In what ways might God use your chronic condition to advance his gospel? Think of the people he places in your path and your response to them.
Is there a family member or friend who regularly helps you? How often do you pause to thank them? Make a habit of expressing gratitude to others who tend to your needs. Coming from you in your condition? It would speak volumes!
Think of the doctors, nurses, and even your pharmacist who might be influenced by your attitude. Have you ever written a thank you note to your radiologist, oncologist, or orthopedic surgeon? Don’t put it off—and include an encouraging Scripture.
Your bed, crutch, or wheelchair provides a powerful platform for worship and intercession. Read Psalm 31:7 and Psalm 149:5–9 and grasp a fresh vision for the import your pain gives each of your prayers!
Rather than pour out your troubles to everyone, ask God to connect you with one or two praying friends with whom you can honestly share your anguish. Let them carry your burden, rather than lay it on everyone else (Gal. 6:2).
Most of the verses written about praise in God’s Word were penned by men and women who faced intolerable situations. So make this a daily prayer: “Lord God, the Good News is the goal of my day. Help me not to complain about my problems, but to see them as opportunities to share the gospel.”
God is especially honored when we offer a sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:15). He is glorified when we offer words of adoration wrenched from a pained and bruised heart. He values the precious weight of each word of praise that is sacrificed, whether it’s a quiet prayer of determination or an outright cry of anguish (Ps. 10:17). It is only through Jesus that we are able to offer a sacrifice of praise. Why? Because Jesus was God’s sacrifice for us. Is it asking too much, then, for us to sacrifice mere words? Never!
