Pain - A Great Teacher

Well, I am still struggling with
this backache.

Tomorrow it will be a week.
I can't believe just how painful
it can be.

Last night I went to my chiropractor
and during the night it hurt so bad.
I came back to bed and could not
bend down to get into the bed.
I stood for a 1/2 hour in the pitch
dark listening to my hubby snore.
Trying and trying to get back into bed.

Once I got into bed I was praying and
talking to the Lord. Crying and
pleading with Him to heal my back.

I had so many plans and fun things I
wanted to do this holiday season.
But I have been spending much of it
in pain on my back.

As I was laying there in the dark I
knew the Lord was teaching me much.
Things I would not learn without this pain.

I decided I had a choice, be angry and bitter
with the Lord or accept from His loving hand
even this...

I made peace with what God's plan is in the pain.
I told Him - even if I have to live with this back
pain everyday for the rest of my life I will still
worship, serve, trust and love you.
You are Lord !

These are the treasures I am learning in this pain:

1) Compassion - I have a co-worker who has
     back problems. She is out of the office a lot.
     When she is out my department has to take on
      her extra workload and we are already way
     over burdened.  So I'm ashamed to say I have
     often been angry and short tempered with her.
     She is often drugged for her pain and I lose
      patience with her.Now I understand what
     back pain means.
     How debilitating it is. You can't function.
     I asked the Lord for forgiveness and promised
    to treat my co-worker and other people I
    encounter with compassion. If she lives
    with this pain in her life my heart breaks for her.





2)  Patience - I am an A type personality.
     I like to do, do, do.  Having this pain.
     I cannot do anything.  I have to wait.
     I have to wait to put my new car mats
     in my car. I have to wait to use my new 
     vacuum.  I have to wait to clean up the
     house from the Christmas festivities.
     I have to wait to take down the tree and
     put away my village.  Waiting is not
     easy for a do, do, do girl.  I am learning
      the world isn't ending because I haven't 
      done the things I so want to do.
     Those things are still there to do when I
     am able.





3)  Accept Help - I am having to ask for help
    and accept help from my hubby and others.
    This is not easy either. I was a single gal
    until I was 47 - I did it all myself.






4)  Wait on the Lord and Trust His plan.
      All the plans I made for this holiday
      season are up in the air.  I don't know
      each day if I will be well enough to
     do any of them.  One day at a time.





5) Making the most of each day.
    I am choosing to enjoy each day
    even in the pain. To enjoy the things
    I am able to do.  Relax, read, computer
   for as long as I can stand to sit, TV.
Choose Joy !















 

 

 6) Handle Disappointment
    Learning to handle the disappointment
    with my plans not happening.
    Smiling and making new plans with
     what I have in each day as it comes.



7) Accept my limitations
    I feel very responsible at work.
    We are a team of 3 women and when
    one is out it is so so hard.  This week
    we had one out.  I have been going
    into work in such pain. The days
     are very hard.   Today I just could
    not make it in.  I had to call out
     and leave my co-worker to handle
    it alone.  This was not easy.
    Not easy to accept that I could not
    push myself to go to work.

   


I love this devotional - it so encourages me . . .

"This Thing is From Me" - Streams in the Desert

“This thing is from me” (1 Kings 12:24). “Life’s disappointments are veiled love’s appointments.” –Rev. C. A. Fox My child, I have a message for you today; let me whisper it in your ear, that it may gild with glory any storm clouds which may arise, and smooth the rough places upon which you may have to tread. It is short, only five words, but let them sink into your inmost soul; use them as a pillow upon which to rest your weary head. This thing is from Me. Have you ever thought of it, that all that concerns you concerns Me too? For, “he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye” (Zech. 2:8). You are very precious in My sight. (Isa. 43:4) Therefore, it is My special delight to educate you. I would have you learn when temptations assail you, and the “enemy comes in like a flood,” that this thing is from Me, that your weakness needs My might, and your safety lies in letting Me fight for you. Are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not understand you, who never consult your taste, who put you in the background? This thing is from Me. I am the God of circumstances. Thou camest not to thy place by accident, it is the very place God meant for thee. Have you not asked to be made humble? See then, I have placed you in the very school where this lesson is taught; your surroundings and companions are only working out My will. Are you in money difficulties? Is it hard to make both ends meet? This thing is from Me, for I am your purse-bearer and would have you draw from and depend upon Me. My supplies are limitless (Phil.4:19). I would have you prove my promises. Let it not be said of you, “In this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God” (Deut. 1:32). Are you passing through a night of sorrow? This thing is from Me. I am the Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief. I have let earthly comforters fail you, that by turning to Me you may obtain everlasting consolation (2 Thess. 2:16, 17). Have you longed to do some great work for Me and instead have been laid aside on a bed of pain and weakness? This thing is from Me. I could not get your attention in your busy days and I want to teach you some of my deepest lessons. “They also serve who only stand and wait.” Some of My greatest workers are those shut out from active service, that they may learn to wield the weapon of all–prayer. This day I place in your hand this pot of holy oil. Make use of it free, my child. Let every circumstance that arises, every word that pains you, every interruption that would make you impatient, every revelation of your weakness be anointed with it. The sting will go as you learn to see Me in all things. –Laura A. Barter Snow “‘This is from Me,’ the Saviour said, As bending low He kissed my brow, ‘For One who loves you thus has led. Just rest in Me, be patient now, Your Father knows you have need of this, Tho’, why perchance you cannot see. Grieve not for things you’ve seemed to miss. The thing I send is best for thee.’ “Then, looking through my tears, I plead, ‘Dear Lord, forgive, I did not know, ‘Twill not be hard since Thou dost tread, Each path before me here below. And for my good this thing must be, His grace sufficient for each test. So still I’ll sing, “Whatever be God’s way for me is always best.”‘”

Abundant Blessings,
Maryellen