Framed by Chronic Pain, but my artwork is beautiful

Looking at chronic pain can be depressing and steals from the real picture God has in store for my life. Living with chronic pain constantly had wore me down until depression and , suicidal thoughts all  in opposition to God word, had taken residency in my mind. Since living with chronic pain, with the constant barraging of pain and the never ending doctor visit, all to no avail, as doctors are unable fix or find the root of my pain. Pain fills every cell, screaming for my full attention unable to fathom living the rest of my life in this pain, nueropathic pain and complex regional pain syndrome drove me to near breaking point. I had to turn it around.

         Yet as a Christian, I still can have  hope in Jesus as my healer. I can imagine having hope in the future again. Even when on days, laying in bed when life seems stolen and mourning of the old life, I lost. Father of lies tells me, how useless and hopeless and I  might as well end it now. These thoughts have raced through my mind many times when it been a struggle to do the normal things like even using the bathroom. I know, I can no longer work a full day, no longer cook a meal or do what my family needs of me, yet the truth is- I am still wonderfully, perfectly made and I still have a wonderful purpose.
           
         Chronic pain is like a painting made of two parts:- the frame and the painting. Chronic pain is the frame which restrict me and restrains what I can able to do. The important part is what is in the picture that is all the great stuff in my life. This is where the artist does all his work. So, using God’s lens let's take a look at what i can see in my pictures.  I have a wonderful friend Jesus who is by my side at every moment , five children, a husband, meals help, house whatever else needs doing by my family. They are so important to me these things I can out on a banner of praise.
         
         Often chronic pain likes to control my thoughts with every moment, each moment when pain is high, has me thinking of my pain, depression, worthlessness, inability to manage, this thought pattern gives the disease power. It a real cross way,  I have a choose  to take the power off it, by turning my thoughts to rejoicing the good in my life.
         
         I can choose to study and draw near to God and find my real value in him. Rather than thinking chronic pain as a curse begin to use this time to drawer near to God and to study his word and begin draw close to him, not like we can go anyway, give pain or God the power, I want God. I choose rejoice and praise him, yes I still have chronic pain. So just for today I draw close to my Heavenly father, and thank him for the wonderful things within my picture. What in your picture frame to be thankful for?