The past several months have been a challenge for me, physically and mentally. Honestly, this whole year has been a challenge for many of us, in many ways. You may have even whispered, “Yes, it has” to yourself after reading that last statement. We are all dealing with pain, heartache, or loss in some way. For me, personally, this has been a year from hell. My Father passed away in January, COVID hit in March, my husband accidentally ran over and killed our 13-year-old dog, and I’ve spent the past 3 months in physical pain due to a degenerative disc that requires surgery (tomorrow). I’ve learned these past 3 months that physical pain has a way of deeply affecting you, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
I’ve found myself crying more, praying more, sleeping more, and still, the pain remains. I’ve been reflecting on this pain and trying to understand the purpose of it all. I’ve been in pain before...physical (I’ve birthed 3 babies) and emotional (I’ve buried my 18-year-old daughter), and I know God uses ALL things for good (Romans 8:28). But when we are knee-deep in the pain, how can we find purpose and comfort to help us survive the dark days that come with it? I’m not sure I have the answer for that, but I feel compelled to spur myself (and perhaps others) on by discussing the matter.
I’m reminded of Paul and his “thorn”. In 2 Corinthians Chapter 12, he says this:
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ 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.”
Wow. Ok...I have not delighted in my weaknesses. Any of them. If anything, I’ve whined about them continually. I want to be strong, in mind, body & spirit. Alas, I am not. BUT God is! He CAN and WILL turn our mourning into dancing. Our sorrow into joy. Our weakness into strength. I believe that, and I am trusting Him...that there is purpose in the pain. That He will give me grace for the moment, and He will somehow use it for HIS glory in HIS time.
Whatever pain you are dealing with, I pray that you would be reminded that you are not alone and that GOD will use it for good. I’m believing that for me, and you.