Living With Pain: Trusting God

My Fellow-Sojourners in the War to Defeat Sin, Satan and Physical Pain:

I was playing hooking from church this past Sunday, as I have been experiencing "severe" pain for several straight days (which is not in any way unusual). The pain was that kind that stared straight into my eyes, and laughed at my attempt to quash it with morphine. In fact, there are times that the spirit of severe pain, not only laughs-out-loud, but, yells: "You foolish mortal."

If you don't mind, I'd like to explain and compare my pain to my fellowship with Jesus. Just when I think I've obtained that illusive pinnacle of spiritual growth and standing in His Kingdom on earth, He (God) quickly quashes my spiritual pride which humbles me where I stand. This humbling experience sends me running back to the Bible and kicking down the throttle of revival like prayer.Well this is how pain is...just when I think I've experienced the very worst possible pain, the spirit of suffering comes rushing back at me; gets into my face: and as we look deep into each others eyes, it becomes abundantly clear that this new round of neurological pain is simply another front in the battle to survive. It is at that percise moment that I realize there is so much more (pain) in store for me in the days to come.

This type of physical pain and suffering truly tests my faith, and candidly speaking, it humbles me and tends to shake the dead leaves of the limbs of my tree of faith. Remember, this tree of faith is a tree that flourishes with faith and hope. However, physical set backs make it abundantly clear that the renewed spirit of pain and suffering has once again shown me that the best is yet to come....and this is the only answer I have for the raging pain that comes back after two or three days of respite.

Unfortunately, I have resigned myself to living with pain...because everything else I've tried, which includes: faith healers; prayers of recognised prophets and pastors; and anointing with oil. the truth is, I can't even tell you how many times I've been anointed and prayed over, but, let's just say this: I've had so much oil placed on the forehead, the top of head, and other points of my body, that I shouldn't have buy oil for my car again.

Don't get me wrong. I remain strong even though the intensity of the pain grows, and like Paul, I will not let this thorn keep me from the work of the Gospel...And just like the Apostle Paul, I have resigned myself to simply ask God for His grace to sustain me through the worst of it, while I give Him praise for those small times of respite and remission.

Still, life isn't fair, but, God did promise that He'd not test any of us beyond our limits, and I believe this with all my heart. Over the years, I've learned to remind Him, when the pain rages out of control like a wildfire being blown by the wind, that the test/pain feels like it's reached that point where you promised to not allow it to breach. This allows me to testify that when I remind Him of this promise He does relieve the pain, making it more tolerable.

Praise the Lord, Selah !! Jehovah Rapha, my God the Healer...never fails, even though He has chosen to not remove (heal) this thorn.So, my fellow believers in Jesus, when it comes to pain, the best is yet to come...because each day brings me closer to the portals of death; and those portals will lead me into a land of eternal peace. That portal will lead me to a place where God gives me a glorified body; a body that will know no pain, heartache, or fear. I'm pretty confident that there will be no pain in heaven, and it is that confidence that keeps me moving forward.

Selah and Shalom,