Suffering In Stride

Suffering in Stride

FROM ANGIE’S ARCHIVES

Sunday, November 5, 2017

PRAYER ORDER

Psalm 119:50  "My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life."

Suffering is an unpleasant experience with a threat of harm to an individual.  We try to avoid it at all costs, but sometimes it's just part of the plan God has for us.  Acts 14:22“We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”  We do not suffer in vain.  All that we suffer through has a purpose. It is intended to help us to rely on God more and less on ourselves.

There are two ways to respond to suffering: question, blame, and curse God while you suffer OR praise and thank God for the suffering that drew you closer to Him.  Job 2:9-10 is a good example.."His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”  In all this, Job did not sin in what he said."

Suffering makes our hope in God's promises all the more powerful and meaningful to our hearts, minds and souls.  2 Corinthians 4:17-18  "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Are you going through a tough time? Take heart. The Lord is sovereign and He controls all adversity in our lives. That’s why it’s important to remember how much He loves us. If He allows us to go through pain, suffering, or loss, then He has something good He wants to accomplish in us. [intouch.org]

As for myself, my personal suffering is God's way of keeping me focused on Him and His promises.  If CMT [Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease] had not been my 'thorn', where would my spiritual state be?  The struggles make you stronger, and the changes make you wise, but to God none of it is a surprise.  God is my all in all, every step of the way.

7 Truths About Suffering [C. Stanley;  intouch.org]

1. Adversity is universal. It’s everywhere and can affect any area of our lives.

2. It’s impartial. Because we live in a fallen world, trouble comes to all of us—even believers, no matter what our financial, social, or educational status.

3. Adversity is painful. The pain can be physical, emotional, or relational, but whatever the source, it hurts.

4. Sometimes adversity comes suddenly. Life could be going on as normal when an accident or a negative report from the doctor leaves us unexpectedly devastated.

5. Times of adversity may be prolonged. Sometimes the emotional or physical pain continues for years.

6. It may be intense. We may hurt so badly that even those who try to bring comfort feel the pain.

7. Adversity is often beyond our control. We may feel helpless and have no answer for why God would allow us to go through it.

Prayer Order

FROM ANGIE’S ARCHIVES

Friday, March 16, 2012

Prayer order

This caption reminded me that we should put our needs and wants last when we pray.  There is a simple acronym, ACTS, to help us remember everything to pray for.

A-Adoration.  We should praise God for who He is.  That He is just and never changing.

C-Confession   Recognize your sinful faults and nature and ask for forgiveness. 'Renew in me a steadfast heart.'

T-Thanksgiving   Count your blessings. Be grateful for another day of life. Thank Him for the hills and the valleys of your journey.

S-Supplication  Tell of both your needs and those of others.  Be specific, expectant and submissive.

The Bible points out that our prayers are often ineffective because we don't pray under the right conditions. James 4;3  ''When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.''

A Note From Dad...

Thursday, May 2, 2024

 A NOTE FROM DAD ABOUT ANGIE

Angie wrote 1348 blogs over a 13 year period.   The first one was just after she recovered from a serious bout with pneumonia, and she really had a lot to say in 2012 when she wrote 342 blogs.  She was most proud of her blogs and sharing them with anyone who would take the time to read them.  The blogs were her legacy.

Angie was born in Conway, Arkansas on September 2nd, 1971.  Her parents are Wayne and Bobbie Riffle, a couple of college students just struggling to get thru school.   Angie went to public schools most of her life graduating from North Pulaski High School in 1989 and she attended three Universities, graduating with honors from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois in 1994 with a degree in Microbiology.

At a very early age we noticed that her muscles were not developing correctly and this led to getting braces and corrective shoes.  BY 1984 or 85, we had made our way to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and with two family studies it was determined that she had a nerve disease called “Charcot-Marie-Tooth”  (CMT) a rare disease with no cure or treatments.  By 1986 Angie had developed “Scoliosis” and it was necessary to place rods in her back, to prevent further complications.  Without a cure for the CMT it progressed and muscular atrophy continued to make her body weaker. It was necessary to supplement her breathing with machines, and wheelchairs to aid her movements and lots of drugs to keep the pain under control.  Angie died on December 4th 2023.

To follow is :

·         Comments  from Four of her Friends

Gloria Godbee

Mary Perssons

Vera Blevins

Betsy Peters

 Hope you have enjoyed the blogs.

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Romans 8:17 (NIV) says: "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

When I think about what Angie's blog meant to me, I would say it was an invitation to share in suffering.  This may sound odd, as suffering is something most of us do not necessarily want to be invited into.  But in God's economy, an invitation to share in His suffering is a profound gift, because sharing in His sufferings allows us to share in His glory.  If I had not read Angie's blog, if I did not know her story and witness her suffering, then I would not have been able to share in the glory that was her passage into Christ's presence.  

In her last blog entry, Angie wrote about being in a desert. But Angie knew, if only by faith, that God's purpose was never to leave her there. Angie's blog walked us through the desert with her; through sufferings, unknowns, and surprising joys, so that we might more fully understand and value the Hope and Glory that await all of us Believers on the other side.

To me, Angie's life and blog can be summed up in the faith passage of Hebrews: 

"All these people were still living by faith when they died.  They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.  If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."

Hebrews 11:13-16 (NIV)

— Mary Persson

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For many years I've had a friend named Angie, one most dear to my heart. Her body was more frail than anyone I have ever personally known, but her spirit, her intellect and her spunk far exceeded most and overcame any challenge that was put in her path. Indeed, she was something to behold, "fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14) I Miss her. I will always miss her. But she is home now, complete in in the arms of the Savior whom she loved and shared diligently with others.

Her desire was to see Christians grow and unbelievers believe. If you have read her blog, you know this already. You have perused and contemplated and been richly blessed by what she shared. If you have not, please engage your mind and listen to the rich thoughts and words.  Allow the meditations of a life well spent to sink into your intermost parts and change your way of thinking about things, your worldview.

I watched her over the years, as she began to blog several years ago. Initially, she would often used it as a way to share her "beefs." Very quickly though, it became a means for her to " speak," using this as her megaphone as she overcame her inability to speak aloud. It was her feet to lead others down the path of freedom. It was her hands to reach out and give to others the bread of life. Nothing could stop that frail body from doing the work she was called to--not even death. She lives on in the legacy she has left--the myriad of friends and loved ones who have grown from her gift of love, and the vital truths that she has shared with all of us.  It's not so much about Angie. Angie was not perfect. It's about a perfect God who used an imperfect woman right where she was. The hours it took for her to tenaciously write each of those blogs are a testimony to a life well lived and an example to each of us to press through our seeming inabilities, and to make a difference in this world in which God has placed us, just as Angie did in her small space but very big world. Thanks, Angie. I for one am eternally grateful.

— Gloria Godbee

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Memoir of Her Friendship with Angie

Amazing Angie, that’s what Angie Bridger was to me, amazing!  The first time I met Angie was at church.  She came with her Mom and Dad because she had moved back home.  I soon learned two things about Angie.  She loved Jesus and she loved cute clothes.  We had a small group who usually went to lunch after church and Angie and her parents were included.

I always looked forward to being with Angie because of her intelligence and sense of humor.  We could talk for hours.  We wound up going to different churches but whenever I came into contact with Angie, it was like we had never parted ways and we picked up as if nothing had changed.  On one occasion I ran into Angie at Funland in Burns Park where I had taken my grandson to ride the rides.  Even with her disabilities she was a thrill seeker and loved the rides.

If Angie invited me to accompany her to various events and other activities, I gladly accepted because she was a joy to be with.  She came to know my grand kids and they adored her.  She was an inspiration to countless people that she met in the course of her life.

I cherish the memories of going with her and her caregivers to concerts, movies, restaurants, shopping, along with many other fun venues and activities.  Angie was also my greatly valued prayer partner and spiritual advisor.  Many times, I sought her advice regarding matters involving family and church and she not only gave good council but also prayed with me on these matters.

Despite the inevitable deterioration of Angie’s body, her spirit and unfaltering trust in the Lord was evidence for all who knew her that in her life, God’s grace was indeed sufficient.  What a powerful testimony that was for believers.

In closing, I want to thank Bobbie and Wayne for their tireless efforts to make Angie’s life as pleasant and productive as possible while sharing her with the world.  Yes, Angie was amazing, and my best friend.   

— Vera Blevins

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A TRIBUTE TO ANGIE – BY HER FRIEND BETSY

There are few circumstances in my life when I have felt like God clearly orchestrated the process and outcome.  But in the circumstance of meeting Angie 14 years ago and becoming her friend, I feel very confident that this was a direct gift from God to me and my family. 

I started getting to know Angie while my (now) 14 year old son, Jed, was a baby.  I would bring him to her house every week and with the help of Angie’s aide, Angie and I got to know each other very well.  I loved Angie because she had a depth of faith and a commitment to God, in spite of her suffering, that I felt was genuine.  I wanted her to rub off on me and my kids.  Over the years, I had 6 more children and Angie developed a loving relationship with each one.  She invited them over for crafts and parties, swim dates, bought them birthday gifts every year, and even brought them to their first real concert.

Her simple instructions on trusting God.  Her blog posts were very simple and that is the best way for kids to learn.  I never have and never will know anyone else like Angie.  She was a blessing in my life for 14 years and her testimony will live in my heart until I see her again in eternity.  Her optimism and sense of adventure still spurs me on to want to live life to the fullest.  Her generosity and interest in others encourages me to treat others the way Angie treated them.  And her faith in the face of suffering made her stand out.  I want to live like Angie and I am eternally thankful that God gave me her example to follow.

— Betsy Peters

Come On In, Whose Voice, and Piece Of My Mind

FROM ANGIE’S ARCHIVES

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Come On In

''If you knew Jesus was coming to visit you at your house tonight, would you run to the door to welcome him with open arms, or would you (we) need to rush around to hide some things. What do you have in your home that you (we) would be ashamed for him to find?''

This was a post from my cousin, Gina, on her facebook page and I thought it was a good point to ponder.  Everything we have and own belong to God but would He want to claim it?  Music and movie collections, are they an encouragement to the soul?  Is your home an example of earthly hoarding or an example of humble giving?
It's okay to surround yourself with things you enjoy and make you happy but there are limits to one's greed and self indulgence.  We must give our first fruits to God, not the leftovers.  'In my house, we will serve the Lord.'  It's not just a saying but should be a way of life.

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Saturday, March 10, 2012

WhosE Voice?

We went last night to Verizon arena to see the ventriliquist, Jeff Dunham.  It was a great, funny show, although uncensored- unlike on television.  My favorite puppet is Walter, a grumpy old man who tells it like it is regardless of what others think. Jeff has six main puppets with all different personalities. It was a good night of laughter.

The idea of puppets makes me think about our own voices.  God didn't create us to be puppets so He gave us freewill.  Yet, He is our master. Is your voice being controlled by the Master?  It says in the Bible, we are not defiled by what goes into our mouths but by what comes out of it.  If we each had a mouth filter, how much dirt would yours catch?

Here's a quote I found that makes alot of sense...  'When words reach the tip of your tongue, hold back half of them.'

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Piece of my Mind

Okay so from this caption, we now know what lies ahead for my future.  Giving someone 'peace of mind' is a far cry from giving someone a 'piece of your mind.'  ha

I recently ordered myself a new coffee mug with Maxine on it.  It says 'Everyone is entitled to my opinion.'  lol  I can honestly say I'm an opinionated person but I hope that I am open-minded enough to not totally reject a rebuke without at least giving it some thought.  ''The man who never alters his opinion is like standing water, and breeds reptiles of the mind.''

Pieces of my mind are certainly more apt to fly out of my mouth when under pressure.  You can't relate to this? Yea right.  Sometimes the pieces can fly right back at you and smack you in the forehead.  One time at the airport, the ticket counter person seemed to be going slower than slow.  I slammed my fist down on the counter and said 'YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE US MISS OUR FLIGHT.'  He calmly said, 'ma'am you're flight has been delayed.'  'Oh, okay, good' was all I could humbly say.

We must have a firm foundation of our beliefs that are unwavering but our opinions can often be quickly given without thought or merit.  Sometimes people don't want to know what we think but if they do, they will ask.

A Choice, Decisions, and The Battle of Discouragement

FROM ANGIE’S ARCHIVES

Monday, July 27, 2015

A Choice

It is a choice we all make in our lives, in both fleeting moments and as a lifestyle.  What have you decided on?  Vengeance is mine, says The Lord.  Our sin nature in the flesh wants to retaliate when we feel wronged but the Holy Spirit should guide us in our words and actions.
We should use our bodies to be a light to the world and not to reveal more darkness.  Gentleness is a fruit of the spirit that is in strong demand and short supply in our world today.  

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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Decisions

Are you a good decision maker?  Some decisions need to be thought over with ample time but other decisions need to be made with a quick response.  Often people want to pass the buck and have others decide for them.  I think this can develop into a bad habit.  Some of the most important questions in life are only left for you to decide.

One day I was on my way home after work.  There is about a two mile stretch of interstate between work and my exit to go home. I was headed east-bound when I noticed a tractor-trailer tire was bouncing towards me from the west-bound lanes.  I don't know where it came from but I knew I had to think fast.  I could slow down and maybe it would pass in front of me? But I couldn't go in reverse if need be.  Or I could speed up and pass it before it got to me?  If I speed up and we meet, it'll be quick and over.  I had about 5 seconds to decide how this story would end.  The tire was now in the median.  You would think it would fall over but no, it didn't.  I floored it, as you might expect if you know me very well.  The tire passed behind me somewhere and no other cars got hit either.

The fatal tire will hit each of us someday and we most likely won't see it coming.  Your time is now to make decisions about your life and your eternal destiny.  Don't wait too long!

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Monday, November 9, 2020

The Battle of Discouragement

Psalm 42:1-8

As the deer pants for streams of water,
    so my soul pants for you, my God.
 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When can I go and meet with God?
 My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
    “Where is your God?”
 These things I remember
    as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
    under the protection of the Mighty One[d]
with shouts of joy and praise
    among the festive throng.

 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

 My soul is downcast within me;
    therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
    the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
 Deep calls to deep
    in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
    have swept over me.

 By day the Lord directs his love,
    at night his song is with me—
    a prayer to the God of my life.

Oh if you know me personally, then you know that I have been discouraged in 2020.  Actually, I don't know of anyone who hasn't been discouraged in some way this year.  Discouragement can come from anywhere, but it may be from your health, your job, your friends, the election, the media, the way you're treated, COVID-19, or just the current circumstance that life has you in.  In our times of discouragement, let us remember that God loves us and desires to lead us to a place of a renewed vision of Himself!

"Disappointments will come and go, but discouragement is a response, and we can respond in other ways.  If we understand that God allows disappointments, we can find meaning in trouble.  Confess...'The Father is with me in the pain; He’s in control of my life and has allowed this for a reason; He is a good God, who will not let this disappointment be in vain.'  Discouragement may sound harmless enough, but don’t underestimate its power. By keeping watch, you can avoid its deadly trap" [intouch.org]

“Keep Calm and Carry On.” This message first appeared in Great Britain as World War II began in 1939. British officials printed it on posters designed to offset panic and discouragement during the war.  I have a t-shirt that my friend, Karla, made for me that says, "Keep Calm and Blog On".  She knows that I blog about what's on my heart and I find encouragement through it.

As for myself, the battle of discouragement used to be an easy one for me but now it is not.  I've probably relied to much on myself in the past but now I see that reliance on the Lord is my only hope and path.  I have been in the hallway of waiting so much lately for a new aide and for other things I won't reveal here.  I know God is faithful.  I, also, know that I am impatient.  I will use this blog personally to encourage myself and try to be as patient, as possible.  God has conquered my doubts 100% of the times before, so I will trust Him again and again and continue to pray.

6 Ways to battle discouragement are:  to count your blessings, consider what you take for granted, practice whatever encourages you, give of yourself to others, remind yourself that others are praying for what you have, and read encouraging Scripture.

Understand that discouragement...[intouch.org]:

Is something we choose. While it’s a natural response to difficult circumstances, we have the power to choose a different response. No one else is responsible for our discouragement.

Is universal. At times, everybody will face periods of disappointment and discouragement because we live in a flawed world filled with flawed people.

Can recur. Sometimes we think we’ve settled an issue, which later resurfaces when we least expect it. Or we may have old emotional wounds triggered by something a person says or does.

Can be temporary or lifelong. Refusing to face discouragement head-on can open the door for it to influence our decisions, actions, and relationships as long as we live.

Is conquerable. With the Father’s help, we can get through seasons of discouragement. He wants His children to have a rich and fulfilled life. If we trust in His promises and His character, our feelings of discouragement will slowly be replaced by hope.

Even if you still feel discouraged, remember above all else, God is in control.