Finding Hope in Psalms for Living With Chronic Pain and IllnessSample

## You Are God’s Masterpiece > The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. —Psalm 138:8 One year in elementary school we made pottery in art class. For a kid, it was tons of fun. Messy, squishy fun. We were allowed to make anything we wanted. Most students, including myself, decided to make a bowl. A few were a bit more adventurous, trying various animals. However, no matter what item was attempted, the result was still the same—nobody’s object looked like they thought it would. And they certainly didn’t look anything like artistic masterpieces. Each piece of pottery had imperfections. Some didn’t sit flat or were lumpy. Others were too skinny or too fat in one spot. Many of the “animals” looked like anything but an animal. Yet the teacher praised all of us. I’m sure the parents felt and responded the same way our teacher did when those misshapen items found their way home. Friend, each one of us is a bit like those pieces of imperfect, misshapen pottery. Our lives can be messy. Ideas may not turn out as hoped for or anticipated. Chronic pain and illness throw our plans off track. Some projects might be altered or left unfinished. However, none of that matters to the Lord. He still has plans for each one of us. God is the Master Artist. He knows we’re still works in progress, and He won’t leave us unfinished. We’re unique. God did that for a reason. He will blend and shape us as He chooses until we are just perfect for His plans. He’ll continue to mold us as long as we’re here on earth. Pain, fatigue, and discouragement can never change that. Your pain and illness are not an accident. And they’re no surprise to God. In fact, those imperfections make us more like Christ. It’s okay to be imperfect and unfinished. God finds beauty in our imperfection. Scars cannot change His plans. We’re still God’s masterpieces. Lord, thank You for using my imperfect life—and my illness—to bring honor and glory to You. Amen.