I'm Not a Wuss, But...

I'm not a wuss, but in the past few days I was put to the test when I got struck with strep throat.  I've had it before but I never remember it being this bad.

Being sick really tests your personality and your strength, not to mention your faith. Last night, I prayed and asked God to please take the pain away. I cried on my husband's shoulder and just felt like such a baby.

I told my daughter that I had a new empathy for them when they were babies and had ear infections. As babies, all they could do was cry. They couldn't tell me with their words how much pain they were in but, as a parent, I could see it in their faces.

I think God is sort of the same when it comes to seeing His children in pain. I imagine when we don't have the right words to express our pain that God looks in our faces, and our hearts, and sees our pain. And, just as it hurts me when my children are in pain, I imagine it hurts God to see His children in pain.

I'm not a wuss but sometimes, when I'm at my weakest, I feel most vulnerable and able to accept help from others...and God. I'm not always the first person to ask for help but yesterday, when my ear felt like it was going to explode because of the pain, I was willing to accept help from anyone who offered (thanks, Steve).

When do you reach out for help from others...or from God?

What would our lives be like if we sought help in all moments of our lives and not just when we "need" the help? What if we started seeking God's help in all areas of our lives —relationships, jobs, money, etc.?

I don't like being sick.  It makes me feel weak ... and I HATE feeling weak. But, I'm reminded of the apostle Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 12, when he talks about the "thorn in his side;"  "Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

I'm going to try to remember this next time I feel weak. God's grace is all I need and His power works best in my weakness.

I'm not a wuss, but I know now that if I was it wouldn't be so bad ... at least in God's eyes :-).