Thought for Today: Be Ready

Thought for Today:

Be Ready

As Christians we may feel hedged in by some situations, and fiery darts may attempt to hit us from every direction, but we know that God always provides a way out. We may not know from which direction the door will open, but be confident that there is a pathway out, and be watchful and ready to move when it appears.

Ephesians 6:16 (NKJV)

Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Job: The Hedged in Affect

The Hedged in Affect

Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, and whom God has hedged in (Job 3:23)

I have been meditating and praying to God for revelation and true to his nature, when you seek him, you find him.  I am beginning to realize why he led me here.  When the storm goes on for long periods or when they appear to continuously hit us, we sometimes feel like Job, hedged in.  There is no hiding place although there is light we cannot find a way out.  We feel cornered in and it appears that everyone else is moving on, yet, we are stuck. 

Unfortunately, some of our lives are filled with trouble.  Sorry, I don’t’ have the answer for why? As I mentioned earlier, I did ask God about Job? It was heavy on my heart, and the reason I couldn’t get past the first chapter.  Again, it has a lot to do with where I am in this present battle with medical negligence.  So as I meditated and asked God, why?  His reply was to trust what I know about him and what he has shared with me.

What I know about God is that whenever he places me in a position, like the one I am in, he brings me out.  Because he knows me as well as he does, he leaves me markers.  So when he replied rely on what I know about him, I remembered the markers in my life.  He does that for us.  He leaves markers so when we are discouraged we know that he is with us, even when he is quiet.  Sometimes the most difficult part of the struggle is when we do not hear from him for long periods. 

When Robyn was declared brain-dead, God placed markers for me to reflect on because he knew I would question myself and him.  So when I questioned whether or not I was just crazy, or if he had really spoken to me, he reminded me of the specific things he led me to do.  Things that were simple, but I would not have done without his direction.  For this reason, as foolish as I know I may have sound, when I was told that Robyn was brain-dead, my reply was God gave me life for Robyn, and that I expected him to show up on her behalf. Well, I also expect him to move in this medical negligence battle.

While we may sometimes feel hedged in, as we know in Jobs case, God had already worked it out.  We have to trust and believe that as children of God, as we suffer with him, we win with him.  When the enemy is a billion dollar industry, filled with corrupt politics, deceptive medical practices and an unjust justice department, it appears that we are surrounded by evil and that there is no way out, but remember God always provides a way out. 

In spiritual battles, the goal is to destroy.  For the believer, Satan’s objective is to torment us to the point that we turn away from God.  God is our hope.  Take away our hope and we are lost.  In chapter two, we see that Satan is not satisfied, so he asks God for permission to strike Job again.  This time, not only does he attack Job’s flesh, but his wife too.  While Job is suffering from the soars to his body, his wife encourages him to curse God and die.  Certainly, Satan had moved in on her lack of faith and used it in an attempt to undermine Job’s faith. 

At this point, Job asks, shall we accept good from God and not trouble?  We are then told that in all this, Job did not sin in what he said (2:10).  My belief because of my own situation, is Job was starting to ask questions within.  Why me? Why my children? Yet, he refuses to speak it.  The heaviness of the devastation is working on his spirit and he is in a fierce battle to hold his ground. During battle, Satan often uses those closest to us to strengthen his position.  He comes from every direction, hence the hedged in feeling. 

The more I consider Job’s situation and what I know about the Lord, I know that Job had been prepared for battle long before Satan approached.  God does not send us into battle without proper preparation.  For him to place us into specific battles, he gives specific preparation.  So every day that we are in the trenches, and we watch while others walk away, yet, we rise to the challenge even when we would rather retreat, it is because God has placed something within us that cause us to stand. 

While I do not know how God is going to respond to medical negligence, I am trusting that God has already worked it out.  The fact that Robyn is alive after all that transpired is a testament to his awesomeness and his ability to turn things around when we least expect him to. 

My battle is medical negligence.  Someone else maybe battling another issue, but whatever it is trust that God has already worked it out.  You may feel hedged in by the enemy, but know that the blood of Jesus covers you and because of this victory is inevitable.

Thought for Today

Thought for the day,

As a Christian, I have found that there is sometimes a bit of ambivalence when it is time to get up off our knees and take action. As a matter of fact, I find that fear often cause us to rebuke that which we should be addressing, complacency cause us to sit when we should be standing, and pure ignorance and the refusal to get an understanding cause us to attempt to hinder the progress of those who are fighting for us all. Therefore, we should all be mindful of how these things can disguise themselves and become strongholds in our lives.

Have a wonderful day in the Lord.

Letting Go

Thought for today,

Sometimes even the smallest shift in our lives causes alarm, I had one recently and it first unnerved me, but then the Lord showed me that there are some things that are temporary and are only meant to assist me at a specific point and time on the journey.  I share this to say that sometimes God allows situations and people in our lives for a specific purpose and brief moment.  Don't be alarmed when it's time for you and them to separate.  We sometimes attempt to hold on to things that are meant for temporary purposes. Be grateful for them.  Give thanks to God for their assistance, and move on.

Be Blessed

Thought for Today: Weariness

Thought for today,

It is when we are closest to the break through, that we sometimes become wearier than we've ever been on the journey, but keep pushing because I am.  I refuse to get this close and give in to the tactics of evil spiritual forces.  I am still moving through the book of Job.  Meditating on the word and will do a post on it soon.

Thought for Today

Thought for today (not a study post):

So as I read through Job ( and this is not a study post) what I realize is that how we interpret and experience God's word has a lot to do with how we know (relationship) him.  The things that have bothered me most, is others interpretation of this particular book, and my refusal to go back and read and allow God to reveal to me what he wants me to take away from it.  I think I read through this entire book many years ago, but since Robyn's stroke, because of my issues with the first chapter, I refrained from reading it.  Where as some may not understand that, Job did, and I am sure those who have had questions about where they are in their walk after life situations happen may understand that too. And of course God knew what was in my heart and I am sure it is why he led me here.

A Mother’s Perspective on Medical Negligence and Parallel Study of Job’s Struggle

As I go further into Job, still somewhat ambivalent to why God has me here and sharing my thoughts openly, because my thoughts can get really wild sometimes, but I am staying really close to the Lord on this because I know me.  So as I write I am asking God, are you sure you want me to share this? 

In my first post regarding my study of Job, I shared how he was not the first that God and Satan discussed.  Yet, Job, as God stated was one of a kind.  A blameless, upright man.  I also think I drew the parallel between us and Job.  Our belief in Jesus has cleaned us up.  Jesus presents us as blameless and faultless before God.  Hence, the battle has begun.  So we have essentially been placed right where Job was. We are also forewarned of this in 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV).

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because[a] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

So I imagine that many like me, if we had the opportunity to speak with God about this medical negligence stuff, would have asked him to table it.  I would have begged, not me, and please no one else.  If he had said, Veverly, you will birth a daughter. A very bright academically-multitalented young girl, and at 13-years-old she will be struck down by medical negligence.  Her life will be changed forever, but I will be with you through all of it, I would have kicked and screamed, “Jesus, please, not me.” 

But, since man has free will and many are led by their greed and have little regard for human life, families like mine, find themselves at this crossroad due to preventable medical errors.  The spirits within those opposing us are sick.  The reason the battle appears impossible is because many politicians are protecting those who are killing our loved ones.  While politicians should be protecting the public, many are not because they are benefiting from the evil.  We are warned in God’s word about these powers and spirits.  We are also instructed to arm ourselves with the armor of God.  So that we can withstand (Ephesians 6: 11:13).

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Honestly, if I did not trust whole heartedly in the Lord, I would have given in years ago.  This battle can be overwhelming to the spirit, but the Lord continues to renew my spirit daily.  It is impossible to imagine how patients and families feel when they find themselves at this crossroad.  There is a feeling of discouragement and hopelessness in realizing there are no built in protections from the dishonest practices in the medical field, and that those in the law profession are sometimes paid off to undermine the patient’s case.  At that point, the brick wall appears, because those that could help, are afraid to take a stand.  Although many see and know the harm done, self-preservation cause them to stand by and watch the struggle instead of getting involved and stopping the killing and disabling of patients.

So as we know, Satan first destroyed Jobs possessions.  This news, he actually took well.  But, when he was told about the destruction of his children, like many of us, he was devastated.  As a matter of fact, this was the one thing Job feared the most. His wife told him to curse God and die and Job rebuked her. What I found interesting at the end of this passage is that it says “In all this Job did not sin with his lips (Job 2:10)” I thought it was interesting that it specified with his lips.  For me, someone who has been through a situation in which, initially, I did not openly say what my heart was thinking (Why God? Why?)) , I think is a first indication of Jobs inward struggle with what God was allowing in his life.  He was over wrought with grief.  He wished for his own death.  He felt alone.  I stop here because many times, we, as Christians, know the correct responses, but God knows the inner struggle that others are not privy to.  What I see in this passage is that Job refused to speak what was in his heart.  There was a struggle going on between the spirit and flesh.

I remember my own struggle after being told that Robyn was brain-dead.  My first question to God, why Robyn?  If tragedy was going to strike, why not me?  My biggest struggle was when God had me to actually speak and tell the medical team and the doctors, “God gave me life for Robyn.”  I struggled with that and wondered about my own sanity for a moment. 

For most parents, I think if we were given the option when tragedy strikes, we would take the place of our children.  While Robyn, did not die.  She lost parts of herself.  I know we are blessed.  So do not take my honesty as being ungrateful, but the reality is we lost part of her to medical negligence. 

While I was writing the first part of this post, Robyn came into my room.  I could tell she had something on her mind the way she burst through the door.  She said, “Mom, I need to talk to you.”  I said “OK.”  She started,

                “You know the school he is applying to was the school I wanted to attend.”  The “he” she is referring to is her younger brother.  The school, while I will not give the name is one of the highest ranking in the U.S.

                I said, “I know.” She just stood and looked at me for a moment.  I continued. “I have cried for you and prayed for you, because I knew this had to bring back memories.”

                “You have.”

                “Yes, I have.”

                “I didn’t think you understood.”

                “I understand and it pains me.  I am your mother.  I knew it was coming.”

                “I was all prepared to tell you, you don’t understand.”

                “Oh, but I do.”  We laughed because she was amazed at how quickly my response disarmed her.  She told me she was prepared with one of her, you don’t understand speeches.  She was utterly amazed that I was right there with her.  But I knew when we started visiting college information sessions for her brother, that they were causing triggers with her.  I cannot even imagine her pain, but as a mother I know my own, and some days it is a major struggle not to become consumed by the anguish.  This is what medical negligence has caused in our lives, but God has been gracious and we have overcome many obstacles getting to this point, and I told her she would get past this.  She just needs to focus on how far she has come.

Well, I will stop here.  Didn’t get very far.  I am in the very first verses of Job chapter 3.  I think I am getting off topic a bit.  I will do better next time.  Not sure were God is going with this...

Waiting for God’s Response to Medical Negligence

I know there is purpose for everything that God allows in the lives of believers.  We all know that in his word we are told that it rains on the just and the unjust.  We, as believers are not immune to pain and suffering.  Actually, because of what we believe we face more.  But, his word does tell us that even the pain and suffering works together for good in the life of the believer.  So as I struggle to put this medical negligence battle into perspective, and continue to move forward, I am waiting and watching for God’s response because I know he has one, too many of his children are being affected.

Last week, I read and meditated on the faithful lives of Ruth and Esther.  How they stayed focused and on course.  When I was about to close the book, the Holy Spirit compelled me to move right into Job.  Now, the beginning of Job has always been one that I have struggled with, and just now God has given me a better understanding.  It was the conversation between God and Satan that I had a big issue with.  I imagine I am not the only who have asked, “Why would God do this to his faithful servant, Job?”

I have been in church since I can remember.  It is very possible that I missed the sermon on this part or I just never really got an understanding from the Lord, and today because this has always bothered me and I asked, he broke it down for me.  It is better sometimes to seek the source.  So here is what I received this morning.  The very moment we accept salvation, we are placed in the same position as Job.  The trials come when we act on our faith and according to our faith.  The enemy attacks because of our faith.  So the conversation with him and Satan, about Job, was not the first time nor the last.  It is one that he allowed us to see and hear, but yes, Job was a good example for us all and this is why he has given us a close up of what transpired. 

As simple as that was, I never got that out of what I read in the conversation between God and Satan.  I always felt like, “God, why did you do that?" Or, should I say, “God why did you throw Job under the bus?”  I believe this is how we sometimes feel, but as believers we must understand that the attacks do not come from him, but because of our belief in him.  So for me, this morning, this has helped me to stand even firmer against medical negligence.  I am even more certain that God will move.