Adversity

Just what is adversity?
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines adversity as hardship, challenge, misfortune; a state, condition, or instance of continual difficulty or adverse fortune.
I am sure that as you read this you can think of many examples of adversity - probably some that have been very personal to you. Here are a few: losing all your possessions in a fire; going thru a divorce; death of a loved one; being stricken with a serious illness.

Over the past 2 years I have been diagnosed with 3 serious illnesses!
             Go Figure!    THREE!
And - most of the time no one would know that unless you were in my circle of closeness!

These are called Invisible Illnesses - no one can see them; or the effects they have on the person's daily life. As a nurse I always tried very hard to accept whatever a patient might say to me about their pain and/or ability to "do" something. I certainly hope I treated them with respect and empathy - something that I find lacking in today's health care system.

A few weeks ago I spent some awesome time at the Atlantic Wesleyan Church Camp - Beulah Camp .... Visiting with a dear friend, and spending some needed time in God's Presence - being ministered to thru Music and the Word - and friends!!!!

This is the WORD HE gave to me during those days .....

Psalm 27:5   For He will conceal me in His shelter in the day of adversity. He will hide me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high on a rock.

I have claimed these words as MINE since then ... Memorizing them; carrying a copy in my wallet; Knowing that He spoke them for me and to me that night - for such a time as this!
I have lived the past 3 days in constant pain  - fibromyalgia pain has hit me again! I just returned from town - had to have some groceries - it was all I could do to drive home! I've never had that happen to me before. So - me being me - I cried out to God all the way home!
I refuse to let this take my JOY!
Conceal me, Lord!
"Satan you get out of here - you're not havin' me!"

I will put my HOPE in God - who is my rock and my strength, my portion and my protector, the lover of my soul!  He will store up my tears; He will KEEP me!
Thank you , Lord!

For those of you reading this who know someone with an Invisible Illness - please be compassionate with them; they don't need you to "fix" anything - they just need you to be present with them! If you don't know how to deal with all this entails visit the Invisible Illness website! You will learn so much. And keep them covered in prayer - God is ever with us - seem times we just need to surrender to HIM ...

Blessings dear ones!
This is the day - rejoice!
Ruthie