TIME FOR REFLECTION David Register / May 01, 2022
First of all, I want say Thank You! I really appreciate all the calls, texts, cards and prayers during my illness. It’s great to know I’m part of a family who cares for each other.
During my illness I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on different things in life. One thing, is how I respond to difficult times. I thought about the pain I was in and how I could best deal with it. The apostle Paul came to mind in how he dealt with pain and suffering, specifically his and Silas’ reaction in Acts 16 when they were thrown into prison after having been severely beaten:
22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
Their reaction is astounding:
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Could I react to the pain I was in the same way Paul and Silas did? I began to try my best to focus on Jesus when the cramps and pain hit. I spared the nurses and those around me the agony of listening to me sing, but I did pray hard during those times and thanked God for Paul’s examples and for Jesus and the pain and suffering he also endured for me.
Hebrews 12:2-3 tells us Jesus considered it a joy to suffer on the cross for us:
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Now that I’m feeling much better, I pray that I can continue to have this same attitude when life becomes challenging. I pray that I focus on praising and thanking God, knowing that the challenges I face in this life will never compare to what Jesus went through for me.
