Misery or Blessing by Robin Densmore Fuson

 

My view from inside the hot tub

Pain. Pain is a signal telling us something is wrong in our body. Unless someone has a rare condition, everyone will experience it in their lifetime. Pain can be temporary or chronic. It can be localized or scattered and moving.

Some people experience pain and can find relief through numerous means, but in others, no matter what they do, it is always present. Pain can debilitate. Pain screams for attention. Pain takes over focus.

It is a blessing when it warns, prevents disaster, or indicates a condition needing addressing. Unfortunately, pain can be a deceptive phantom.

In most cases, Fibromyalgia and other autoimmune diseases show all the above descriptions.

You may say, take a pill. There are wonderful pain relievers out there. But for some, side effects prevent them from taking anything. I am one of those rare individuals who is sensitive to a legion of pain inhibitors.

Fibromyalgia is the title of the particular autoimmune disease that rages through my body. Sometimes it is only a pesky annoyance but at other times it is a villainous, fire-breathing dragon with sharp teeth. It manifests itself through nerves. Nerves become alert and pain is heightened. Any nerve will do for the culprit.

It is like watching a suspenseful movie where the evil person acts kind one minute but suddenly attacks in the next. The unsuspecting person doesn’t see it coming until the assault bombards the victim.

Sufferers of pain face a choice. Cave—and let the monster win—or fight—to live and keep going?

Praying for strength to get up, dress, and do basic tasks should be my first response. When I focus on Him, the Lord always helps me on this pain driven journey. Sometime the simple plea, “Help,” is all I can muster. He understands. Jesus felt excruciating physical pain during His beatings and crucifixion. He agonized in the garden, knowing what He would face. Remember, Jesus is one hundred percent God and one hundred percent human. He endured all the suffering the same as you and I would.

Praise the Lord, He understands! He felt everything I feel. His nerves screamed from the terrible pain. He didn’t get a pass because He is God. He endured everything so He could understand what we all go through.

In those times of distress, I reach out to Him and express my suffering. He is always listening to my prayers. My tears are close to escaping and my heart cries out to Him—His love and peace flow freely. Jesus is a breath away, awaiting any of us to ask.

Miraculous strength encourages me to rise and do the things needed. I don’t let pain rob me of engaging in life. I go places. I didn’t give up my passions of teaching Bible studies and stepping up for speaking engagements. Pain and misery will not stop me with even less stressful things as attending church or sitting at the computer to write this. I obey the voice of God’s calling on my life and He gives me the ability and strength.

Besides prayer, I read the Bible and listen to it all through the night. Often, I utilize things that help—hot tub or bath, heating pad, and stretching. One gift from the Lord is my husband, who helps, encourages, and prays for me. The best thing to do is put my pain into perspective and focus on my vast blessings, which outweigh the pain. Also, to thank the Lord for what I’ve learned because of and through the pain.

We all endure some sort of pain, not necessarily physical. Loss, brokenness, anxiety, rejection, and all sorts of trouble can come upon us. If we’re not careful, and we let it, pain of any sort can take over our lives.  

What do you do when you experience brokenness, trouble, rejection, loss, anxiety, or any kind of pain?

 

My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees (Psalm 119:71 nlt).

If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery (Psalm119:92 nlt).

Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles (Psalm 119:50 nlt).