Life has set an unwanted limit around my days. A border of pain I cannot breach.
A fence of fatigue that I often fall flat on. A covering of weakness which weighs heavy on my frame.
Movement and ability are constrained and I feel it more as years slide by.
I seem to be at war within my body as it exercises control I chafe at and a closed door I long to open again.
We operate within the bounds of time, constrained by circumstances, stilled and paralysed by situations we haven’t sought.
We sit with inner desire to rise above them all. To fly free from pain.
We want to be without the limitations of a broken body in a broken world.
To have the capacity to carry out our necessary duties and spare energy for pleasure.
We chafe uncomfortably when illness sets a limit and confines us, either temporarily or more permanently.
But I’ve discovered that no matter how life may treat us, there is no limit with God.
[bctt tweet=”There is no limit to God’s limitless love. No limit to His goodness and grace.”]
There is no limit to His mercy and forgiveness.
No limit to His daily care and concern, His sustaining power.
Since I’ve surrendered my life to Jesus, I’ve been able to view this life with an eternal perspective. To stress less about my situation.
I’ve seen a life without limit opening up to me even as I yearn for better things.
God offers us hope, peace, joy and inner rest in the here and now and fulfilment of promise to come.
[bctt tweet=”God gives us a gift without limit; a gift beyond price – the gift of His Son.”]
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly ~ John 10:10 ESV
We can have a renewed, redeemed, restored heart, mind and life as we place our faith and trust in Him.
On the surface things may seem just the same. But in our hearts? A deep inner healing work without limit has begun.
And that’s worth hanging onto when this life presses its limitations on us.
How do you cope when life sets limits on you?
What helps you to stay strong when you feel weak?
I’m joining fellow five- minute-friday- friends at Kate Motaung’s place where we write freely within the limits of time constraints. Also linking here with Barbie as we share what God is whispering to our hearts for Weekend Whispers.
Words of Joy 
Hi Joy, stopping by from fmf. I like how you point out things may look the same on the surface, but healing is within. I’m sorry for the limitations you are feeling these days. May God continue to bring healing and joy to your days.
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Hi Debby. It’s good to see you here! Thank you so much for your kind concern. We all need to lean a lot on God, especially when life gets more challenging. I’m blessed by your visit.
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Joy, I am still struggling when limitations (mostly physical) come. I know that if we submit to God and resist the devil, he will flee from us. And, when we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. That is his promise. But how do we best get there? I am tired of the devil winning in my life!
Thank you for your encouraging words!
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Hello Brenda. I’m sorry to hear you are struggling with physical health concerns. They certainly do weigh us down. I’ve often found that a very simple prayer like, “Jesus, I choose to see you. I choose to trust you in this moment.” can be enough to focus our minds on Him and away from our problems. On days when even that seems like a step too far, I remember that God hears tears as prayers and our inner cries for help will not go unheeded by Him. He is aware of how tired we feel and how battle-scarred we can become. Please be gentle with yourself in this season. Believe that God hears you and will meet your needs. There’s no need to work our way into His presence because He never leaves or forsakes us. Rest in being held while you feel weak. Words are not always necessary. I’ll be praying for you, my friend. Thank you so much for taking the trouble to leave a comment. Do write to me again if you need to. May God bless you with His peace.
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I’m sorry you deal so much with physical limits, Joy. I understand how that feels, though I think I am not as limited as you are. But I love how God’s love towards us is never limited. That’s such a comforting thought. As is this – “A deep inner healing work without limit has begun.” It reminds me that I should never limit to what extent He can heal us. Thank you for these thoughts, my friend. Blessings and hugs to you!
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Dear Trudy, your compassion and kindness mean a lot to me. Thank you for caring and understanding how things feel. I actually didn’t mean to or even realise that I’d focussed strongly on my health concerns here. I thought I was being matter of fact more than sharing with intent to rouse sympathy. But yes, life is extra challenging right now. And it’s not great timing when I’m trying to compile an ebook to self-publish! So I’m deeply grateful for your support and even more for the opportunity to offer hope and encouragement to you too. Let’s not set any limits on what God can do with a soul surrendered to Him! Blessings and hugs to you, my friend.
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I really didn’t read into it that you were trying to arouse sympathy, Joy. I just know you deal with limitations a lot, and I empathize with you. In fact, because of your physical limitations, I believe God gives you greater spiritual insight into and deeper healing from His limitless love. 🙂 ❤️
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Trudy, your empathy is a lovely gift of grace. I think I was concerned not to major on my health concerns but to have the main focus being God’s limitless love and care for us. It does seem that those who live what could be considered as ‘less than’ lives (in terms of physical weakness and illness) can receive a compensation of spiritual insight that might be missed if more fully engaged with life’s busyness. I sense that in you too, my friend. ❤
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Yes that is totally worth hanging onto. Im over in the #10 spot.
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Thanks, Tara. I’ve just hopped over to read your post and I love the way you live within your limits! Bless you for stopping by. 🙂
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I’m so sorry you are suffering physically and I’ll be praying our great God brings you comfort. Thank you for sharing your beautiful heart!
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Bless you, Carrie. To some extent these are limitations I have learnt to live with, although I can only live well with illness by God’s sustaining grace. Your prayers and concern are greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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You encourage me with God’s Truth. Thank you, Joy, for I need this now and seems will need in the future. Physical pains and limitations are things I live with and have been particularly not well these past few weeks. I am worn out and just want to God to take care of it all. The good news is that He is … in His way and His time.
Praising God, linda
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Oh Linda, I’m so sorry to hear how you’re suffering similarly. Illness can cast a dark shadow over our days, especially when it comes with physical pain and limitations. May you find the rest you so desperately need as you allow our Saviour to take very good care of you. I’m joining you in praising God for His goodness and grace! It is the defining point of our faith. You always weave such encouraging words on your blog and as you stop by to comment here. Bless you, friend. Praying you have some soul solace and relief from the pain.
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So sorry you’re facing such physical ailments, Joy. I will definitely add you to my prayer list.
Lynette
~#76 this wk on linkup
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Thank you, Lynette. That’s so kind of you! Bless you, friend.
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Yes, God’s love is limitless. On those days when we are feeling broken and bruised, God’s love continues to pour out and give us strength for the days ahead. Hugs!
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Oh yes, Barbie, we are always covered by God’s love as it “continues to pour out and give us strength for the days ahead.” How we need that! And I also see it in the supportive community here and at your blog where we offer love, care and concern to one another. It’s such a blessing. Hugs to you too!
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You shared so vulnerably what life looks like with limits. But God has no limits and He can take us beyond our imagination. The only way I make it through those times I am weak or bound by circumstances is to turn to God. You and I know that trying to fix it on our own does not work. Thank you for sharing so bravely and for showing me what a deep trust in God can do. Love you!
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Mary, I’m deeply grateful that God can take us “beyond our imagination” as you share here. I know I couldn’t make it in life without God. It’s hard to see myself as brave when I’m simply being honest. But I must admit that vulnerability seems to have become my default mode since I’ve been blogging. If it helps others become encouraged to see they are not alone with their concerns, then that is what I hope and pray will happen as they read the words I share. I love you too, and your courageous, generous heart!
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Thank you, Joy! God used your words mightily to speak to me tonight!
God bless you for your willingness to share His word! I always love to see your name pop up in my email!
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Hi Brenda. It’s wonderful to hear how God has used these words to speak to you. Praise Him for His inspiration and timing! Thank you so much for encouraging my heart with your own words. It’s always lovely to see you here. May you continue to be blessed in the days ahead.
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Thank you for sharing. That was encouraging.
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Thanks for visiting. It’s good to meet you! I’m so pleased you found something to encourage you here and I would love you to stop by again. Blessings.
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Joy, Thank you!
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