This is a quote I want to be so attentive to. Sometimes it isn't the obvious, spoken battles, that are the toughest. But the unspoken.
Not everyone I brush arms with would know the pain that I walk with daily. I have Fibromyalgia, R.A. and osteo-arthritis.
Simple things such as putting on makeup can be painful and slow going. That doesn't mean I stop trying, or stop moving, but it does mean that I have to listen to my body somedays. Somedays my body flat out tells me what to do! That can be frustrating for someone like me who is creative and loves to go and do!
This is something that takes a lot of courage for me to talk about publicly too.
Even though I do have symptoms that flare up, I daily trust God for my healing. "There is a reason and purpose for everything under heaven" as it says in Ecclesiastes. I believe God has healed me, but it is His way, not mine.
This is part of the reason why it is difficult to get unpacked here at our new location as quickly. Since my husband and I moved most of the furniture and containers ourselves, it took a tole on my body.
When I over do, I have pain in my bones, joints and muscles that is tremendous. This causes my migraines because I am dealing with the pain.
Overall my tolerance for pain is pretty high, therefore I tend to push myself too much.
My rheumatologist can not believe that I function without pain medication. I have to give God the glory for this. Pain medication causes other issues with my sleep getting off kilter, which makes the condition worse for me. So I do a lot of praying, and God is my daily dose of strength.
Psalm 46:1 1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
One thing I have to confess; I struggle with getting very frustrated (annoyed) with others who have never known this kind of pain, yet proceed to act as if they are the expert on it...
No one can fully know someone, only Jesus can! Even my husband who lives with me, even he will admit he cannot understand my pain. Same for me toward others...I can't truly understand someone elses pain either. So who am I to judge them or minimize theirs.
Some "healthy" people have said to me, "Well, it isn't cancer!". No, it isn't. Yet, it is a very real thing that I deal with daily, that they don't! I mean...how cruel!!! I've even had someone say to me about my daughter's scoliosis surgery..."well, it isn't cancer"...in a rude way that she should just get over her feelings! She is 12, and she is anxious about it! I am not going to minimize her feelings or pain.
I tend to NOT think about my pain most days, until it stops me in my tracks.
Right now, I've so got my mind on my daughter, who will be facing scoliosis surgery in Jan. She is such a sweetheart and so giving to others. She enjoys being a servant! Now, it is our turn to serve her. It won't be easy for her, because she would rather give than receive. She is not comfortable with others doing for her. She likes to do for herself. I remind her that sometimes we need to allow the other person the blessing of giving too. =) We are trusting God for her complete healing...again, it will be God's way and not our way. =)
This morning a few verses came to my mind as I was getting ready for the day:
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Also, reminding myself this day, to think of others and be concerned for their needs. To truly be concerned for them, not just in word, but in action.
The biggest blessing to us is when people actually followed through with lending a hand during our move. Also, that people expressed prayers even if they couldn't be with us to help. What impressed us...People from a local church here, in whom we had never even met or attended their church, came to our rescue the last day of our move. It was touching! The pastor himself was helping lift our heaviest furniture. Also, that same church brought us three meals during the week that we moved here. Wow!
These folks are truly living this verse:
Philippians 2:4 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Let us find someone today we can reach out to, in sisterly or brotherly love in Christ Jesus.
Here is a beautiful photo that my Jordan took. She is so creative and talented! So is my bub, he makes movies and is so creative with that too! I'll post one of those for you soon.
6 comments:
Thank you so much for sharing that Jenn. Sometimes it can be hard to understand someone else's pain until you go through something yourself. Then it becomes all too real. I pray that you will find some relief today.
Oh my goodness Jenn, I also have fibromyalgia so this post really spoke to me! I also am determined to not take medication, so I just painfully trudge along!
It is very hard when I am hurting so very bad and I feel like nobody understands. Thank you so much for sharing and I am believing our Heavenly Father for complete healing for the both of us! :)
That quote you first mentioned at the top...it's so true. I mean, I had NO clue that you were struggling with all that until today...but that shouldn't stop me from being kind, compassionate, caring etc. :) Thanks for sharing that and now both you and Jordan will be in my prayers!
Thank you all for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. =)
Rebecca, I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayer with your Fibro. I'm here for you if you ever need a friend to talk with about how you are feeling.
Blessings to you all in Christ's amazing love!
Thank you for sharing this! I had no idea. I love your attitude towards your conditions. You are such a strong person.
Thank you Wendy for your thoughts and sweet comments. God is truly my ever present help! Don't know what I would do without Him in my life...
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