Hope at the Top of the Staircase
Diane Chamberlain

1/11/06

[HOST_Carolann] I think we will get started. Welcome again everyone! And a special welcome to Diane Chamberlain who is our guest speaker for today.
[HOST_Carolann] Diane knows what it is like to live with deep pain both physical and emotional.
[HOST_Carolann] She is the author of a book called You Are Not Alone in a Lonely World.
[HOST_Carolann] Diane has learned that though we may live in a lonely world we don't need to feel alone in our circumstances.
[HOST_Carolann] Even though life's struggles are like hard steps to climb in life, she is here today to talk about how There's Hope at the Top of the Staircase.
[HOST_Carolann] There is a special handout you can get by going to www.restministries.org/CHAT/handout_chamberlain.pdf
[HOST_Carolann] Welcome Diane, and I will turn our time over to you.
GUEST_Diane> Thank you Carolann for inviting me to the chat room today. Welcome to the chat room today. I am Diane Chamberlain, author of "You Are Not Alone In A Lonely World".
GUEST_Diane> I was born with a congenital problem in both of my knees.
GUEST_Diane> Those problems led me through 21 knee surgeries.
GUEST_Diane> To this day I live with a rod in my right leg, along with some chronic pain at times.
GUEST_Diane> Many lessons were learned through those years, but one has stood out in my life.
GUEST_Diane> I would like to share that lesson with you today…"Hope at the Top of the Staircase".
GUEST_Diane> One day God began to show me, that life with Him can be like a staircase, that's leading us up to Heaven.
GUEST_Diane> Each step resembling pain, suffering and trials that we may go through on There may be times when pain and circumstance can be so overwhelming, that the steps become too steep to climb.
GUEST_Diane> Sometimes before we can make it through to the next step, God has to produce more growth in our lives first, and make us stronger to handle other things we may go through on the steps.
GUEST_Diane> In order for Him to give us His strength, we must become weak first.
GUEST_Diane> II Corinthians 12: 9 says My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
GUEST_Diane> When we give God love and glory in the middle of our circumstance, we open a door for God to work through that love, instead of allowing the circumstance to bring us down.
GUEST_Diane> God taught me to never let the circumstance take over. That's when we end up sitting hopeless in our "Ashes of Despair"… never able to climb the staircase.
GUEST_Diane> When we allow that to happen, we have opened a door to satan, where he comes in and uses our weakness to make us even weaker, causing us to even fall a few steps down.
GUEST_Diane> Through our pain and trials, we need to keep focusing on Him, instead of the circumstance.
GUEST_Diane> By praying, talking to God, reading His word, along with other encouraging literature and people, we gain a positive attitude that keeps us soaring up with God, instead of allowing our weakness to be controlled by satan.
GUEST_Diane> By getting close to God, we suddenly gain the strength to climb the next step of that Heavenly staircase.
GUEST_Diane> We will still face challenges and trials but as the steps go by, we will be able to handle our pain or trial in a better way through Him.
GUEST_Diane> Each step will make us even stronger then the step before.
GUEST_Diane> When we finally reach that last step of the staircase to Heaven, God will take us into His arms of love.
GUEST_Diane> He will take the weights or shackles of suffering off, that have weighed us down for so long.
GUEST_Diane> Even though the sufferings of this world try to knock on Heavens door…once we enter, He will not allow them in.
GUEST_Diane> We will be safe and free from all suffering forever. What Hope!
GUEST_Diane> That's been my light, at the end of a very dark tunnel of pain.
GUEST_Diane> Gods shown me through the hard times that whatever He starts, He ALWAYS finishes and I know that He wants to do the same in your life.
GUEST_Diane> When God made this world, He didn't just put branches on one side of a tree or He didn't make a mountain without a peak, so why would He start you up the staircase to Heaven and leave you abandoned on a step?
GUEST_Diane> He wants the best for us and sometimes we have to learn through our weaknesses.
GUEST_Diane> God may be using your circumstance for some reason.
GUEST_Diane> Don't try to climb the steps alone.
GUEST_Diane> It's too difficult and when we try to climb on our own, there's always a chance of falling, especially if we aren't strong enough.
GUEST_Diane> Let Him strengthen you first, and then He will help you up that steep step of circumstance towards Heaven.
GUEST_Diane> Let me close with Philippians 4:13…I can do ALL things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. I would like to open up the chat room now for discussion time. Please feel free to share anything that's on your heart. I would be more then happy to answer any questions you may have about the speech or my ministry and book. Thanks! Diane
blessed_valley> Thank you Diane for the beautiful words
GUEST_Diane> Your welcome!
Mary_Lou> Yes, that's an excellent way of looking at it.
[HOST_Carolann] I like the comparison of being strengthened for each step, just as our muscles get stronger with the exercise
Kate> I agree, we learn through our weaknesses that God can give us strength
blessed_valley> Paul gave us the words to hold onto when he instructed us to hope
blessed_valley> Yes Kate
GUEST_Diane> I have seen God do so much in my life and one thing I know is that He doesn't play favorites
GUEST_Diane> We just need to remember that's it's in His time
blessed_valley> No Diane He doesn't
[HOST_Carolann] I was just thinking about that yesterday Diane, thinking why do some have an easier life than others
blessed_valley> waiting on the Lord is one of the most difficult lessons to learn
GUEST_Diane> I always wondered that too. I use to sit around and think about all my circumstances, compared to others
GUEST_Diane> God showed me that He uses us all in different ways
Pamela> Thanks Diane. I too have discovered that my strength is made perfect in weakness and have found it true that when I am a weak then I am really strong because that is when I depend on Christ and His strength
GUEST_Diane> Yes, Pamela
GUEST_Diane> We can either remain in our weakness, or let God use it
[HOST_Carolann] Diane when you say you have "fallen down" a step or 2, how you pick yourself back up and keep going?
Pamela> May I address Carolyn's question because the Lord was just speaking to me about that very thing last weekend
[HOST_Carolann] sure Pamela go ahead
GUEST_Diane> I working for a prize, Carolann
GUEST_Diane> I'm running a race to Heaven and I don't have time to sit and let my problems take me over
Pamela> Remember the words in the bible where one of the disciples is asking Jesus about another saying something like "well what about him?"
[HOST_Carolann] yes I think they were asking about John?
blessed_valley> that was Peter asking about John
Pamela> I think Jesus was talking to John about how he would be around for a long time
Pamela> Well Jesus said basically "get your eyes off him... it's not your concern what I want to do in his life... you follow me"
[HOST_Carolann] that's very good Pamela, it would do me good to remember that!
Pamela> I was very convicted about that... very gently I must say because God is always so gentle
GUEST_Diane> In order to pick ourselves back up, we have to keep our eyes off the circumstance and get focused by on God
Pamela> I need to remember it is about my relationship with Jesus
[HOST_Carolann] yes our focus must be on God and our relationship with Him, not what others are particularly doing
blessed_valley> Remember Peter walked on water when He kept his eyes on Jesus
GUEST_Diane> When my eyes leave Him, I become weak again. If we get into weakness, we have opened the door to satan
Pamela> and when he took his eyes off Jesus he started to sink
GUEST_Diane> Yes, Pamela
GUEST_Diane> We have to keep the door to Jesus open instead
[HOST_Carolann] when I climb the stairs I need to watch where I'm going so it's the same in life
Pamela> I never looked at it like that Diane but I guess you're right.. I give satan a foot hold
blessed_valley> that is what happens to us when we focus on the circumstances
[HOST_Carolann] he always attacks at our weakest points I think
Pamela> oh how true
GUEST_Diane> It's as though we are saying, come on in satan, the door is open
Pamela> gosh I don't want that to happen anymore
GUEST_Diane> satan can only work on weakness. He can never supersede God
GUEST_Diane> We need to remain strong in God, that way the door stays slammed to satan
blessed_valley> something I have used in my ministry was told me years ago
GUEST_Diane> We are still going to have our times, but we must get up and get focused on Him again
blessed_valley> to lean heavily on the Lord
[HOST_Carolann] that can be a process and not a once and for all thing
GUEST_Diane> Yes, blessed valley
Pamela> I love the song I heard on KLOVE this morning... it says "when I call on Jesus all things are possible"
Kate> yes, sometimes depending on God for our next moment, to sustain us
Mary_Lou> That makes me think of 1 peter 5:8: Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in faith.
blessed_valley> in times of weakness physically we use crutches or canes or walkers
blessed_valley> We need to let the Spirit walk us in the weakness
GUEST_Diane> That's another thing Blessed Valley. Let's not allow our circumstance to be a crutch, that we lean on. Let God hold you up
[HOST_Carolann] that's an excellent verse Mary Lou
blessed_valley> Yes Mary Lou but don't forget the submitting to God comes first
[HOST_Carolann] we "stand in the faith" by first submitting to God I guess
GUEST_Diane> Carolann made a very good point. We may not always be strong, but if we get back with God, He will give us the strength
blessed_valley> yes
GUEST_Diane> Yes, Carolann
[HOST_Carolann] I think the title of your book Diane very interesting
blessed_valley> the Greek word for submit means to through over complete obedience
GUEST_Diane> I know that God will help you all. He has become my dearest friend and I don't know what I would do without Him
[HOST_Carolann] alone in a lonely world - it presupposes we live in a lonely world
Pamela> there are times when I fall to my knees and cry out for God to take control of my emotions... and it is so amazing how He does exactly that .. and I am soon able to walk into my day with joy
[HOST_Carolann] I know that many of us feel lonely in our isolation with illness
GUEST_Diane> Yes, we do live in a lonely world, but with God we don't have to face these problems alone
blessed_valley> Actually Carolann those suffering do
[HOST_Carolann] yes blessed valley that's true
GUEST_Diane> I know that pain too. It's been 39 years of pain and surgeries
Pamela> Oh and Diane He is a most wonderful friend isn't He?
Kate> I think there is no doubt this is a lonely world
GUEST_Diane> It can be so overwhelming
[HOST_Carolann] yes it can
Kate> often people do not want to mention suffering
Kate> but we suffer
Kate> Jesus suffered and none of us are immune
[HOST_Carolann] we don't like to show our weakness maybe Kate
GUEST_Diane> Kate, the suffering may remain, but God is there to sustain you and hold your hand through it all
Kate> yes, we are encouraged to keep the brave face on
blessed_valley> no we don't Carolann
Mary_Lou> Do you ever have days when you'd prefer NOT to climb the stairs, but would like Jesus to fly you to the top and have all the suffering behind you? I'm okay with the climb most days, but some days I just sit on the step and whine!
Kate> rather than to ask for help from friends or family
blessed_valley> that is true Kate
[HOST_Carolann] it's too bad we can't feel more free to be weak and ask for help - I think it would be healthier
blessed_valley> often for me
GUEST_Diane> Oh, for sure
Kate> Yes, it would be better if we felt free to ask for help
Kate> but I think our society often looks down when our weaknesses are displayed
[HOST_Carolann] help to climb the staircase, like Diane mentioned in her talk
Kate> yes, help to ascend
blessed_valley> But remember that the crowd does not understand
GUEST_Diane> I thank God for this Chat Room! At least we have a place where we can talk with others who go through similar things
blessed_valley> look what they did to blind Bartimaus
Margie> Kate, you are making wonderful points.
Kate> thank you
Kate> I am enjoying this talk
LRae> Yes, I have friends who are just ready for me to all better so I feel I can't ask them for help anymore
[HOST_Carolann] yes Diane it is a valuable ministry for many people
Kate> yes, it is difficult when people lose patience with us
[HOST_Carolann] LRae isn't that often the truth? people just wait for us to "get on with it" and start being like everyone else
GUEST_Diane> This world can be a cold world, that why we need God as the light in our darkness.
LRae> Amen
Pamela> Amen
blessed_valley> What is even more frustrating is what Diane brought out
Kate> Yes, it is why Jesus walks through our valleys, holding our hands
[HOST_Carolann] people are afraid of weakness maybe because they think it could happen to them?
Kate> He understands when others do not
blessed_valley> that it is in God's time
blessed_valley> not ours
Kate> I think you are right Carolann
GUEST_Diane> If we can at least see a glimpse of His light, we can go through any pathway
blessed_valley> it is not only that but from child hood we are taught to be strong
blessed_valley> no crying
[HOST_Carolann] yes, Diane, His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path
Kate> I am so glad to know that Jesus wept
blessed_valley> yes
Kate> and that He felt alone
Kate> because He understands my feelings
[HOST_Carolann] yes Kate He felt every depth of every emotion
blessed_valley> and you know the bible instruct us to weep
[HOST_Carolann] grief is not a weakness
Kate> so true
Margie> I am going to be the "weak" one here, and admit that though I love the Lord I can feel alone in my illness and pain. I know He is watching, but I feel alone anyway.
Pamela> grief is how we heal...
GUEST_Diane> God is there to wrap His arms around you while you weep.
Kate> denial is a weakness, one that I have learned from
Kate> when I admit my need to God, He comes through
Kate> His mercy sustains me
[HOST_Carolann] Margie I think many would agree with you - it's seems better if we had a live flesh and blood presence
GUEST_Diane> Margie, try to keep your circumstance on the step below God, instead of above God
Pamela> Margie... I'm sorry you are feeling so alone today... I hope it helps to be surrounded by a group of like women
[HOST_Carolann] and men
Pamela> oh yes... sorry Ron
Bob_m> whew
[HOST_Carolann] :)
Pamela> and Bob
blessed_valley> James 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Kate> One thing I learned is that aloneness does not have to mean loneliness
Kate> For me, that lesson was quite a long process
samson> Margie I think I know how you feel
GUEST_Diane> Yes, Kate...good point
blessed_valley> James 4:10 Humble you selves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up!
[HOST_Carolann] what do you do at a really lonely moment Kate?
Kate> God will step into our lives, the more we invite Him, the more He is there
Kate> I pray aloud
Kate> conversational prayer to God as though He is with me
GUEST_Diane> I talk to Him, as I would a friend and that helps me alot
Kate> and I spend time with my pets
Kate> they are something I can reach out and touch and receive affection from them
[HOST_Carolann] God brings different ways and means to comfort us, and speak to us of His care for us
Kate> I also go to a different room in the house
Kate> change my scene
Kate> or go to a Christian forum such as this
[HOST_Carolann] those are some good suggestions
LRae> Something that really helps me when I feel so alone and desperate is to put on some good praise music and spend time singing praise and worship songs. God says He inhabits the praises of His people and I have found that to be very true. I begin focusing on all of who God is and my pain, aloneness, etc., seem to lessen as I become more aware of how awesome He is.
samson> How do you get started when you are so down with all the illness ,depression and unknowness of a husbands illness, that you feel like crawling in a hole and not talking to any one most days
blessed_valley> Carolann I have found that when I am my lowest and I will listen to God , He will bring someone to me that is in desperate need of Him
Kate> Samson, that is when it is most important to talk to God
[HOST_Carolann] that is excellent LRae
GUEST_Diane> Samson, I believe that God reads your heart and pain, when you can't speak
blessed_valley> I begin to concentrate on their need and pray for them
[HOST_Carolann] and blessed valley
Kate> Yes, praise music and some old fashioned hymns really help me
samson> thank you
blessed_valley> That is true Diane
[HOST_Carolann] samson I agree it feels like a deep dark hole and you can't find your way out, but to take just the smallest steps towards God will get you on the way back out
Kate> Sometimes I am comforted by things from my youth
blessed_valley> One of the hardest lessons I learned was how to pray without ceasing
Kate> old songs, old photos, sending a email to someone I knew long ago
blessed_valley> Your spirit has to be in constant communion with the Father
GUEST_Diane> There was a time in my life, when I was going through so much, that all I could do was to write on my shower curtain in the stead, Oh God Help Me! I knew in my heart that He got my message
[HOST_Carolann] yes blessed valley we need that connection to God
Ron> I find that when I am down in a hole I start by giving thanks to God for His creation we enjoy - trees, flowers etc
blessed_valley> Good thought Ron
[HOST_Carolann] isn't that neat Diane, we don't need alot of fancy words
GUEST_Diane> Good point Ron
[HOST_Carolann] He sees our hearts
GUEST_Diane> No we don't
Kate> yes, our words can be silent, written on the tablets of our hearts
samson> I think a part of my spirit was broken or something it used to be here and now it feels so hopeless
blessed_valley> I believe it was Paul that said at times we don't know what to pray for and that is when the Spirit utters groaning unutterable
Mary_Lou> Yes, that's in Romans 8, blessed valley.
Kate> Samson, prolonged suffering can cause a person to lose hope but God will come to comfort us and to give us His strength
blessed_valley> remember samson we are the clay and He is the potter
Kate> I think God wants to be invited into our lives daily
[HOST_Carolann] our circumstances can be overwhelming and as Diane reminded us in her talk we need to let God strengthen us to handle the next step
blessed_valley> yes Kate
GUEST_Diane> Samson, the circumstance you are going through has taken a toll. God is still there, just like the road is still there in the fog
[HOST_Carolann] amen Diane
Kate> and light will break through fog
Kate> light from Heaven
[HOST_Carolann] sometimes it takes time but God is still working in our lives
samson> You people are all helping me so much, I'm sitting here bawling so hard I can't hardly read or type
[HOST_Carolann] oh samson, I wish we could all give you a great big (((((((((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))))))))
blessed_valley> I believe it was Pamela that reminded us that God is gentle with His leading
samson> Thank you
Kate> Yes, a hug from me, Samson!
blessed_valley> and me
[HOST_Carolann] we know your pain samson, just hold on to Jesus
Kate> I know what it is like to cry the tears of anguish and confusion, but God is ready to help us
Pamela246> I have to admit that for me there were times when circumstances hit so hard I went into a depression and God helped me realize that I needed an antidepressant to help my body gain the strength it needed to even begin to see hope again
Kate> and He wants to hear our hearts' cry
GUEST_Diane> We are going through the wilderness in our lives and we need to depend on God to be our sunshine by day and our moon by night. When He takes us out of the wilderness, we will have the strength to climb the mountain. Then we will be able to look down on all He has done through the circumstances. Hugs from me too, Samson!!
[HOST_Carolann] that's an important point Pamela - God helps us in different ways and sometimes that means medications
Kate> Pamela, I think you are right
samson> do you think you people could check in here once in a while---sometimes I'm desperate to talk on this chat room and there's no one here.
Kate> sometimes medication helps us
Pamela246> have you considered that Samson?
[HOST_Carolann] especially when it comes to depression
Pamela246> absolutely
Pamela246> because depression depletes our bodies of seretonin
[HOST_Carolann] samson you can check the chat room schedule to see what other activities there are plus drop in any time
Pamela246> anyway, just a thought
blessed_valley> Pamela, My doctors have put me on Lexapro for depression
Pamela246> me too
Pamela246> and it really helped
GUEST_Diane> I would be more then glad to Samson! If any of you need a friend, feel free to e-mail me at DianChamberlain@aol.com
[HOST_Carolann] when are some good times to drop in Ron?
blessed_valley> I don't like leaning on medication but sometimes we are left with no choice
GUEST_Diane> This is part of my ministry
samson> I was on an antidepressant but the doc thinks I really need to talk---and I guess I learned today, that I don't really need live people to talk to JESUS would be OK!!
Kate> Samson, Jesus will provide you with people
Mary_Lou> If writing comes naturally to you, samson, you might try journaling your thoughts, pain, conversations with Jesus, etc.
Kate> maybe one or two
Pamela246> but we are live people and Jesus with skin on... or at least computers on :-)
Kate> We are the body of Christ, and He will supply this need
blessed_valley> Yes Samson, but don't leave off the talking to someone you can find to share your burdens with
Ron> Have a look at the chat schedule for the best times to come into the chatroom
[HOST_Carolann] Our hour is just about up, any closing words Diane?
GUEST_Diane> Just keep looking to Jesus...He's the only way
samson> Where do you find the chat room schedule
[HOST_Carolann] amen!! thank you so much Diane for being here today
Margie> Samson, remember other Christians struggle too - it is not all victory, all the time.
[HOST_Carolann] and for all of you who came out and for all your have shared
Kate> thanks Dian and Carolann
GUEST_Diane> Thank you Carolann
[HOST_Carolann] God bless you Diane in your life in Him and your ministry
Pamela246> Thank you all for the blessing today.
samson> Thanks everyone
Ron> http://www.hopekeepers.org/pro-chatschedule.htm Samson
Mary_Lou> Thank you very much for your presentation, Diane. May God continue to bless your ministry!
blessed_valley> Thank you so much for sharing Diane and Carolann
co-host_Debbie> Thank you very much Diane...wonderful talk
[HOST_Carolann] anyone who wants to stay and chat please feel free to do so
[HOST_Carolann] you're welcome
co-host_Debbie> Thank you for hosting Carolann
Kate> ok
guest_grace> Thank you -- this has been very insightful.
GUEST_Diane> My website is www.diane-chamberlain.com E-mail me at DianChamberlain@aol.com
Mary_Lou> God bless you all! Bye for now!
[HOST_Carolann] yes it has been an encouraging time
Ron> when the outlook is grim, the uplook is great
GUEST_Diane> God bless you all! You will be in my prayers!
[HOST_Carolann] thanks again Diane God bless
co-host_Debbie> God bless you Diane
Kate> thanks Diane