Trials attack like relentless packs of hungry coyotes vying for prey in a barren desert. They can overwhelm and defeat, but giving pain to God redeems suffering as a blessing of comfort and peace, bringing triumph out of tribulation.
2MefromHim Devotional
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
I awakened to the cries of coyotes celebrating a kill. Equal in harshness was my pain, unvanquished by the night’s rest. Heavy, gray clouds boded a day of bone-chilling ache that no remedy would quell. As the coyotes quieted, a soft snow began floating to the ground, pure, white blanketing the violence with an embrace of silent comfort.
My home lies in a drought-stricken desert, a place where coyotes, plants, and people crave respite from the relentless conditions of a dry and arid land. My body and spirit crave reprieve from relentless pain as well. As one animal becomes prey that another might live, pain carves its message into the flesh of those it chastens, enabling them to nourish others with strength.
Suffering is not always punishment, but a tool honed for specific use on the lives it touches. The offerings of a pain-touched soul may caress fellow sufferers with love and comfort. When offered back to God, pain renders the recipient of greater and nobler use, a messenger of hope to assuage the doubts and fears of weaker souls, a warrior to defend and strengthen brothers and sisters attacked by adversaries and encircled by dread. “For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1: 6)
Everything God sends, whether good or ill, is an emissary of His love and care to a
troubled world. Offering my suffering back to God and seeking His guidance to touch others with comfort, strength, and love sanctifies my pain, making it an acceptable gift to Him. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1)
Rather than growing bitter through trials, I choose to grow better and stronger, more open to the healing balm of God. If He allows pain, I desire it to enrich rather than diminish me. I refuse to consider the yelps of coyotes as boding ill, but rather hear them as the cries of those craving the hope of God.
Lord, cover me with your love, as the snow blankets the thirsty ground. Enable me to drink in all you offer as weapons to stave off the enemy and tools strengthen those around me that they may know your comfort.
© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, February 23, 2016
“Rather than growing bitter through trials, I choose to grow better and stronger” 
“Lord, cover me with your love”
About the author:
Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and the New Mexico Christian Novelists. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.
Connect with Norma:
Website: www.normagail.org
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Norma-Gail/e/B00ILHXBAK/
Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NormaGailwrites
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/normagailth/boards/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2
Book Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Bookstore: http://store.lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/
12 Comments
You are so loved Norma and God is working a faithful message through you. Thank you for sharing how God is strengthening you to face each day. 🙂
Thank you for your encouragement, Marcie! Sharing helps us grow, doesnt’ it!
Norma, this is absolutely beautiful. I can relate so much to this message, as I’m sure others can. Thank you for using your personal pain to glorify the Lord and encourage others.
Dear Nan, we both know God wants us to waste nothing He gives us. I am glad you were touched by the message He gave me.
This post could help so many in this world.
Thank you, Karen! I appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to comment!
A beautiful post.
I am so glad you liked it, Ann!
Remember the Thorn in Paul’s side story …. is this the reason for your pain, I just wrote in a comment on my page about a good friend of mine who would not heal after years of praying for her….she was God’s warrior and an intercessor, it did not make sense to me…..and one day she finally told us why our prayers were not working…..she desired the pain, for fear if it left her, she would not need her closeness to God….and desired the pain more than a healing.
I firmly believe that my pain is my thorn. However, I do believe God could heal me at any time He chooses. I continue to pray for healing as new health problems arise. The pain is my reminder that God is working in my life. That said, there are days it is very difficult. Continuing to struggle at times does not negate my understanding of the ministry of pain in my life, neither does it negate my belief that God could heal me.
What beautiful words from adversity, a gift you offer so graciously. I know so many people in pain, and your words are enlightening!! I will remember them!
Warm blessings from Christian Women Blggers Unite on FB!
I hope you are able to encourage someone from something I said! That is one of my greatest blessings!