July 7, 2025. I just returned home from an Ortho Doctor appointment after 5 days of debilitating back pain that arrived without warning. I have never had a back situation in my life. (Good news…no weird damage and RX of steroids, PT, etc. for the hopeful cure).
The thing is, my backache has required that I rest over the last 5 days. I’ve done a lot of lying down, binging movies and scrolling. Like the rest of you, my heart has been shredded by the Texas flooding. I laid in bed literally tears dropping on my pillowcase and repeating the words “Oh Jesus, please help them.”
This sits on top of a loss we recently experienced leading to compounded pain, tears and grief.
Physical pain. Heart ache. Grief. Tears. Where do we go? The verses that are sustaining me are: Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail, They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
The word consumed jumps off the page because I am feeling consumed. I am thankful, however, that the Lord’s LOVE will not allow me to be consumed by the physical pain, the tears, the loss or the grief.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed. Amen and Amen .
To help more practically with the Texas recovery efforts, here are two reliable organizations:
Nice words of encouragement in times of sorrow.
So sorry you are struggling physically!
There are lots of things in life that bring grief and sorrow. I am encouraged by Paul’s words to Timothy when he was in tears 2 Tim 1. Paul reminds Timothy to stir-up the gift that is in him. We have to be reminded and stir up the sword of God that is deposited in us. I also like Col. 3:1-4, seek the things above and set your affection on them.
You always exhort me with God’s word to encourage and stretch me. Thank you for sharing, Cheryl.
Lisa, this post is raw and beautiful. Thank you for sharing so vulnerably the hard parts of our stories but at the same time reminding us of the HOPE and POWER we have in the Word of God. And, how when God allows circumstances to slow us down, we have a choice on what to do in that stillness and rest. And you’ve turned to Him and you’ve poured into and encouraged others like me, both personally and here. I love you, friend.
You have been such support of intercession and encouragement through this, Wendy. Thank you so much.