By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012
As pain, disability, and suffering increase, it is possible to grow disheartened, and even doubt whether God sill cares for us. If and when this happens, it is important to recognise some truths, besides seeking medical help for our conditions:
- We must remember how good God has been to us in the past, and that He will never leave nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5). Remember His promise that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).
- Remember
that for the Christian, though the going may get more painful by the
day, ultimately, there will be a quantum leap into a far better and more
glorious day. Paul expressed it in these words: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). Such a view of the distant end (no more tears, suffering, and pain; Revelation 21:4) help us bear with present suffering.
- We need community to help us. It has been said that a burden shared is a burden halved. Getting together with other ageing saints, who may all be hurting in some way, can be mutually encouraging. We spur one another to persevere and be resilient.
Think of how you and your church can help seniors in this situation.
Those in the larger community (as the one in the local church) can minister to seniors who may need help - praying with them, bringing them to clinics, running errands for them, and just talking to them.
Picture posted by paintedflowers on 03 March 2008
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https://www.deviantart.com/paintedflowers/art/Freyja-78960243
Picture posted by Juliyana Leslie on Monday, 07 February 2011 at 2:27 am
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http://heavenlyfragrance.blogspot.com/2011/02/victorious-in-christ.html
- We must remember how good God has been to us in the past, and that He will never leave nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5). Remember His promise that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).
https://www.guideposts.org/sites/default/files/styles/hero_box_left_lg/public/blog_post/field_of_flowers.jpg?timestamp=1528139105
https://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/inspiring-stories/3-bible-verses-about-gods-presence
- Remember that for the Christian, though the going may get more painful by the day, ultimately, there will be a quantum leap into a far better and more glorious day. Paul expressed it in these words: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). Such a view of the distant end (no more tears, suffering, and pain; Revelation 21:4) help us bear with present suffering.
Picture saved by Vance Maize to {Into the Mystic}
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/99/37/85/9937851038cf044e648e9a348a103620.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/225954106284719002/
- We need community to help us. It has been said that a burden shared is a burden halved. Getting together with other ageing saints, who may all be hurting in some way, can be mutually encouraging. We spur one another to persevere and be resilient.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kKAV7G8RaiFt92p_WmNtTSbCSnOI-O7JT-dc7iR_AK3XFAMwG8kdB9ixeFj2ytfD74fR6MHlBgnAAvGjZhxZ6m53pw1lYqmJv6c8EIzWh-rYkMuWTTNexW13wNUhmNaar4TrjP6PUjA/s1500/paperblue-net-forest-shack-bl.jpg
https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/012/205/314/large/paperblue-net-forest-shack-bl.jpg?1533602857
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/8AbaQ
Those in the larger community (as the one in the local church) can minister to seniors who may need help - praying with them, bringing them to clinics, running errands for them, and just talking to them.
Picture saved by Sarwarprinters to Download
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk91c0q8KeGRbHzAhB0FMjzjeuV7mrnpC2oA-74R5WjlVlQZkOASbxCanA_yD2SSA6Ywi9Fg1EjVD7rveGkELpTgp5KXheqg8r9ZqsV297j_anniz6unUHwA-96Yf8z0Cp5KIoyqGjz5w/s803/341774578535357c792a2e6d0a4520e3.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/34/17/74/341774578535357c792a2e6d0a4520e3.jpg
https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/763500943060979030/
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, as pain, disability, and suffering increase, it is possible to grow disheartened, and even doubt whether God sill cares for us. If and when this happens, help us to recognise some truths, besides seeking medical help for our conditions:
Help us to remember how good God has been to us in the past, and that He will never leave nor forsake us. Help us to remember His promise that He is working all things together for our good.
Encourage us by remembering that for the Christian, though the going may get more painful by the day, ultimately, there will be a quantum leap into a far better and more glorious day. Paul expressed it in these words: ‘I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us’. Such a view of the distant end (no more tears, suffering, and pain) help us bear with present suffering.
Lord, we need community to help us. It has been said that a burden shared is a burden halved. Getting together with other ageing saints, who may all be hurting in some way, can be mutually encouraging. We spur one another to persevere and be resilient.
Help us to think of how we and our church can help seniors in this painful and suffering situation. We pray that those in the larger community (as the one in the local church) can minister to seniors who may need help - praying with them, bringing them to clinics, running errands for them, and just talking to them.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!"
Picture saved by Kimberly Faith to Christian Purpose
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-giWrx7zBTKfi-Q3U8UZps1988GYUCqZQZIaHDxFi9zhmWm0vuqjgJ5BwwtBy5Lk8wNyLFlAcwQLoSbvbHtK6LOhyphenhyphensavIqMTa0YqLswQVTIpistM0M8rMLsbITTRth2kPeuiyisv4Pyw/s1200/9fa0769add0a681c402e5c7ee5e515cb.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9f/a0/76/9fa0769add0a681c402e5c7ee5e515cb.jpg
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/712905815989770813/
Source (book): "Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, PART IV: HEALTH AND FRAILTIES, Chapter 25, "Pain and Suffering", Question 2, Page 168.
By Robert M. Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000 - 2012
Other Books
Also from the same author, Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html
"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html
"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html
"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
Reference
Links
Other Books - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/reflection-books-links.html
New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Matthew 11:28-29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-29&version=NIV
Revelation 21:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+21%3A4&version=NIV
Romans 8:18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A18&version=NIV
Romans 8:28 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A28&version=NIV
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- http://heavenlyfragrance.blogspot.com/2011/02/victorious-in-christ.html
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- https://www.guideposts.org/sites/default/files/styles/hero_box_left_lg/public/blog_post/field_of_flowers.jpg?timestamp=1528139105
- https://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/inspiring-stories/3-bible-verses-about-gods-presence
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- https://www.artstation.com/artwork/8AbaQ
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