“You have tendinitis!”
“Ah”, I respond to my doctor, “that explains my pain and discomfort.”
Two months later…
“Physio hasn’t worked and now we will proceed to the second phase of treatment: injections. And it will hurt and feel even worse in a few hours” warns my Doctor.
It did hurt! And badly!
I have a high pain tolerance and really didn’t expect much pain if any at all. But I am in a world of pain.
As I was in my quiet time with God tonight and reflecting on my day, I thought of pain and how sometimes it comes when you least expect it. In life we all experience some level of pain that leaves us thinking that we just can’t bear anymore pain.
But there are 3 things that have always brought me comfort when the pain has become too much:
1. Read God’s word
There are some amazing promises in God’s word that lifts me up when I am in pain or the storm is so great in my life. But there is one key verse that brings me assurance: “But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”” Matthew 14:27 From this, I hear Jesus telling me:
A. Take courage. Be strong. Have faith.
B. HE is God. Healer, comforter, friend… HE is everything and HE knows exactly what I am going through.
C. Don’t fear. Yes it might be scary but I need to trust HIM and believe that I am in the Master’s capable and skillful hands. Reading my bible daily will give me the courage, strength and trust to face any pain or storm.
2. Pray without ceasing.
Many times in my pain, I have no words to say. I am just groaning. But Romans 8:26 reminds me that “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
At times I am shouting. I need God to hear me. Is he hearing me?
And then I hear the whispering of Psalm 23:1-4
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.”
3. Worship … Never stop worshiping.
The devil hates worshipers. Some of my deepest moments with God has been through tears and praise.
I sing and sing. I shout. I cry. But I continue to praise through my pain.
It is not easy, but I gain strength in my worship remembering that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” 1 John 4:4
Final thoughts and prayer:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
May the God of peace, comfort and love be with you.
Need bible verse