I remember vividly having the conversation with Collin about being mad at God. He said, “I prayed for God to heal Trey and he didn’t. I prayed for God to heal Papaw, and he didn’t.” I told Collin at that time that I totally understood. When my dad died of ALS, I was mad too. I was mad that I never had the chance to REALLY have a dad. Fast forward MANY years and God gave me Joe Duncan who I worked for almost 25 years, the dad I never dad.

I understand Collin’s question – why do people suffer and die when it says in the bible to ask him anything and he will do it. “I will pray to the Lord, and he will answer me from his holy mountain.” Ps. 3:4 And what about, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.” John 16:23.

My devotion hit me today, especially because I am in pain and suffering. The doctor’s office blames the insurance company and the insurance company blames the doctor’s office for not being able to schedule an important surgery that will take me out of pain that I have been experiencing for a year. Well, actually, I have had interstitial cystitis for 40 years and the doctors told me I would get to the point that nothing would work to help my pain. The temporary Interstim device DID!

Why can’t they get the permanent surgery scheduled? I have prayed and prayed. What is God trying to teach me? I really don’t know. My faith is NOT weak because I prayed the other day – God, you can move mountains, move this one. I KNOW he can. Yes, I know there are things we will never understand this side of heaven. That is one thing you DO NOT have to tell me. My family is a prime example of that knowledge.

Is God speaking to me? Yes, he is. I was sitting in the doctor’s office yesterday with Jay and I was fuming. I was READY to give it to the doctor, even though I know it’s not his fault. I was mouthing and Jay said, “Lisa, you need to just be nice.” NOT SO FAST, as Lee Corso says. I probably looked at Jay like he had three heads. Within SECONDS I received a text from my Sunday School teacher, Carolyn Mrok, and she simply said, “I’m praying you get your surgery scheduled.” I showed Jay and said, well, I guess the Holy Spirit is telling me to be nice. Do you know I can’t find that text now? And I literally said, it’s Carolyn, and read it to him. I do not delete texts.

I know people are praying for me. I know my office is tired of me hurting and not being able to move around. I’m tired of being in the bed all weekend and immediately when I get home. I’m tired of missing ballgames. I haven’t been to church in months!!! I’m missing my LIFE! But I can still say, God is good. Why? Because I have family that takes wonderful care of me. I am blessed, in these hard times.

My devotion said today, “Prayer slaps handcuffs on Satan. Prayer takes problems out of the domain of the Devil and into the presence of God.” Max Lucado (I love this book, by the way. God is With You Every Day)

What is the purpose in my suffering? Maybe it is the opportunity for others to serve and help care for me. Maybe it prompts someone else to pray and bring them closer to God. I told Jay and my friends last night that I was driving home yesterday clinching the steering wheel and seething. Then, God just told me to unclench my fists. Jay joked and said, I hope you didn’t let go of the steering wheel! I told him no, but I simply released my grip, opened my hands, and said, “God, it is yours. I’ll simply obey.”

Sometimes our suffering might be a reminder of obedience and prayer. A “DUH” moment.