WORD-FILLED WEDNESDAY

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5:3-4

Hope.

I have really clung to hope over the last 2 and 1/2 years. It is one of the main things that helps me get through each new day as I continue to battle this illness and the pain and suffering that goes along with it. The past couple of weeks have been especially difficult. Each time I develop another serious bacterial infection, the bug is a bit more complicated to diagnose, the pain is even worse than the time before, the hospital stay is a little longer and it all is getting harder and harder to bear!

I am just so tired and weary. But I know I must persevere. I must cling to the Lord and trust in Him because I know He DOES have an amazing plan for my life and the lives of my family who spend much of their time caring for me.

This is most definitely not the first difficult trial my husband and I have endured. We have suffered several significant blows over the nearly 20 years we have been married. Most couples, if faced with the things we have been through, would have probably divorced a LONG, LONG time ago. However, very early on in our marriage, D and I decided to put Christ in the center of our relationship. We made a conscious decision to allow the Lord to be our Guide, our Compass. We had some bumps and even a few very steep mountains to overcome in the beginning but each new trial has only served to make us much stronger, as individuals and as a couple.

I admit, it is hard to say that I 'rejoice' in my suffering. I think that would be the case for any human in the flesh. However, I know that my current situation, all of the pain and suffering of this illness, is definitely teaching me to be more dependent on the Lord. I know that along the way, God is molding me into the woman He wants me to be.

Here's another verse I like and it helps me, too.

Thanks for letting me share. Thanks, too, for your continued show of support, even when I'm not up to blogging. I am very blessed to have so many people out there rooting me on. Please keep those prayers and wonderful words of encouragement coming. They are such a sweet blessing to my soul.

{{HUGS}}

Teresa

The purpose of Word-Filled Wednesday is to share God's word (no famous quotes or other literature, only the beautiful Word of our Heavenly Father) through scripture and pictures. If you would like to participate in Word-Filled Wednesday, please join Penny over at her blog and link up.