“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

How would you console a child who got the smallest brownie?

Surely not by saying, “Don’t be sad. Less is more.”

Like me, are you doing less because of your illness or pain? Would it comfort you if someone said, “Don’t be sad! Less is more!”?

While others savor their big piece of life, we’re left with a small slice.

Or are we?

It might help to consider the “more” times in our lives, and the “less” times.

During the “more” times, you probably accomplished a lot. Life was big. Goals were met. You helped many people. You were a doer. That’s what you miss most.

In your time of “less” your world has shrunken. Now people are helping you.

I consider, what have I lost because of my MS? I teach less and I feel I have less of an impact.

What have I gained? I’ve gained more rest. I have more time with my family and friends, more time for a writing ministry, and best of all–more of an understanding of God’s love for me.

So I guess my less is more.

Here’s God’s outward less and inward more:

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17).

God transforms our “less” into His “more.” A waterfall of thanksgiving results!

Paul understood how “less” becomes “more”: “All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:15).

God’s “more” helps us in our “less.” His waterfall of grace leads to our praise.

“The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:14).

Prayer: Dear Father, Help me not skim over familiar verses like 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Remind me each day that the less strength I have, the more Yours will carry me through. In my physical weakness, You give me strength needed for the tasks ahead. In my emotional weakness, You restore hope and fill me with Your peace. When others see me, I don’t want them just to see my illness. I want them to see less of me and more of You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

About the Author:
Vicki understands special needs as a patient, parent, and professor. She has had multiple sclerosis since 1993. Her 33-year-old-son was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. She’s taught special education as a teacher, administrator, and adjunct professor. Through her blog, she reaches out to other mothers of children with mental illness. http://mentalillnessmom2mom.net/

Vicki wrote a picture book about bullying: Heart Eyes: Beth and the Bullies. You can find out more about that book by visiting her Heart Eyes website: http://www.hearteyes.net

Have you had an experience where you saw God using your “less” for His “more”?

“And God said, ‘Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.’ So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. God called the vault ‘sky.’ And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

And God said, ‘Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.’ And it was so. And God said, ‘Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.’ So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. God called the vault ‘sky.’ And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day” (Genesis 1:6-9).

I stood above a mountain of sand, looking out at the view. It was as if I could see forever–miles of homes and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. It was an easy reminder of the beauty that God has created.

We were in the Outer Banks of North Carolina enjoying a week at the ocean during Easter. It was a beautiful location for a week of relaxation; time with our family before the rush of end-of-school activities begins. As my daughter prepares for high school graduation and then college, my husband and boys are finishing up their school year and looking forward to a relaxed summer.

I walked the ocean each day and prayed. I really could not think of a better place to thank God for our beautiful environment; our family and friends. I thanked Him for another day, and for allowing me time to relax.

I find the ocean so calming and beautiful. Even on days in which I felt exhausted the ocean provided respite.

For my kids, they learned I am somewhat athletic. I played a tiny amount of tennis with my crew; showing the kids I can actually serve and volley. “Mom I did not know you were athletic,” said my youngest. There was no need to tell him I needed to stop early as watching the ball was causing dizziness.

We had many adventures on the trip, including a visit to the local emergency room for my daughter’s bad case of strep throat. I took her then rested.

I needed to rest a lot on the trip and my husband helped by doing day trips and dinners out. I had to choose what I could do. I scheduled one complete day at the beginning of the trip to recover from traveling. I am saddened sometimes that I miss activities, but I would rather do some, than not try at all.

And once home, it seemed as if I slept a solid week. It was worth the physical pains to make memories with my family. And I thank God for such an opportunity.

Prayer: Dear Lord, as we reflect on the beautiful meaning of the seasons, allow us to continue to embrace this life and the love You provide us. Amen.

About the author:
Laura Seil Ruszczyk lives in New York with her husband of 27 years and three children. She is a retired elementary school counselor who currently runs a HopeKeepers group at her church. She has dysautonomia, the deregulation of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls such invisible functions as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and temperature regulation.

How do you make modifications in life so you can participate? Do you ever grow sad because it feels like there are enough enough accommodations you can make in order to participate, travel–live the life you imagined?

“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord'” (Luke 1:46, NIV)
And Mary said: ‘My soul magnifies the Lord'” (Luke 1:46, ESV).

About 15 months ago my husband was laid off of his job of nearly 20 years. I had just recently begun to homeschool our son and suddenly the daily routines of life were chaotic again. Now? One thing we know for certain is that we don’t know anything for certain. And our plans are now to “not make any plans.” It has been a year of incredible stress–and some joys as well. It has been a time for grief–and also unexpected celebrations and surprises of provision.

When we began this journey it was important to me to not allow the struggle to define me. At times I wonder if I am in denial and should be more worried about the realities of financial woes, loss or change of health insurance, etc. Is it that I trust God or I am just too exhausted to think that much?

With social media we can so easily post whatever feeling at the moment–forgetting that perhaps it doesn’t glorify or magnify the Lord. We can easily get caught up in the trend of being “authentic” and later see it was our sinful human nature that made us post something that didn’t magnify God in our life. So sometimes–when I am just too emotionally wiped out to filter my own attitude–I withdraw from it.

We don’t need to hide our struggle, because therein lies our testimony of God working through the trial. If no one knows our realities, they do not see how God pieces together all the chaos and makes His masterpiece. And yet, as we list the justification we have to feel a certain way or snap at someone we love, God doesn’t give us extra credit for being “real.” He still wants us to reflect Him–or at least strive to.

Rather than fulfilling our need for affirmation and understanding through Facebook friends, He wants us to come to Him first. Our life can quickly become defined by a collection of how we reacted to the tough days. We always magnify something. I struggle enough to not be known as “the mom who was always tired” or the “wife who gasped every time her knee slipped backwards.” I can’t control it all, but I can do my best to let my attitude reflect who my God is.

About the author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and the woman behind posting devotionals. She hasn’t been purposely being casual about them but rather In the last few months she has had foot surgery and fought off a post-surgery infection. She The website is having issues, she has major spam taking over her in-box and basically feels like she is in a bit of a Bermuda Triangle of tech issues.

Between what she is juggling health-wise, as well as tech stuff, she regrets they have not consistently been 5 days a week. In the last year her illness has moved into a new level of disability, accompanied by fatigue and pain that is different than she has experienced before. She is also homeschooling and assisting her husband with their new jewelry business as much as she can. She thanks you for the mercy you give her and the prayers.

When you consider your life, what is it right now, in this season you are magnifying? It is something you have worked on, or something you need to work on?

“Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to Him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).

What you think, what you believe–it matters. When the world comes crashing down on you, and everything possible goes wrong, the core of your beliefs will rise to the surface.

What you think about life, about death, about yourself and others will shape your actions and reactions throughout your life. If you have a life built upon the foundation of Jesus then no matter what comes your way, nothing can ultimately defeat you, not even death.

For those who do not believe in Jesus, there is no promise to cling to. There is no hope to look forward to when life gives you its worst. Who will pick you up when life knocks you down? What can carry you if you have no core foundation of belief that there is more to life than suffering and death?

I have been through the dark night of the soul, with the barking dog of depression at my heels. The enemy of my soul shouting into my mind that there was no hope, only death awaiting me, endless darkness my lot. Yet God sent His word and delivered me from darkness.

Who would I believe? God or satan?

“I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done” (Psalm 118:17).

When my enemy threw his worst at me, he did not succeed because I was clinging to God’s best. Hope in Jesus can turn the darkest night into day, it can change circumstances from despair to delight.

There is no hope for anyone other than Jesus. There are not many paths, but there is one road: Jesus.

What you believe can be a matter of life or death. And Who you believe in can give you hope even when at the door of death. For those who believe, we have a Savior who overcame death, and can provide for our needs throughout our lives.

Prayer: Dear Lord, our hope and faith is in You. Help us to keep that faith through the good times and bad.

About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. He has believed in Jesus from a young age, and Jesus has been his hope and deliverer more times than he can count.

What holds you together through tough times? Have you asked Jesus to become the anchor for your soul, the hope of your life?

“Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2).

I was running a HopeKeeper’s meeting and one member responded to what I said with “You sound like you know God and talk with Him.”

“I do talk to Him,” I said, “and so can you.”

I talk to God when I wake up and thank Him for another day. I talk to Him when I say standard prayers I have known for 40-plus years. I talk to Him when I take inventory of the day just lived, thanking Him and asking for guidance. And, of course, I talk with Him while asking, sometimes pleading, for assistance.

And the remarkable thing is pre-2010 I did not have this relationship with our Savior. Sure, I went to church on Sundays and prayed, mostly before meals or when crises hit. Actual conversations, however, were rare.

In late 2010, early 2011, I developed a different relationship, a deeper one, with God.

First, I was angry with Him for causing my illness–which I now know is a ridiculous accusation. I slowly quieted myself and calmed down and discovered the most amazing fact–God did not cause any of this, and He has supported me throughout.

If I would just slow down, sit and listen I could hear Him. And this fact is comforting.

A dear friend once told me of how she calls on God during stressful medical situations. She visualizes God holding her in His arms; as a father would hold his child. What an amazing idea to ponder the next time you face a medical scare. God has us all in His arms, even when we have no idea of this.

We must persevere and try to live our best life; the life that God would want for us.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to find time daily to pray to You and to listen. For we know that all things are better with You by our side. Amen.

About the author:
Laura Seil Ruszczyk lives in New York with her husband of 27 years and her three children. She is a retired elementary school counselor who currently runs a HopeKeepers group at her church. She has dysautonomia, the deregulation of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls such invisible functions as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and temperature regulation.

When do you pray?