From Struggle To Strength
I’m finally home after a very tough physical day. However, I’m so much better now compared to how my day started. After several days of over stimulation I decided to turn my spinal cord stimulator completely off. This time instead of it just being off 5 hours. I decided to try at least 12 hours. Well, I turned the unit off Saturday night at 9pm. Then, around 1:30 am on Sunday morning I was drastically awoken from pain consuming me at the highest level.
If I ever wondered if my stimulator helped much. I don’t have to wonder anymore. After just 4 1/2 hours off every ounce of pain I ever had returned. I was half asleep and crazy after being so shocked by the pain. I can’t think of one part of my body that wasn’t aching intensely as I just sought to catch my breath. Once I realized what was happening I quickly turned my stimulator back on.
I can promise you this my friends. I will never turn my spinal cord stimulator fully off again. I may turn it down but never off completely. Every nerve in my body still feels like they were fried. My legs have barely been at 30-35% level strength all day. I feel like I’m just having to drag my feet when I walk.
Fortunately, my stimulator appears to be putting things back in order hour by hour. I’ve got things set a few notches lower than before. My overall nerves have settled quite a bit. Now, my body is simply recovering from a nightmare experience. I fully believe God allowed this week’s struggles so that I could be sure of my source of strength. Otherwise, I couldn’t have preached boldly this morning’s message called “Where Strength Is Found.”
(2 Corinthians 12:8-10) Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Pastor Craig Crosby 