PRAISING THE LORD DURING THE STORM!

 

 

After a nine and half day stay in the hospital and still recovering and overcoming a major illness there is much to be thankful for.  

 

I was hospitalized with a severe case of Acute Pancreatitis where my pancreas shut down and the inflammation and pain affected my intestines, kidneys, stomach and other vital organs.  Pancreatitis is very painful and the pain radiates 360 degrees around the abdomen shooting pain into the back.

 

While in the hospital I would continue to play my worship music on my cell phone and praise the Lord.  I even had several ministry opportunities during my stay as I ministered too much of the staff as they were aware of my beliefs in Christ Jesus as well as my ministry.

 

I am on the road to recovery and stand on the Word of God that I am healed by His stripes and knowing that Jesus bore my pain on my behalf.  My pancreas is healing and I am getting stronger by the moment.  I was released from the hospital only 2 days ago and I felt the need to be in the House of The Lord singing praise and worship with my brother’s and sister’s in Christ Jesus.  Last night I could have stayed home focused on recovery, pain and financial burdens but my Spirit wanted to worship in the house of the Lord and so while my flesh is weak my Spirit is strong!  I enjoyed a wonderful evening of worship and praise along with the Word of God!  

 

While in the hospital I agreed to have the nurses in training school to assist in my care as I enjoyed their hearts to serve others and their caring ways.  One in particular had a questionnaire from school and asked if she could ask me some questions.  I agreed.

 

One question in particular while rather broad in nature had many facets that needed to be discussed, as there were many considerations and attributes to this question.

 

DOES SPIRITUALITY COINCIDE WITH ONE’S HEALTH?

 

I told the nursing student that I would reply to her question but that the question itself was very broad and that there were many considerations and variables that I wanted to address.  

 

As we talked I told her first off that my health does not define God or Jesus for there is a separation of body and spirit and that I can worship the Lord Jesus for who He is and not how I am or how I feel.  My sickness does not define who Jesus is in my life for Jesus is my healer.  Would we need a healer if there were no sickness?  I also told her that as I became ill after a long day of work I sat in my chair with the chills and nausea I sought the Lord and asked the Lord what my illness was.  Without hesitation the Lord spoke and told me pancreatitis.  The Lord continued to tell me to drive to the emergency room or that I would need an ambulance if I procrastinated.   So I drove myself to the hospital emergency room and told the emergency room doctor that I had pancreatitis, as that is what the Lord spoke.

 

In the book of Job we learn of many challenges that Job faced including losing his family, wealth and even his health was under attack.  Through it all people accused him of having sin, which contributed to his struggles and illness.  Even Job’s wife told him to curse God and die and yet Job would not take the Lord’s name in vain or blame the Lord for his afflictions and tribulations.  

 

Job 1:21 (NKJV)

And he said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked shall I return there.

The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;

Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

 

Job 2:9 (NKJV)

9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!”

 

 

My comfort is in Christ Jesus and the Word of God.  If you have difficulty praising the Lord “in the storm” you will likely not praise the Lord when things are going well.  Personally I can’t imagine a life without praise and worship for the Lord Jesus!  

 

While I agree that spirituality has a major role in our health I also know that regardless of my health, trials and tribulations that Jesus is on the throne and with me through the storms of my life as well as the storms of your life.  He will never leave us or forsake us!

 

Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

 

 

We must remember that there is a separation of Spirit from body/soul and that we can and should always worship the Lord in Spirit and Truth regardless of our circumstances, trials or tribulations.  We know that we will face trials and tribulations for Christ himself faced and overcame the world and the trials and tribulations of this world. 

 

John 4:24 (NKJV)

24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

 

John 16:33 (NKJV)

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

 

 

We are in the world but not of the world and we are seated in heavenly places.  I chose to praise the Lord for protecting me and giving me the grace to complete my day of work.  I chose to praise the Lord during and in my affliction!  Praise is warfare!  Praise and thanksgiving welcomes the presence of the Lord!

 

2 Corinthians 10:3 (NKJV)

 

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

 

 

My illness started during my workday. I was over 3 hours away from home and was in a strange area for me.  I would not have known where the local hospital was.  This would also have impacted the ability of my brother’s and sister’s in Christ from visiting me while I was hospitalized. I would have been responsible for my work vehicle and all it’s contents.  The Lord’s grace was sufficient for me to finish the day of work and get me home.  

 

While in the hospital I chose to partner with the Word of God and the promises of God that Jesus bore my pain and afflictions.  There were even moments in the hospital where I would laugh at the enemy as I continued to worship and praise the Lord Jesus in the hospital.

 

It’s amazing that with one text message people around the world were praying for me!  Even my brother’s and sister’s in Christ from other countries!  I even received telephone calls from people that I have ministered to and become family and fiends, one in the family of Christ.  They would call and tell me that the Lord told them to pray for me, asking if I was ok.  When I said praise the Lord for putting me on your heart and for your prayers as I am hospitalized.  

 

It would be easy to fall into a sense of pity, isolation and despair in this time but I know Jesus and will praise Him in the storms of my life as well as every day of my life!  

 

Being in the hospital was nothing I desired but I kept my heart and mind on the Lord and even gave words of knowledge, prophecy and words of encouragement to the staff and others unto the Lord.  

 

Our personal situations, trials and tribulations do not define the Lord, how we overcome through the grace of God and the Love of Christ is for others to witness His Glory and Sovereignty.  

 

So my prayer for you is that you will always have a heart of praise for the Lord and know that you are never alone or forsaken even in the difficult times of your life.  May you always rest in the abiding presence of the Lord and may the peace of the Lord be your strength!

 

I’d like to thank everyone for their prayers and power of agreement that Jesus is Jehovah Rapha!  

 

Blessings in Christ Jesus,

Glen