Hey there,

Well, I am glad to see you this week! It's always a joy to know you're reading these little tips! This week has been about the third week I've been flaring, very sore. I'm hoping I may be able to get back on one of my medications at least for the summer, but my lab tests for my liver have been higher than usual so I'm not sure.

School is out and I've been busy trying to keep Josh, my 6-year-old son busy. My parents arrived last week for a week, and today they are at Sea World with Joshua. They leave Friday morning and then it's back to summer craziness with the 4th just around the corner!

Please keep our ministry in your prayers and all of the volunteers. My assistant Kara continues to recover from surgery, Kay, our devotional coordinator had surgery last week. And many others are suffering in a variety of ways. It seems to unfair that people give so much of themselves and yet still must suffer, but I know they are witnessing to so many they come into contact with, whether it's at the hospital, bank, or car repair shop. But they really appreciate your prayer support. It does make a difference!

Here are the blog posts I have written this week.

• Health Care Reform – Just Checking In
• Buzzy Brings Relief When Getting Shots
  
• Why Health (or Illness) Bloggers Blog
  
• My Favorite New Web Site for “Deals”
  
• Father’s Day Reminder… Kids are Watching
• L’Oreal’s Color of Hope Make Up Changes Lives
• Are You Being Charged Incorrectly for Medical Bills?

I get a lot of amazing article submitted by people who have found a new level of faith, despite the pain of living with chronic illness. Perhaps, even you have a blog or are a writer! If so, please consider submitting an article for us to print here sometime. Just send it to me at rest@restministries.org.

Anyway, I think I found one that you will really like. It's by Jonnie Wright who is one of our wonderful supporters (see her ads above) and author of two terrific Bible studies on chronic llness that we've carried in our Comfort Zone bookstore since she first wrote them.

I hope you enoy. . .

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Said the Spider to the Fly

Chronic illness is like a spider waiting for its victim. We who suffer struggle against the sticky circumstances of life-style changes, daily, unexpected impediments, relationship pressures, and moment by moment pain. We do not want to be where we are. We cannot control our environment. We have no say-so over our body's betrayal. We labor forward in the hope that if we exert enough energy searching for relief, we will find it. "Welcome to my home," said the spider to the fly.

I certainly feel as if I am a fly caught in the web of pain and fear. God created the spider & the web, and He created me. I know this. Why, then, is it so terribly hard to reach through those painful, fearful circumstances to take His hand and let Him lead?

Perhaps the answer is arrogance, or pride. I know, how can anyone who is so limited in choices be full of pride? Yet don't we struggle for moments, or even days, in our own strength? Doesn't "Oh, God!" often sound more like a lament than a prayer? How do we disengage from the sin of self-will that so easily ensnares us? Why is, "just take it to Jesus," sound as if it's not enough when our very breath comes from Him?

The answers to my questions are not easy to find, and I like easy. In fact, I want to stick my head in the sand and not think about my difficulties. But it's just not that simple. Pain is a Siren's call that must be answered.

Yet the truth shall set us free, if we but humble ourselves before God, and allow Him to lift us up--whether or not we are in pain. This truth cannot be ignored nor over-shadowed by our circumstances: God can pluck us out of the web of fear caused by the unknown in our lives when we learn the lesson to submit to His will. And thus the lesson of the spider and the fly.

God is who He says He is.
God can do what He says He can do.
I am who God says I am.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
God's word is living and active in my life.

Do you suffer from chronic pain and want to discover encouragement in God's Word? Jonnie Wright, who wrote the article above, is also the author of two Bible studies, The Silver Bullet: God's Rx for Chronic Pain and the sequel, Changes: Managing Chronic Pain. They are written for easy use by those who are physically suffering.

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So until next week, may you continue to know that we are here for you to pray for you and offer encouragement of the Lord during this difficult journey.

I know times are difficult right now. Proverbs 15:16 says, "Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil."

Many blessings,

Lisa Copen
Founder and Director
Rest Ministries Chronic Illness Pain Support
Get my blog via email: http://ow.ly/a0xN