Have you ever noticed that as we grow older time seems to pass more quickly? Our youthful adventures seem like they happened in another lifetime and like they happened only yesterday. Perhaps the most difficult part of the aging process is the various ailments that beset us. Yes our memories are not what they used to be, but it's the physical issues that we must adjust to that make life challenging. Arthritis sets in our joints and no pain reliever truly relieves all of the discomfort. Joints begin to fail and replacement surgery appears to be in our future. 20/20 vision succumbs to bi-focals, reading glasses, or cataract surgery. Heart-caths, stints, and Pacemakers become a part of our conversations with friends and family. We wind up using so many artificial devices to get through life that we feel like the "Six Million Dollar Man". It can all be a little depressing. There is hope. Keep one thing in mind.
"This is the day that the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24). Life may not be as enjoyable as we would like. Every day may not bring joy to our soul and we may not always feel like rejoicing. But, whether we know it or not, God is in control. He knows where you hurt. He knows what troubles you and He cares about your physical well being. He feels your pain. Yes, He does. God has given us physicians and medicine to manage many of our ailments and I believe He expects us to make use of these things. He has also given us His Son and He expects us to to make use of this relationship. While some may experience a miracle healing, most of us must endure some sort of physical malady in the fall and winter of our lives. God has given us some advice to deal with all of life's problems. "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3). God may choose not to heal us from our infirmities, but He gives us the strength, comfort, perserverance, and courage to face each day and deal with our burden. We may have never known that such power was available to us until we needed it. It is clear that time alone with God, reading His Word, and talking to Him through prayer, are essential to our relationship with Him. Only then can we say, "This is the day that the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it." I may lose my mobility, I may lose my health, I may lose many things, but I want to be able to stand before my Lord and say, "I Never Lost My Praise." Have a blessed day.
