Finding Hope When Living With Chronic Pain and IllnessSample

## God Is Our Cheerleader > What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? —Romans 8:31 If you are dealing with chronic pain or chronic illness, you know how frustrating it is when you are unable to do what you used to do, want to do, or enjoy doing. Your body tells you it’s just too much, so you need to alter your plans for the day. Errands may have to wait. It can feel like everyone and everything (including your own body) is working against you. The enemy tries to make you believe that God is no longer on your side. Some people envision God sitting up in Heaven with a checklist, marking down everything they’ve done wrong so He can dole out an appropriate punishment. You may have been led to believe that your chronic pain and illness are a result of that judgment. However, that isn’t how God operates. He loves you. He is working in everything for your good and using each situation (and pain) for His glory. In Romans 8:31, Paul tells us that God is for us, always. He is on our side, and that’s all we truly need to know. Pain or illness can never change that. After all, He loves us so much that He gave up His Son so that we can be with Him forever. Faith isn’t about removing our pain or the trials we face. Neither a trouble-free nor pain-free life is guaranteed for us. Paul could attest to that fact. He knew we’d be tested. If Paul were here today, he would remind you that Jesus conquered it all. It may feel at times that you’re swimming upstream against the current. Don’t fear. Instead, rest assured that God will bring healing and deliverance, in His time, according to His will and plans. And with Him by your side, no one can ever be against you. So put your trust in Him and rely on His love. He’s rooting for you! Lord, thank You for loving me, encouraging me, supporting me, and always being in my corner. Amen.