10-2 update: Thanks to everyone who is praying and to those who will pray after they read this post. My wife has stabilized somewhat and has a bit of physical therapy ahead of her. I am mostly doing pretty well except when I occasionally stress over something not too important. I am finding my weird sense of humor (wife says 'as usual') to help me through this period. One of my church coworkers called the hospital today and I told her that I had already renounced the bible and was getting ready to renounce the church staff - I told you that I have a weird sense of humor. Guess you deal with trials by either laughing or crying - sometimes both.
My wife is having a Multiple Sclerosis relapse and was hospitalized Saturday night. After spending seven or eight hours in the Emergency Room on Saturday I was fried Sunday morning. I wondered if I should just focus on praying for my wife that morning and skip church. I didn't and was glad that I didn't. Several people greeted me with concern and prayed for me and my wife even before the service started. Then worship started and this is what we sang:
Blessed Be Your NameAffirming the blessedness of God in the midst of trial is a somewhat surreal experience. It is like being lifted out of reality for a brief moment ... being encouraged on a very deep level ... overcoming the dark thoughts of dispair. When we finished worship yesterday morning I had a different perspective on the my recent trial. Maybe that is what Paul means when he speaks of exulting in tribulation. Are you in a season of trial? Please sing this chorus with me:
by Matt Redman
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your nameBlessed be the name of the Lord, Blessed be Your glorious name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
I have a cousin with MS, the kind that remits and relapses and comes and goes, so I've seen the good times and the bad times in my own family.
ReplyDeleteI will pray for your family's peace and strength.
This is the song that helped me get through the hardest thing I've ever dealt with in my life. In fact, I've posted these lyrics on my blog myself. I literally would listen to this song over and over and over until I felt I could choose to say "thank you God. Even though it hurts, thank you." We have to choose it! It was a big thing for me. It was hard to be depressed about my circumstances when I was choosing to thank God.
ReplyDeleteAffirming the blessedness of God in the midst of trial is a somewhat surreal experience.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Bob. Exchanging reality for Reality is one of the strangest experiences our life offers. Praise the Lord that He gives grace to make us able to see, in some small way, into the Truth.
May the Lord touch your friend and helper.
Prayers Bob. Thanks for posting this, FTM
ReplyDeleteYou have my prayers.
ReplyDeleteWe're praying for you and your wife, Bob.
ReplyDeleteI love that song. I will pray for you both as well.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful song, I love it. Bob, it's one thing to renounce your church staff...but you better not recounce blogging!!!
ReplyDeletePraying for your wife and for you.
I sing this song when i reflect on that He is blessed at ALL times!!! So glad i saw you on barbaras site thank you for so richly sharing from your heart how God is at work constantly and renewing us all even in ways we would rather avoid. He is with us especially in the WORST of the pain and hurt bringing us through to joy!!!
ReplyDeleteI am still keeping you and your wife in my prayers, even if I am a few days late.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you and your wife are going through this season Bob. My wife has been struggling with some health issues also.
ReplyDeleteIn the world we frequently face troubles and it is good to know He has overcome in it all for us so that no matter what comes we may not fear.
May your wifes stability continue to increase and may you continue to renouncing. ;-)
I am assuming you know the story behind the lyrics of the Redman song?
ReplyDeleteIt always puts things in perspective for me ... God is good, but life isn't always ..
be blessed, praying for healing and love to touch you and your wife
So sorry to hear of your wife's struggle. Praying that God will draw you both deeper into His heart, and for that full and complete healing.
ReplyDeleteWow, KB. Know that I will be praying as well. I am sure your wife is comfoted by God and by knowing that you are being spiritual throughout this struggle.
ReplyDeleteHow are her spirits?
Praise the Lord for the good news, and we will keep praying, KB.
ReplyDelete(And I for one don't know the story behind the song.)
KB:
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your wife has improved and I will be praying for you both.
Thank you for putting Matt Redman's song up for all to read. It is a perfectly marvelous song--one of my favorites.
God bless you.
le