Migraine

I am not sure where I heard this in my past, but I took notes, and just ran across them again. I thought it was so appropriate here since what we do is mostly listen and watch.

As Christians, we usually talk about being given “grace for the moment” “grace to endure” “grace for the situation” etc. Grace that is focused on the problem we are facing. Paul is one of the most quoted in this when he wrote that "God's Grace is sufficient for me."

Then someone pointed out that God’s grace is sufficient whether I am asked to carry the burden, or I am asked to watch someone else carry a burden. God gives us participant grace and spectator grace, and we need to be careful not to cross the line into something God has not called us to. Yes, He asks us to "Bear one another’s burdens," but it doesn’t mean to fix it for them. It doesn’t say to carry it instead of them. We are to be there for them, supporting them, encouraging them.

No matter which side we are on, suffering is never easy. Watching someone carry a burden is a suffering all it’s own, feeling helpless as someone we love and care about carries so much pain. Oftentimes I would rather take the suffering upon myself, than to watch someone else struggle under it’s weight. But that is not my job and by doing so would cause us both to miss our lesson.

And let me just note: You all do a fantastic job with the supporting and engouraging, the directing and the guiding, parts!!

But also be encouraged when you get frustrated with your limits online, there is grace for that too.

Thanks for this, Hope2B - It reminds me also of what my Mom once said - it's easy to see the difference we wish we could make, and are not making (like fixing things for people) but we aren't always given the ability to see the difference we are making.

And then there's my old stand-by, the Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

it's all about that wisdom...

- Megs

My favorite is Footprints. It always reminds me that I'm not alone even when I think I am. My DH is traveling and I gave him my Footprints keychain for comfort....

Hi hope,

I'm with you--I'd much rather be the one with the burden! There's nothing worse than seeing Dh or my kids suffering in physical or emotional pain! I'd MUCH rather switch places with them! But I'm sure they feel the same as they watch me...

I think I often forget that there is meaning behind the pain--and that I have lessons to learn through it. Often, it all just seems so random and harmful. Sometimes it's hard for me to have faith. But no one promised it would be easy, now did they??

jenny

No Jenny, I don't remember reading that promise anywhere. QUite the opposite actually. The Bible is full of verses that promise we will have trouble in this world, that we will suffer, share in the sufferings, etc. Those aren't the pretty ones though, so they aren't talked about much, unfortunately, because then everyone thinks it is strange when they experience problems. Which reminds me of another verse:

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12

Wow. It's no coincidence that I checked this topic and found this discussion today. I was having a really bad time yesterday morning. On my fibromyalgia scale, I was just barely above "Kill me now!" (The top of the scale is "As good as it gets!")

I was praying and asked God to help me align my will with his. I asked that if there was a reason for my suffering, to help me understand it, or if I'm not meant to understand it, to give me the grace to NOT know. And to help me have the faith that he was carrying me when I couldn't walk, just like in the Footprints poem.

Although my migraine came back later in the day, I was emotionally calm and centered in my faith. Today I'm staying in bed so I don't get a recurrence and keep this migraine attack to two days, God willing.

Thank you, Hope, for starting this thread, and all of you for your replies. This board is a miraculous place.

(One month and 3 days on the Menopause ticker!)

I am touched that this thread spoke to you and encouraged you, as it was meant to. It has been a couple of days now, I hope you are feeling MUCH better! And know, that no suffering is without purpose.

Even if you don't get your reason now, as the days pass you will be given glimpses, I am confident in that. Being able to comfort others here because you have lived it, is huge, and not to be taken lightly. Who would we turn to for encouragement and knowledge if none had walked before us, how lonely that would feel.