Finding Comfort In Pain
I understand my body is broken. I remember the doctor saying nearly 5 years ago words I never cared to hear. He said, “no matter what anyone tells you this can’t be fixed. Trust me, you have permanent nerve damage.” I wish I could say that doctor was dead wrong. However, my body keeps confirming he was telling the truth. Still it’s often a message I refuse to accept fully into my mind and heart.
This past week my nerve pain flared back up to a high level. My surgical spot has been aching often. From my legs all the way into my face I feel a sharpe, shooting sensation. It’s been much harder to ignore how sick and nauseous it makes me feel. I don’t like to write about it much anymore because I try not to feed it. Sometimes you do better putting your mind over the matter. Yet, sometimes God allows the pain so you have something to share in common with others.
Now, I will never say this pain makes my life enjoyable. Especially when it often makes anything I pursue so much harder. I have to live a constant recovery lifestyle with this thorn in my flesh. I never know when it’s going to take me down. I’m still learning to ride this roller coaster of ups and downs. Sadly, just about every emotion possible is associated with this painful mess.
Right now my pain has humbled me once again. It’s put me back on my knees realizing my desperate need for God’s help. I’m sure I thought once again that I had everything under control. God had to allow me to fall back down so through me He could be lifted up.
While my flesh tells me these days are just miserable. My faith tells me these days are most meaningful. I realize most of my spiritual growth was birthed through painful yesterday’s. I’m certain God is still using my pain today.
Don’t see your pain as only a barrier. See your pain as something God wants to use as a platform to display His greatness. In fact, it’s through your pain that you find God’s true comfort. And, then you actually have comfort to share with others.
“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.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Pastor Craig Crosby 