Hope When It Hurts

Seventy-eight months ago I received a diagnosis that would turn my world upside down. CRPS – Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Days of research and a flood of emotions hit: fear, confusion, sadness, anger, and hopelessness. That was, of course, on top of the physical issues I experienced. And no words could really describe the pain and other symptoms.

Many times I asked why? I thought it was unfair. It was a struggle minute by minute. After battling daily for 19 months... the Lord took it away. He taught me to rest in Him and to depend only on Him and then He removed it. I moved on with gratefulness. 

After 4+ years of no symptoms, 10 months ago, shockingly, they returned. And every emotion came storming back as well.

It started in my right arm where it began all those years ago.. but has moved now to all my limbs. Living with CRPS is HARD. I never know what to expect each day. I have good days and I thank God for those good days and things that before I took for granted. And then there are bad days when I'm reminded even more how much I need Him. 

Daily, God continues to remind me in the pain and fog to look to Him. Daily depending on Him for strength and endurance. HE IS my rest and comfort. I have hope because of this. WE have hope because of this. 

My prayer is:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, SO THAT we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.  Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-8

November is CRPS awareness month and our family asks you to pray for the many around the world diagnosed every year.

James M serves with GlobalGrace in Kenya