Touching The Hem Giveaway!

 Touching the Hem Giveaway by Elizabeth Johnson

In April 2007, my life completely changed. I was a recent college grad, engaged to a wonderful man, and involved in every activity possible.

And then I got sick.

When I say sick, what I really mean is the bottom fell out the sky.  I could barely drag myself to the sofa each day. I couldn't eat. I had no attention span, no ability to focus. I had a constant fever, a skin rash, unexplained bleeding, unexplained nausea, major sinus issues, horrible fatigue, and a whole host of other problems.

Doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong. They tested, and questioned, and prescribed all sorts of medications -- but nothing worked. And so I ended up in the hospital, practically comatose, around 2 AM on Easter Sunday.

The first big discovery was that half my blood had disintegrated. So they hooked me up with a transfusion (blood donors are wonderful!), and started doing biopsies and MRI's and I'm not sure what else... I was pretty out of it.

Within a few days, they knew I had a rare disease called Wegener's Granulomatosis. The short explanation of that is, my immune system went into overdrive and started attacking my body -- especially my entire respiratory system -- and the only way to fix it was by basically shutting everything down.  That meant immuno-suppressants and corticosteroids (ie, daily chemo pills and prednisone).

At first, I was just overjoyed to be alive. The medications were a little overwhelming, but I was thrilled that we finally knew what was wrong. Then I slowly began to understand that my life would never be the same again.

I was living with long-term chronic illness, trying to find a new normal. And I had no idea how to deal with that. 

I mean, what do you do about physical suffering? Pray about it? Claim healing in Jesus' name?

How do you respond to it?

Suddenly the issue of sickness and healing became very personal. I went straight to the library in search of resources about the purposes of physical suffering, and and biblical advice for seeking healing. I didn't find very much...

So I decided to study it out for myself.

Touching the Hem: a Biblical Response to Physical Suffering is the result of that study. 

It's for all of you who have asked the same questions I did. You who have suffered, and wondered how to glorify God in your suffering. You who have feared to ask if healing was possible. You who have been overwhelmed by physical grief.

Touching the Hem begins with an overview of who God is -- because we cannot accurately interpret our circumstances, or respond to them in a correct manner, until we know and believe that He is who He claims to be. It considers His character, the names given to Him throughout Scripture, His short ministry here on earth, and His eternal works of atonement and glorification.

It then transitions from looking upward at God, to looking outward at our circumstances: Why do we face physical suffering in this world? Where does it come from? What examples do we have of those who have suffered?

Finally, it considers our personal response, based on biblical instruction. God's Word contains specific commands to remain steadfast in prayer and faith. It includes principles to follow in any circumstances, but especially in physical affliction. It even offers guidance about seeking faith healers, or attending healing services.

Touching the Hem brings all of that together in about 160 pages. It also includes practical suggestions for dealing with illness, and suggestions for further reading.

My prayer is that God will speak through Touching the Hem to those in need, providing sweet answers and peace to those who are searching. He has brought it together, and I pray He will use in His perfect way.

Touching the Hem is available in both digital and traditional formats on Amazon. And I would love to give away one autographed copy!

To enter, leave a comment with something you've learned from physical suffering (your own or someone else's). For a second entry, share a specific Bible verse that's helped you through times of prolonged suffering. The giveaway will end at midnight on Sunday June 23rd & the winner announced on Monday morning.

Visit here to learn more about the book. 

Thank you Elizabeth for sharing your book with us! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!  

 Don't miss any of the new posts at Finding Purpose in the Pain- subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss any important information or announcements, like us on facebook or follow on twitter! Also check out the ebook devotional, 21 Days to Finding Purpose in Pain! And join our private online support group!

The Top 10 Must Have Essential Oils for Familes!

Wonder what is all this talk about essential oils? Check out my guest post on my friend Melanie's site, Only a Breath. I sharing the top 10 must have essential oils for families!

Weekly Lesson: Priortize Your Health

Weekly topic: Prioritize Your Health

  Hi Friends!
At the request of group members, I am leaving open the private facebok group that just recently went through my ebook devotional and using it as support group. Once a week I will post a mini lesson, devotional, scripture, answer a reader question etc and then we will have discussion questions in our group. So if you are need of a supportive group of women to encourage you through the ups and downs in life please join us. Just click on this link & request to join!

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

If you have followed my blog over the last year or have read my ebook devotional, you know I have been on quite a journey over the last 14 months praying for total physical healing and I have been blessed to see amazing answers to prayer. I have learned a lot over these last 14 months as well.

When I asked God to heal me totally, I thought He would flip a switch and take away my pain away suddenly. While He could have certainly done that and in many ways has, I realized how much of my healing had to take place in more than just a physical sense. We are interconnected- our bodies, health, emotions and spiritual life. For my physical healing to take place it required some emotional healing too. I now realize how critical it is to prioritize all of my health & be a good steward of the body and mind the Lord has given me because He can use me more when I yield all of myself to Him.

Some steps I have taken to prioritize my health and well-being:

1. Take care of my emotional health-this means practically staying in the Word and prayer, reading books & educating myself (see recommend reading below), setting healthy boundaries for myself and my relationships and at times and different seasons of my life meeting with a Christian counselor.
2. Take care of physical health-for me this means using the natural medicine God has given us in essential oils & all natural supplements (this has been huge for my physical healing), eating well & staying active, educating myself on my health conditions and researching new treatments
3. Seeking God for my health realizing that in the same way I seek God for other areas of my life-I need to seek Him for my health too.

Recommended health resources:

Discussion questions:

1.Whether you have chronic health condition or not, how do you prioritize your health?

2.What is working for your health? What changes do you need to make?

 Head over to our private facebook support group for discussion!

 

About the Author: Stacy Williams

Stacy lives in Central Ohio. She loves Jesus, traveling, the ocean, ice cream, seeing God answer prayer and encouraging others! She has a Bachelor’s degree is sociology and a Master’s degree in journalism and communications. She briefly worked in public relations before a chronic health condition since childhood forced her to change her plans and yield to God’s plan. She is the Creator of Finding Purpose in the Pain. Check her out on Twitter and Facebook!  Check out her ebook devotional 21 Days to Finding Purpose in Pain!  

 

 

 

 Don't miss any of the new posts at Finding Purpose in the Pain- subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss any important information or announcements, like us on facebook or follow on twitter! Also check out the ebook devotional, 21 Days to Finding Purpose in Pain! And join our private online support group!

Reflections

Reflections by Corrine Hannon

I think it’s pretty common that when someone you love passes away you’re left evaluating your own life. When there’s death around it’s only natural to think about your own life, and if you were living it the way you would be proud to leave it if your time is up.

My husband’s grandma very recently passed away, and last week we went to her funeral to celebrate the life of an amazing woman. As we sat in the pews of the church listening to the service I couldn’t help but think of my own life, and the way we choose to live.

We knew that grandma was nearing the end of her life, but she was doing well, in fact she had already surpassed what the doctors thought she had left for life. So when we received the phone call letting us know her time here on Earth was now over we were still shocked despite knowing that it could happen any time.

I started thinking about how much time we had spent with grandma in the last year or so, and the realization that we didn’t spend as much time with her as we could have didn’t feel good. There always seemed to be a good enough excuse as to why we couldn’t make the 3-hour trip to visit, always saying that as soon as the roads were better after the winter, or after the boys hockey season was finished, gas prices, or, or, or…

But as I sit back and reflect about life, and about what we’re trying to teach our kids I feel disappointed with the direction I was headed.

When did our kids sporting events become more important than spending time with family? How many times did we drive the highways in icy conditions for hockey games, but not to go see a loved one? Obviously our children learning that being a team player and not letting your team down is important, but at the expense of family? I feel like I’m teaching my children that their own interests come before the loved members in our family or community that may need us.

I want our priorities to be focused on what really is important. How do you show the people around you that you care for them if you don’t go out of your way every now and again? We’re never going to regret missing a sporting event for the kids if it means we are gaining quality time with loved ones, and it teaches our children how important family is. I fear for this young generation that is already so busy in life, by the time they become adults they are going to have such difficult time knowing what it means to put anyone or anything before themselves because we’ve taught them that it’s much more important to be focused on their own interests, busy and on the move than it is to slow down and take stock of what really is important.

When I focus my sights on eternity I know that it means so much to me that I put others before myself, and I have done this with my husband and children but I realize now that putting others above myself isn’t just about making every sporting practice and game for my child, it’s about putting the busyness of life aside while you do things that truly matter. Think of how many less regrets we would carry when a loved one passes away or falls ill when you know that you went out of your way to have a relationship with them.

So now, I look to the future and know that there are many changes for this sweet family of mine. It’s about more then just the balance of life; it’s about following through with what is truly important when you look at life through the scope of eternity.

Do you struggle with being too busy in life that you’ve lost your focus on what’s important? Lets encourage each other to step away from ourselves and really focus on the important things in life. I don’t think any of us would regret it!

 About the Author: Corrine Hannon

Corrine lives in Alberta, Canada where she is busy being a wife to the man of her dreams, and raising/home schooling her wonderful 3 boys. Having children with severe chronic medical conditions, and recently diagnosed with a neurological medical condition herself she is learning more then ever what it means to trust God. Corrine is passionate about marriage, parenting, and being an advocate for you child’s health and education. You can find Corrine blogging at Corrine’s Meadow and on twitter @corrinehannon

 Don't miss any of the new posts at Finding Purpose in the Pain- subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss any important information or announcements, like us on facebook or follow on twitter! Also check out the ebook devotional, 21 Days to Finding Purpose in Pain! And join our private online support group!

Weekly topic: Fix Your Eyes on the Unseen

Weekly topic: Fix Your Eyes on the Unseen

 Hi Friends!
As I shared last week, at the request of group members, I am leaving open the private facebok group that just recently went through my ebook devotional and using it as support group. Once a week I will post a mini lesson, devotional, scripture, answer a reader question etc and then will have discussion questions in our group. So if you are need of a supportive group of women to encourage you through the ups and downs in life please join us. Just click on this link & request to join!

"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars" -Oscar Wilde

I saw this quote floating around social media the last few weeks and I love it. What a true statement and reminder on the importance of perspective in challenging times. If you are visiting this site, it’s likely you are no stranger to hard times. The fact is I don’t know anyone who hasn’t walked through at least one tough season in life. In many ways the human condition is one of standing in the gutter. A world and people tainted by sin is life in the gutter. And we can choose to look around the gutter and be depressed or cast our gaze up at the stars and smile. Isn’t that just like life? We can choose to focus on our less than ideal circumstances or situations or we can cast our gaze up at God and the things of His kingdom.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Our time on Earth is truly the blink of an eye compared to eternity and it can be so easy to get bogged down and consumed with day to day life that we forget the bigger picture of why we are here as Christians. God has given us a mission to bring others to Him and focus on things of an eternal nature. Our perspective can be on the gutter or the great commission-the choice is ours. What will you choose today?

Discussion questions:

1. Evaluate your life today-are you too focused on the things of this world?

2. What are some practical steps you can take to have a life more focused on eternity?

 Head over to our private facebook support group for discussion!

About the Author: Stacy Williams

 
Stacy lives in Central Ohio. She loves Jesus, traveling, the ocean, ice cream, seeing God answer prayer and encouraging others! She has a Bachelor’s degree is sociology and a Master’s degree in journalism and communications. She briefly worked in public relations before a chronic health condition since childhood forced her to change her plans and yield to God’s plan. She is the Creator of Finding Purpose in the Pain. Check her out on Twitter and Facebook!  Check out my ebook devotional 21 Days to Finding Purpose in Pain!
  

Don't miss any of the new posts at Finding Purpose in the Pain- subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss any important information or announcements, like us on facebook or follow on twitter! Also check out the ebook devotional, 21 Days to Finding Purpose in Pain! And join our private online support group!

 

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

What a Friend We Have in Jesus by Ingrid

The word "wreck" has many definitions.  "A person...of broken constitution, health, or spirits" best describes me when I say, "I have been wrecked."

In March, I took my second trip to Ethiopia.  I naively thought that since I had been there, seen extreme poverty, was working hard at making a difference, I wouldn't be wrecked again.  I was wrong.

I recently heard the story of Joseph M. Scriven.  I am sure you are asking yourself, "Who?"  After all, I did!  He was a man from Ireland, born in 1819.  In 1855, after extreme loss and pain, he penned the beautiful works,

What a Friend we have in Jesus,

all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

everything to God in prayer.

Sound familiar?  In 1868, Joseph's beautiful poem, originally written to his mother, was put to music and titled What a Friend we have in Jesus.  His story and the truth in his words have brought me comfort as I have been processing poverty, pain, the realities of this world.  

The bottom line, HE understands pain and O what peace I often forfeit by not taking time to pray.  I have had times in my life where I have experienced peace in the midst of emotional pain.  I am clinging to Joseph's words and striving to pray more about the things I saw in Ethiopia, things weighing on my spirit.  Are you?

To hear the full story of Joseph M. Scriven's life I highly recommend watching THIS VIDEO on YouTube



About the Author: Ingrid

Ingrid lives in Minneapolis with her husband, Dan, and their three silly boys. She blogs at reachingHISkids and has a passion for sharing Jesus and fighting poverty.  After earning a degree in cross cultural and urban ministry from Moody Bible Institute, God led Ingrid to the inner-city.  For 15 years, she has been intentionally reaching her neighbors for Jesus.  In 2010, the story of an Ethiopian widow, inspired her to travel to Ethiopia.  She is working with Children’s Hope Chest as a sponsorship coordinator and has the privilege of serving and helping 200 orphaned and vulnerable children.  However, she believes the bottom line of fighting poverty is about changing her own heart.  James 1:27, “…keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”  You can follow Ingrid on Facebook and Twitter.

 Don't miss any of the new posts at Finding Purpose in the Pain- subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss any important information or announcements, like us on facebook or follow on twitter! Also check out the ebook devotional, 21 Days to Finding Purpose in Pain! And join our private online support group!

New Weekly Lesson: When You're Under Attack

Hi Friends!
As I shared last week, at the request of group members, I am leaving open the private facebok group that just recently went through my ebook devotional and using it as support group. Once a week I will post a mini lesson, devotional, scripture, answer a reader question etc and then will have discussion questions in our group. So if you are need of a supportive group of women to encourage you through the ups and downs in life please join us. Just click on this link & request to join!

Let's get started with our first mini lesson: When You're Under Attack

Last week was a challenging week for me. There was nothing that happened or anything different about my circumstances. I just found my ability to handle life just wasn’t as great. Does that ever happen to you? While I could point to a few physical reasons why I felt off (recent travel, seasonal allergies, and just general fatigue), it didn’t take me that long to realize something else could be at play-spiritual attack.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

As I shared in last week’s post on forced dependence, I’m in a time of job transition yet again and while I’m not overly worried about it I have been struggling with some anger over the fact that yet again I’m in this position. Can I just say how hard that is for me to admit? God has brought me so far in finding purpose in pain & hard times (as my ebook can attest to) but some days I’m still just mad or sad that I have to deal with the challenging times in the first place! And last week was one of those times. While I knew I needed to acknowledge & repent over my anger and did, I realized how the enemy was using this struggle with anger to attack me. Nothing will make you feel like a hypocrite faster than writing a book about finding purpose in pain…and then having a day…or week…where you don’t feel like finding purpose in your pain. And like I shared in day 21 of my ebook, that is exactly what the enemy wants. He wants our pain to destroy us and defeat us to the point where we stay silent about God. He wants us to feel like such a failure that we no longer share our stories and the testimony of what God is doing in our life. He wants to take a bad day or week or month or even year and turn it into a reason why we should stay silent forever. I knew that was what was at play in my life last week.

So what can you do when you find yourself under attack?

1. Acknowledge it-this is actually huge for me. Just simply realizing and acknowledging that there is a war going on around me often takes away some of the sting and power behind the attack
2. Confess any sin in the circumstance-As I had to do with my anger this last week make sure you are confessing any known sin in the situation you are facing. When you are under attack you are often vulnerable and the temptation to sin can be great. Be mindful of confessing sin to God immediately and turning away from it (what the word repent literally means)
3. Pray against it out loud & with scripture-Use the model of Jesus’ temptation in Matthew 4:1-11 as a model for how to pray using scripture against attack and temptation.
4. Tell others to pray for you-this is the time to call on your brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for you!
5. Remind yourself that God is bigger than any attack you face & ask Him to fight this battle for you, strengthen you to persevere and sustain you during this time.

This week’s discussion questions:

1. Have you ever been in situation where you were under spiritual attack?

     2. How can following the steps above help you the next time you find yourself in that situation? What steps would you add to the list?

Head over to our private facebook support group for discussion!

About the Author: Stacy Williams

 Stacy lives in Central Ohio. She loves Jesus, traveling, the ocean, ice cream, seeing God answer prayer and encouraging others! She has a Bachelor’s degree is sociology and a Master’s degree in journalism and communications. She briefly worked in public relations before a chronic health condition since childhood forced her to change her plans and yield to God’s plan. She is the Creator of Finding Purpose in the Pain. Check her out on Twitter and Facebook!  Check out my ebook devotional 21 Days to Finding Purpose in Pain!
  




Don't miss any of the new posts at Finding Purpose in the Pain- subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss any important information or announcements, like us on facebook or follow on twitter! Also check out the ebook devotional, 21 Days to Finding Purpose in Pain! And join our private online support group!