Christian Womens Blog

Christian Womens Blog by Laurie Cole of Priority Ministries

Laurie Cole

Author, Speaker, Teacher

Sickness and Suffering: 3 Things God Wants YOU to Know

Front Porch Friday logo

I’m back! And I’ve missed you here on Front Porch Friday. I have so much to tell you about what God has been doing in the life of my family (specifically in my father’s life), so let’s catch up today!

But I also want us to pick up where we left off in our Front Porch Friday series, 7 Struggles That Will Make You STRONGER. If you or someone you love is struggling with sickness or suffering, there are 3 things God wants you to know. So come sit on the porch with me as we enjoy a sweet reunion AND a word from God. See you on the porch!

 

Your sister,

LaurieSig

If you or someone you love is struggling with sickness or suffering, please post a prayer request so all of us glo girls can pray for you. Or, if you’ve experienced God’s grace through your own sickness or suffering, give Him glory and share your story! 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I have been chronically ill for years. Fibromyalgia and bad head aches has robbed me of a career and a busy productive life. I am totally blind and having to always prove myself doesn’t help. Beyond this I am struggling because some one that I care about deeply has rejected me because of my honesty after she hurt my husband and I. It is too long and too painful to share. Thanks for the prayers.

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  2. Dearest Laurie,
    Thank you. This post is very special to me. More than words can say. When my Ed had his heart attack, I didn’t know how to process my grief. I saw God carry us, Ed’s faith was strong, and our children grew in their faith beyond my mother’s prayers. Our oldest daughter even wrote a song “My child I am with you, don’t fear” which blesses my heart and makes me cry every time I hear it. But I didn’t do so well, I fell apart and seemed to go backward rather than forward. God is slowly building me back up, and healing my heart, and this Friday porch is part of those mercies that are new every morning. I can ‘see’ with your Scriptures and lesson a little clearer that God’s purposes are always good, even when we can’t understand. It reminds me of a lesson God taught me that I think might bless you as it did me as a new believer when our oldest daughter Jacquelynn was a newborn. Ed and I took her for her infant shots, our beloved daughter (after having lost our firstborn). As the nurse gave our baby her shots, both Ed and I had tears streaming down our eyes, but we knew it was best for her. But, I will NEVER forget the look in her little eyes; it was betrayal! Her Mom and Dad who had always loved and held and fed and cared for her every need, now were ‘hurting’ her. She couldn’t understand it, and the Lord spoke to my heart in that moment so clearly; Debra, ‘when hard things happen, REMEMBER this. And remember my love for you, and that I know what is best for you, even if you don’t understand’. I hope and pray that through these hard times God holds you close so you know our Father’s love for you, and when you are hurting and don’t feel it, know He is holding onto your hand, forever, because He PROMISED. I wish I could hold onto that thought more, but this front porch Friday just brought that lesson (26 years ago) to mind, and I thank you sweet sister. Laurie, I know this hasn’t been easy for you with your Daddy, but watching your faith in our Heavenly Father and being willing to share it with us is why I think you are a ‘wonderful big sister’. I love you, and I love the porch, can’t wait till we all get to sit on the big front porch in heaven with all God’s glo girls on it, can you imagine?! As the song goes, ‘it will be worth it all, when we see Jesus’…love you…
    Would you do something for me? Would you please Hug your Mama, and Daddy for me? They won’t get it, but it’s for all those ‘sick and suffering’ patients and their family I didn’t get to hug after surgery. I remember as a young surgical assistant, at Brook army medical center in San Antonio, we did those brain surgeries, I didn’t know or understand then what families were going through like I do now. Maybe it’s best, or I would have been a puddle on the floor instead of being able to do my job! So thankful for the One who knows everything, and that ‘there is a season, a time for every purpose under the heavens’. Blessings, and prayers for you all.
    You are so beautiful in Him! And God is growing me stronger because of you. See you on the porch next week. 🙂

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  3. Hi Laurie,
    I am so glad your dad is doing well. My husband has had 3 heart attack, Triple bypass and is now on a Heart Transplant list.I have a hard time processing my feelings they are all over the place. I know that God is with Ed and I or we would not have made it this far. Only 17% of his heart was working when they did the bypass surgery in 2010. He is a fighter and the Lord is right there with him all the way.Ed loves God so much and he says it would be good to stay here with me but if God want it will be Great to also be with God either way is a win win for him. Me I cry alot and I try my best to give it to the Lord and 3/4 of the time I believe I do but I do have my days that I want to give up. But then I remember what all the Lord has done for us and is with us always.It is said if God brings it to you He will see you through it and I do believe that with all my heart. So my request is that a Heart will come soon for Ed because they say his heart is getting weaker now and that I will grow stronger in the Lord as I walk threw this trial. Pray your father just keeps getting stronger and for you family. God Bless!

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  4. Hey Laurie….
    It’s good to have you back. (;-0)
    Praying your dad continues to grow in his strength & abilities & your moms strength prevails. Haven’t had the pleasure of meeting them but the pic you put of the two together, last year on FB, wellllll the love for each other is evident & you can see His peace as well.

    And this is a great message for me to share with many.
    That if you know Jesus & have access with & to Father God…..and like W said this morning, “””RUN to Him”””!

    And I come now with this request for prayer for my brother-inluv. He’s 57 & has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer & it’s progressing much faster than we thought. Please keep him, his daughter Aimie, her mom Linda & my mom inluv lifted in prayer. My prayer is that God gives them, each, this time for much healing….letting all other past stuff go but & finding much rest in His great, amazing & assured love. Knowing that they are all born again, We have peace that while it hurts sooo much right now, we WILL see them again. Thank You Father God for Love=Jesus=salvation=LIFE eternally…….healed, whole & in His Presence.

    We will continue to pray for your sweet parents & all y’all as you walk through these next, days, weeks & maybe even months in this new journey…………blessings of comfort, peace & rest in Him.

    P.S. Missed walking out last Tues. Had a really sweet lady who needed to “””talk”””. Take care…….

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  5. Dearest Laurie,
    I was so very glad to hear your Dad is improving!! It was nice to hear your sweet voice too. My prayer request involving suffering and illness is that I lost my Dad and dear brother-in-law within 7 weeks of each other last Oct. and Dec. and I am concerned about the widows left behind. My dear brother-in-law David was only 52. Also, a very dear friend of over 30 years is dealing with her husbands severe stroke that happened March 15. He is only 55! So much suffering going on it’s hard to watch and not be in control to help all these people that I love so much. But I pray for them and ask all of you to do the same. Thank you so much!

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  6. Hi Laurie!

    I just want to thank you for sharing your update on your Dad. His testimony is truly powerful and inspiring! You see, I am an Registered Nurse of over 15 years in acute care. Most of my experience is in emergency medicine and as of the past six months I have been in long term acute care nursing. I care for patients that have suffered from the very illness(or similar)and injuries that your father has endured. I must say it is a miracle your father is alive and even more miraculous that he has made the VERY RAPID

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  7. recovery that he has. May God continue to strengthen him (spirit, soul and body) and your entire family as he continues on his road of recovery! Thank you again for sharing your powerful testimony and may God continually bless you as you continue your ministry. You have been a true blessing in my life! Love you, sis!

    Reply

  8. Hi Laurie,

    very encouraging today your Front Porch Friday on sickness and suffering especially since i was diagnosed with ovarian cancer a year ago and now drs. have given me a prognosis of a few months post 4 groups of chemo which have not worked. BUT my husband I believe in Gods truth and not mans truth and we are placing our hope and trust in the Lord still for my health and recovery. God has healed me of many sins in the past year, and the quality of my life now is far far better than ever before. He has used this time for great purpose in my life and in the life of my husband, and family, each of who have changed through this experience of being alongside me in my illness. I have experienced total loss of strength, I am completely weak, and He is my strength and and my grace and annoints me every day, even now when I am having weekly chemo, I am still able to work part time as a psychotherapist. God alone! grace and peace to you all, bless you for your ministy to us, your sisters in Jesus. AMEN sarah

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  9. Laurie,
    We lost Richard on March 25th a tragic death Harold, his brother is suffering so much we are trying to continue on, but it is very difficult. Our life is going to change to the extremes we both had that terrible flu when this happened and WOW. I am reading the one year bible that you taught in the WOW Class. The Lord said, stop and see me as the I AM I tell you it is going to carry us thru all this somehow as hard as it is our faith is growing in his strength. Thank your lord for this struggle

    Reply

    • Your sweet, submissive heart toward the Lord as you suffer is so beautiful, Melinda. I am so sorry you and Harold are grieving and hurting, but I am so grateful for the way you are seeking the Lord through His Word. He is faithful, and he will carry you through. My prayer is that you will sense His nearness, experience His divine touch, and hear His loving voice more than ever before as you walk through this valley. I love you, precious sister. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

      Reply

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  1. […] But I also want us to pick up where we left off in our Front Porch Friday series, 7 Struggles That Will Make You STRONGER. If you or someone you love is struggling with sickness or suffering, there are 3 things God wants you to know. So come sit on the porch with me as we enjoy a sweet reunion AND a word from God. See you on the porch! […]

    Reply

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