust of the eyes”? You may wonder what this has to do with the topic of growing weary. When we begin to look at what we feel is wrong in our lives, it is very easy to become covetous. Ole slew foot will be sure to kick you when you’re down, my friend! He will make sure that the grass you are looking at on the other side of that fence will appear to be a whole lot greener than your own! You will become resentful of your lot in life and you will desire what others have. You may not covet their belongings, but you will resent your own life for not being like theirs – what appears to be care free.

“Why do I have to be the one who is sick when Jean Jones seems to have everything in life?” This statement is a direct result of the lust of the eyes. This person would not notice that Jean seems to have everything in life if she had not looked at her own circumstances and compared them with Jean’s.

Changing Our View

It is critical that we change how we view our circumstances. God’s Word teaches us how to do this. Use your eyes to focus on someone else’s needs rather than your own. Allow God to let you be a blessing to someone else. God can see when a need must be met and if you allow Him, He will use you to meet a need. Have you heard the statement, “God wants you to be Jesus with skin on”? We have the Holy Spirit residing within us and His goal is to mold us into the image of Jesus Christ. Allow the Holy Spirit to use you – each time you do, you become more and more like Christ.  When we yield ourselves to the Spirit’s will, God is glorified.

God would be glorified if He healed you right now or took away whatever trial you are experiencing.  However, God may receive more glory by allowing you to go through the trial to help others.

So, where should you start? Look within your own church family. Look for those who are lonely or hurting. Often times they are the ones who are quiet and probably do not get the opportunity to fellowship with others very much. They are sadly left out for one reason or another.

~1 John 4:7-12, Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Our church has a membership directory and it is a good place to start. Take your church’s directory and write little facts you know beside each member. For example: Jane Smith has chemo from June through August; John Green is a recent widower and has no family living nearby; Mary is caring for her invalid mother; Susie’s husband is not saved and she does not get much Christian fellowship with other ladies, etc. If you personally do not know what the needs are, call your Pastor or the church secretary. They are usually the first to know when a need has arisen in the church.  You can also glean from the weekly prayer bulletin.

Everyone has a need in their lives, my friend. Everyone! Use your eyes to see what these needs are and then focus your efforts on meeting those needs using the talents God has given to you.

Use your talents

Every one of us has a talent given by God above.  You may not view your abilities as a talent given from God but they truly are.  As each part of our body is needed to make a fully-functional human body, so is each talent and ability given to make Christ’s fully-functional precious church! We can’t all be good cooks because we also need someone to work on the Pastor’s computer when it goes down.

Are you a good cook? Make some extra food at your next meal for someone who could use a “touch” from the Lord. Notice I said, “from the Lord”?  Your talents are to be used for the glory of God, not yours.  Be that “Jesus with skin on” and let the Lord meet their need through you.  When you are a humble and willing servant, you accomplish the Master’s tasks no matter if you receive a thank you or not.  Your joy will come from being willing to be used of God.

If you cannot deliver the meal yourself, ask someone else in your church if they would like to do so. Some people don’t like to cook but they don’t mind delivering a meal to someone in need. God will put the two of you together and you’ll make a good team.  Working together strives to make your church family a well rounded, fully-functional family.  Each one using his/her talent for the Lord!  Maybe someone else likes to make cards and has one that could be included with the meal.  As well, maybe someone else has a beautiful flower garden and would like to include a bouquet of flowers.  Do you see how God can be glorified through your abilities?  The meal deliverer can also keep an eye open for things that may need to be done in the dear Saint’s home.  For example, as she sits and chats for a bit, she can see if housework is needed.  When can let the church secretary know this and the house cleaning can be assigned to ladies who love to do this.  Or if a shutter is falling off a window, or any other fix-it project, etc.  She can call the Pastor and let him know so he can assign it to one of his men.

Maybe you are home bound yourself but want to help others? Pick up the phone and call someone in need of an encouraging word. You would be amazed how much of a blessing it is for a dear bed ridden Saint to receive a call just because someone cared about them! Even if it is just to say that the Lord had laid them on your heart and you wanted to say, “Hi.”

Do you like to write? Send a card or just a short note. I have found that God will usually cause someone’s name in my church directory to “pop out” at me. This person will come up to me later and tell me that my note was exactly what they needed that day.  Although I feel great that my card was appreciated, I feel wonderful that the Lord met the need of that dear Saint.

Can you spare a few hours to do someone’s grocery shopping who is home bound? Do you like to clean? How about offering to clean a new Momma’s house because her hands are full with a colicky baby. Do you love to play the piano? Go to a nursing home and play for the elderly. When my husband was in the hospital for his cancer surgery, a dear lady would go up and down the hallways playing her harp!  You could hear sound as she rounded the corner and the melodies of the harp calmed the heart!  Now here is a lady who was using her talent to be a blessing to those who are bed ridden.  Was she a Christian?  I don’t know.  But what a blessing she was to this lady as I sat there watching my beloved sleeping.  It was as if the Lord was reaching out to me and calming my weary spirit!

What do you do best? What gifts has God given to you? The possibilities are endless! Everyone has a talent that God has blessed them with. Use your talent for the glory of God!

results

When we are yielded to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, He is busy at work in the lives of others at the same time that He is directing us. He will use us to minister to those in need. So let’s be diligent. When we are serving God in this capacity, He will bless us and will help us not to grow weary in our Christian walk. It will amaze you how much your outlook on your own circumstances will change for the good even though your own trials have not improved!

I pray that today’s devotional has been a blessing to you.  I have often felt as though God couldn’t use me.  My abilities are writing and being an encourager – whether that is here on this blog or in a note card or phone call, I can use them.  This allows the God of Glory to reveal Himself to those in need!

Won’t you be yielded today?  It is wonderful to know that you are needed by God.  It is wonderful to know that despite your physical impairments, you can still be used to encourage the life of another!  My spiritual mother has fibromyalgia.  Despite the excruciating pain that she suffers 24/7, she ministers to the lost by sending out devotionals, tracts, Bibles, etc.  She ministers to the sick by sending care packages with music, literature, etc.  This is her ministry despite her circumstances.  She may not see reward this side of Heaven, but once she goes home to be with the Lord, she will meet all those Saints whose lives she has touched.

Let God use you, my friend.  Do not be weary in well doing!  Continue for the cause of Christ.  Look at what He suffered through yet He continued.  He knew what He would have to go through, yet He continued.  Press on for the glory of God!  God will combine your abilities with those in your church family and together He will use your talents for His ultimate glory!

© Kate Plourde 2009

The picture above was taken by Carol Meyers and used here with her permission. She has traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and has captured so many pictures which depict peace and tranquility. Thank you, Carol, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!

For this devotional series “For the Weary,” I will be using pictures taken by Carol Meyers with her permission. She has traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and has captured so many pictures which depict peace and tranquility. Thank you, Carol, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!

Finding Healing

~Malachi 4:2a But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;

~Luke 9:11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

Finding healing … we all are in need of some kind of healing, aren’t we? Some of us have physical problems. Some have spiritual problems. Others have emotional problems. We live in an age where there is a doctor for every kind of problem known to man!

When it comes to the spiritual problems, however, Preachers are the ones we turn to. They find themselves counseling members for all sorts of spiritual problems. Healing cannot be found if the sick one does not apply the recommendation given to them. A doctor can prescribe a pill or recommend a surgery, but if the patient does not take the advice, he will not get better. It is the same with the spiritual help. The Pastor can recommend but he cannot force the Christian to read his Bible, etc.

perfect Healing

God is perfect, however, and promises healing to those who seek Him. God’s healing is not a “hope so” but a definite one! Does everyone who has physical problems get healed by God? No! Sometimes those with illness are more able to help others because they have the compassion to serve because of their illness. God does not promise to heal all physical problems, but he does promise to be there with you. He will also provide rest and healing to those who are spiritually sick and have become weary.

~Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

You can tell when you have come across a Christian stricken with a chronic illness and who has drawn close to God. This person does not have his eyes on his own pain and suffering, but has placed them on the needs of others. You can also tell a Christian who has not been drawing close to God during his trial.

~Job 7:11 Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

You have been around people like this, haven’t you? I have and it is not encouraging to say the least! The person who does not seek healing in God’s Word becomes so bitter that the only thing that comes out of their mouth is complaining.

The remedy

(1) Matthew 11:29 says to take Christ’s yoke upon us and learn of Him. If you picture a yoke in your mind’s eye, you will see it has two openings – for two oxen heads. Place yourself in one opening and look to the other – it is there that Christ has promised to be – right along side of you so that your burden, whatever that may be, is lighter. You are not carrying it alone in your spiritual battle! You are not alone in your physical battle! You are not alone in your emotional battle! My friend, the King of kings and Lord of lords is in the other opening of your yoke! Woah! That packs a whallop, doesn’t it? Half of our battle is realizing that we are not alone and that someone cares about us.

(2) Secondly, Christ says in verse 29 to learn of Him and you will find rest. Being in the Word of God will cleanse you and, thus, bring spiritual and emotional healing.

~Psa 119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

The chronically ill Christian can avoid bitterness by being in the Word. It is there he will learn what Christ would have him to learn. Jesus brings healing with each word. But you must read it to glean. It’s like the old saying, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.” The answers to your problems may not be the answers you were looking for but they will always be what the Lord says is best for your life. Furthermore, your problem may not go away but your attitude about it will have changed.

Jesus has the medicine for us for every area of our lives. He may not choose to heal your physical problems but He has exactly what you need, when you need it, for your spiritual life. Rather than wallow in self pity and be miserable and bitter, lean on Christ who is helping you to carry the weight of illness in your yoke. It is the physically sick Christian who needs to be careful so he does not get to the point of weariness. The sick Christian needs to be in his Bible more because he will find himself growing weary. He will find himself getting discouraged. Jesus said to learn of Him – He will teach you how to remove this burden and rest in His care.

Discipline yourself from dwelling on your illness. Instead, place your eyes on someone else. It is when we are busy helping others that we are able to keep our eyes off the pain in our bodies. When you take your eyes off others, you will soon find yourself hurting more and becoming bitter.

Learn from Christ and find rest!

© Kate Plourde 2009