Caller: I’m bed-bound with multiple sclerosis. I have pain 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It doesn’t let up and I’m almost blind. And I feel ready to give it up. And I can’t take medicine to prolong a life that I feel brings no peace, no joy – no nothing. Would I be committing suicide?
Pastor Doug: Well if you do something, if you take action that terminates your life, that would be suicide.
Now, I heard you say something, I hope you don’t mind Janice, I’d like to address: Life is a gift even though you may not be getting joy out of it. The purpose of your life I can’t explain what all the details would be.
Caller: Right
Pastor Doug: But you know God doesn’t only bring us into existence so that we can derive pleasure or joy.
Caller: No.
Pastor Doug: One of the reasons is so that you can bring the glory to Him and it may be that you are able to bring glory to Him even through your trials. So I’m sure there are days where you are on the verge of despair.
Caller: Yes.
Pastor Doug: But keep in mind that you need to trust God that if you’re alive, He has a purpose and just say, ‘Lord, today, help me fulfill your purpose. If it means I need to praise you through my trials, give me the grace and strength to do that.’
The Apostle Paul struggled with some vexing physical ailment. We don’t know exactly what it was…
Caller: Yeah.
Pastor Doug: and he prayed three times God would take it and God said no my strength is made perfect in weakness. And it could be that this disease is God’s way of making His Strength perfect in you.
Could we pray with you Janice?
Caller: Sure!
Pastor Doug: Let’s do that.
Father in Heaven, we just want to come before you collectively, those listening, and to direct those prayers in Janice’s direction and others like her who are facing despair because of physical maladies or maybe even terminal illness. And I pray that You’ll give them the courage, physical strength and grace to know how they can best serve you with their life that remains. And looking forward to their new body where there is no more pain, and the New Earth, the New Life. And so I pray that you grant her peace, even though she may not have peace in her body, she can have that in her heart. And we’re asking this in Christ’s name. Amen.
Caller: Thank you very much!
Pastor Doug: You’re welcome Janice. And thank you for calling.
Caller: Ok. Bye-bye.
Pastor Doug and Co-Host: Bye-bye.
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