NOT A FAN OF PAIN

Nope.

I am a pain wimp.

Last week I had gum surgery.

I was so nervous that I had "The Hub" come into the room with me.

At some point, trying to be encouraging, he said to me, "Just think of it like a vacation."

To which I retorted, "Perhaps a vacation to Death Valley in the middle of the summer, with no water, and a cactus to sleep on."

Later, he also asked if it was possible to put some Novocain into my head so I wouldn't think and worry so much.

To which I (jokingly?!) replied, "I changed my mind.  You can leave the room now."

How I appreciate "The Hub" – he always finds a way to make me laugh in a tough situation!


Let me tell you, the whole procedure was nothing like I expected.  It took a long time, it was very uncomfortable (even with the fun pain-killing shots), and there was so much tugging and pulling and grinding.  A lot of pressure was applied to my teeth and gums – which I realized was a LOT of pressure when the dental assistant placed her hand under my chin and pushed it up to counteract what the dentist was doing.

I kept my eyes closed the entire time.

When it was (finally) over, I breathed the biggest sigh of relief.

So, I'm four days into recovery.  

For the next two weeks, I can only eat soft food, and only chew on one side of my mouth.  Which requires a lot of mental concentration, and an inordinate amount of time to eat, as it's such a habit to chew on BOTH sides. And my mouth doesn't open very wide.  (Maybe I'll lose some weight??)  

Pain, yes, but thankfully it's manageable with some ibuprofen.


But, I tell you what, the whole experience has me thinking about pain.

I know many of your stories out there in Blog Land, and I know that many of you are physically suffering.  Some of you are dealing with chronic pain and life-sapping conditions that refuse to go away.  Some of you are fighting cancer or another debilitating disease.

Some of you are going through painful emotional loss – either through grieving the death of a loved one, or the awful ache of a prodigal child, or the despair of a broken marriage.

Some of you struggle with the agony of unremitting anxiety, or the dark cloud of depression, or some sort of other daunting mental struggle. 

Pain – it takes such a toll.

And, for the believer, there is additional pain – that terrible underlying thought that crosses every honest mind:

"Why does God allow suffering?"

It's a question that's been asked since man was cast out of the Garden.  And it will be asked until all things are made new.  It is a mighty stumbling block for those who do not believe in our Savior.

But it trips us up, too.

I have no real answer – I struggle with it.

I've thrown that question – WHY? – at heaven on more than one occasion.

Haven't you?

But, have you ever thought of pain being a protective mechanism?


Many years ago, I read a wonderful book on this issue of suffering – Philip Yancey's "Where Is God When It Hurts?"

I was particularly impressed with the beginning, when Yancey discusses his time spent with Dr. Paul Brand.

Dr. Brand was a great medical missionary.  And most of his work was concentrated on helping people plagued with leprosy.  He was the first physician to understand that the disease of leprosy did not actually cause the rotting away of tissues.  Rather, he discovered that it was the loss of the sensation of pain that made sufferers susceptible to injury.

He once said,  "If I had the power to eliminate human pain, I would not exercise that right.  Pain's value is too great."

(Dr. Brand also co-authored with Yancey, "Pain: The Gift Nobody Wants" (1993), republished in 1997 as "The Gift of Pain.")


I remember how I used to think that God banishing Adam and Eve from Eden was cruel, mean, heartless – that it was a great punishment.  It took me a long time to finally understand that it was, instead, salvation.

Pain is a sign of God's love. 

(Yes, even as I write that, I am cringing.  It sounds wrong.  But I believe that it is the toughest and best kind of Truth).

You see, pain tells us something is wrong.

C.S. Lewis, in his great treatise on the issue of suffering, "The Problem of Pain," says this:

"Pain insists upon being attended to.  God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains.  It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."


Yes, perhaps the toughest lesson of all is this – 

God allows pain to accomplish a greater good.

And one of the *greater goods* is knowing that something is, indeed, wrong in our lives.  And this *wrong* can only be made right by the righteousness of a Savior.

Tough love – but Love still the same.


However, and this is my opinion, I think it's all right to tell Him the truth when we communicate with Him about our pain.

I think it's OK to be angry, or disappointed, or frustrated, or sad, or afraid, or disillusioned, or even crushed and broken.

Recently I was part of a Bible Study that studied the life of David.  And I was particularly moved by the whole passage when Uzzah was killed for touching the Ark.

I know all the "biblically correct" reasons that this happened.

But what I found most interesting was David's reaction.  The Bible states it this way:

"David was angry because the LORD's anger had burst out against Uzzah…David was now afraid of the LORD, and he asked, 'How can I ever bring the Ark of the LORD back into my care?'"  (2 Samuel 6:8-9)


David, who thought he was doing a good thing, and who was praising the Lord for His goodness, stunningly encountered pain.

And he reacted with anger and fear.

But at this moment, David was presented with a choice.  He was at a crossroads in his faith journey.

Would he turn away from, or would he turn toward God?

Would he abandon the Lord, or would he instead abandon his preconceived notions about the issue of suffering?

David had to move beyond devastation.


When we are confronted with blazing pain and suffering, we need to do the same thing.

We need to understand that there is something far more important than having a feel-good life.

God wants us to BE good.

Like His Son.

Who, thankfully, also struggled with pain.

And questioned it…twice.

(I have a feeling that His conversation with God was much longer than this. But Scripture records Him asking twice for God to change His mind.  I love that.  It gives me permission to question, too – more than once!)

"And going a little farther, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will [not what I desire], but as You will and desire'...Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, 'My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.'" 
(Matthew 26:39, 42,  AMP)


Questioning, yes – turning away, no.

Begging for relief, yes – spurning the purpose, no.

Pleading for another way, yes – disobedience, never.


So, in our dearest Savior Jesus we have the example of how to deal with our pain.

I believe we are allowed to not like it, to wrestle against it, to struggle with accepting it.  

I think we are invited to be completely honest with our Creator.  Not disrespectful, but straightforward…

"Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with fullest confidence…" (Hebrews 4:16, PHILLIPS)


Other translations say "boldly approach."

And why can we do that?

Because of Jesus.

The word "therefore" means "for that reason; consequently."

Example – This is true, therefore we can do this other thing.

And the beginning *true* is this:

We have Jesus – our High Priest – who understands it all – who has passed through the worst sort of pain – and entered into glorious reward.

We can follow His humble example through suffering – (not liking one single moment) –  for a greater good – (our transformation) – and one day enter into our eternal reward.


Pain hurts so bad, Lord.

Help us, we pray, through the struggle.

Tools of the Trade 

"Then the LORD God said, 'Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil.  What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it?  Then they will live forever!'  So the LORD God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made." (Genesis 3:22-23, NLT)

But man was only sent to till the ground out of which he was taken.  He was sent to a place of toil, not to a place of torment.  Our first parents were shut out from the privileges of their state of innocency, yet they were not left to despair.  The way to the tree of life was shut.  It was henceforward in vain for him and his to expect righteousness, life, and happiness, by the covenant of works; for the command of that covenant being broken, the curse of it is in full force: we are all undone, if we are judged by that covenant.  God revealed this to Adam, not to drive him to despair, but to quicken him to look for life and happiness in the promised Seed, by whom a new and living way into the holiest is laid open for us." -- (From Matthew Henry's Commentary)

"...he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them." (Isaiah 19:20, NIV)

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11, ESV)

"For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.  Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]." (Hebrews 4:15-16, AMP)

"Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." (Romans 8:17, NIV)

"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:6-7, NIV)

What are you going to do at the crossroads of suffering?

Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, REFLECT LINKUP, WORDS WITH WINTER, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, MOM 2 MOM MONDAY, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, SOLI DEO GLORIA, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, TELL HIS STORY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WISE WOMAN, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THE (NOT JUST) HOMEMAKING PARTY, BELOVED BREWS,  EVERYDAY JESUS, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, HEARTS FOR HOME, UNITE, LOOKING UP LINKUP, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, JOYHOPELIVE LINKUP, SATURDAY SOIREE, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND BREW, TGI SATURDAYS, LIVING PROVERBS, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Rejoice

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!


Today's word: rejoice

How would you define the word rejoice?  Is it different than being happy?

What does it mean to rejoice in the Lord?

How can we rejoice in the middle of suffering, trials, and pain?  (And why do you think it matters?)


Let me know what you think!!


"But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me."  (Psalm 13:5)

"In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name."  (Psalm 33:21)


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

SHARON, CHAPTER FIVE, VERSE 8

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if your life story was a book in the Bible?

I never have, really.  Until I read something today in one of my devotional books.

So, the thought struck me – what if my story was in the Bible?

My initial reaction was, "Heaven forbid!"  (Literally!  LOL…)

You see, my story is a bit *checkered*.

My story includes events that I am terribly embarrassed and ashamed about.  Circumstances in which I often did the unthinkable.  I caved in to temptation, I sinned willingly, I walked a far way away from God.

There are lies and betrayals – big sins and little sins – and often, a woeful lack of faith.  There are weak moments and ugly moments.

Yes, some moments of spiritual soaring.

Some really, really boring parts.

But, in the end, it is a story full of reality.

Just like the Bible.

Hmmm.

And that is what struck me today.

My devotional was talking about the life of Jacob.

And here's what it said:

"As we look at the panorama of Jacob's life…we see again that his story is really about God, not him.  Looming in the background…we see a God who has higher purposes, who works out his plan despite Jacob's insistence on doing it himself…we see God in the shadows before him and surrounding him…reminding Jacob of the promises God still intends to keep…we see God filling in the gaps...

God doesn't need perfect people to do the things he has planned…Each believer is chosen by God [and] nothing can change God's love for us."

(From "Meet the Bible" by Philip Yancey and Brenda Quinn, c. 2000, Zondervan Publishers)


Jacob's story wasn't always very pretty.  He was deceitful and selfish.  He often tried to take matters into his own hands.  He wrestled with God.

And yet, in all of it, God was weaving HIS story.

So…

What is He saying in my story?

Would the book of Sharon be an inspiring story?

Would it be convicting?


So, as I find myself in my 5th decade (chapter) and my 8th year (verse) of that decade (I'm 58 - 5:8 - get it?!) – what is my book saying about God?

Would people read about my childhood, when I loved the Lord as my best friend?

Would they see how I was a good girl, a church-going Christian – involved in so many serving things?

Would they see a marriage and children?

Would they then see the "detour" I took in life?

Would I be pitied, or chastised, or condemned?

Would they turn the page and see the prodigal return to the loving arms of the Father?


Would they see that my story is really HIS story?

Because it is, you know.

A grand story of His faithfulness, His guidance, His love.

Just another installment in the overarching Saga of Mankind.  Another installment in God's epic and exciting story of redemptive Love.

So, I've wondered...

Would I be anything like Job or Abraham or David?

Well, yes.

For I am just another of God's chosen *misfits* – loved by a perfect God.


It would be wonderful if, at the end of the day, my book included something like this:

"In the land of California, there lived a woman whose name was Sharon.  This woman was blameless and upright; she feared God and shunned evil." (original reference, Job 1:1)

"Sharon believed God, and God counted her righteous because of her faith. She was even called the friend of God."  (original reference, James 2:23)

"Sharon, a woman about whom God said, 'I have found Sharon, a woman after my own heart.  She did everything I wanted her to do.'"
(original reference, Acts 13:22)


What if my story was in the Bible?

It would be like every other story in the Bible.  It would be like your story. Because it's about a real person, trying to live real life – full of ups and downs, successes and failures, moments of glory and abject shame – a story in which God is looming in the shadows.

Behind me, beside me, before me.

And this is how I would like it to end:

"And in the end, God welcomed Sharon home.  And as He embraced her, with a twinkle in His eye He said, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'"

Amen.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

If your life was a book in the Bible, what would it say?  How would you like it to end?

Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY

Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY

Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY

Pamela at A SHELTERING TREE

Bonnie at  FAITH BARISTA

Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

SATURDAY STROLL

Welcome to "SATURDAY STROLL!"

In these posts I will be interacting with Scripture – making it a conversational walk of faith.

Sometimes we'll be talking with Jesus, sometimes God will be talking with us.

There might even be *guest appearances* by some of our beloved characters from the Bible!

So put on your walking shoes – you know we can all use the exercise!

Lord, I've been so nervous lately. So tired. So confused.

David said it best:

My God, my God, why have You abandoned me?

Why are You so far away when I groan for help?

Yes, Lord – why do You seem hidden when I need to see You the most?

Every day I call to You, my God, but You do not answer.

Every night You hear my voice, but I find no relief.

Yes, Lord – why do You seem silent when I need to hear You the most?

Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me.

Lord, You are the only One who can save me.

For You are greater than the enemy who is in the world.

My life is poured out like water.

I feel like my energy has drained out of me.

And all my bones are out of joint.

Lord, sometimes I am so worn out that I literally ache.

My heart is like wax, melting within me.

Oh, that sounds just like the worrying fear I have.

The debilitating rush of adrenaline that won't stop.

My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay.

I am weakened by all of this. Shaky, trembly.

My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.

Yes, stress makes my mouth dry.

My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs.

Make that a pack of hyenas, Lord, and you get the picture.

They have pierced my hands and feet.

Wait a second, that sounds familiar.

My enemies stare at me and gloat.

Oh Lord, I hear their taunting. They're taunting…oh my goodness…they are taunting YOU!

They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.

Yes, Lord, it is You! You have entered into my pain with Yours.

Yes, that is what I do best.

I understand your weaknesses because of what I suffered.

I. GET. IT.

Dear Jesus, You have been my God from the moment I was born.

I have.

I will proclaim Your name to everyone.

I will praise You, and honor You.

I will show You reverence.

For You have NOT ignored or belittled my suffering.

You have NOT turned Your back on me.

You have listened to my cries.

Yes, every single one – I am always listening.

And I will never leave you nor forsake you.

You are my Shepherd – You are all that I need.

I AM.

(A dialogue based on verses found in Psalm 22 and 23)

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - Sticks and Stones

Sticks and stones

May break my bones,

But words will never hurt me.

Who ever came up with that one??

It's the silliest thing I've ever heard.

Any of us know that words have the power to injure us deeply – to hurt us where the wounds don't show.

And taunting is a powerful weapon.

I've had times in my life when other people hurt me by giving me unflattering nicknames, by making fun of me, by teasing and poking at my shortcomings.

I'm sure you have, too.

It isn't fun.

It hurts – a lot.

Today I am reminded of something else, though. We are told in God's Word that we do not battle against flesh and blood. That we have a very real, and very fierce, enemy.

Satan – the Accuser.

And he loves taunting the faithful. Nothing delights him more than persecuting God's own children.

He is cruel and conniving and clever and cold-hearted. His words have the power to destroy. He fashions weapons uniquely – tailor-making them for each individual. Honed to evil perfection, he aims those weapons at our weakest spots. And oh, how it hurts when they find their target.

Sometimes I think I can hear him cackle…

It gets discouraging sometimes, doesn't it? Constantly being attacked by someone who hates you so much. His words feel like spiritual sticks and stones – and they break us.

You know what I think his worst words are?

"Where is your God?"

Sometimes the enemy has other people deliver those words, and sometimes he whispers them himself into our very souls.

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" is found in Psalms, and I think it is a rousing answer to that particular taunt:

"So many are saying, 'God will never rescue him!'

But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.

I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy mountain.

I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me.

I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.

Arise, O LORD!

Rescue me, my God!

Slap all my enemies in the face!

Shatter the teeth of the wicked!

Victory comes from you, O LORD.

May you bless your people." (Psalms 3:2-8)

Can I get a holy WOO HOO from my blogging audience?!

I want to break this passage down a bit.

First of all, sometimes the best answer to any taunt from the enemy is these words – But God…

In spite of all the accusations, all the attacks, all the posturing and taunting – there are the simple words – BUT GOD.

Tell me what you may, enemy of mine, BUT GOD has saved me. You may try to enslave me, BUT GOD has broken the power of sin and death in my life. You may try to make me feel guilty, BUT GOD has forgiven and redeemed me. You may try to tell me that I am worthless, BUT GOD loves me.

Second, God is a shield.

From the book of Ephesians, we are told that the shield of God is a powerful defensive weapon: "…hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil." (Ephesians 6:16)

The shield of God – Faith, the unswerving belief in God's Truth – is impenetrable. It surrounds us with protection. Sticks and stones may break our bones, but faith will save our souls.

Third, God is our glory.

We are weak, He is strong. Paul tells us to boast only in what Jesus Christ has done for us. But oh, we can boast on THAT proudly, confidently, hopefully! It is our Savior's gift of salvation, and His promise of life everlasting, that enables us to hold our heads high. We can be proud because we reflect HIS glory.

Fourth, the Lord hears us.

He listens to our cries. He doesn't miss a thing. He hears the loud wails, the silent tears, the grief that's too deep to express. We are given this tremendous promise:

"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle." (Psalms 56:8)

And I believe that one day all those tears will be poured out in Heaven – mixed with the blood of Christ – a final offering that will be swallowed up in the joy of everlasting life –never to be wept again.

Next, God gives us peace.

He never slumbers, He never sleeps. He is watching over us all the time. He hovers over us like parents over the crib of a newborn baby. Ever watchful, ever vigilant, ever our jealous and protective Father.

We are not out of His sight…ever!

Not even when we are surrounded by enemies – not even when we are accused or attacked, not even when we're the victims of persecution. Not even when it's the devil himself posturing and taunting. Rest assured, God sees.

So finally, because of all this, we can do some *trash talking* back to that old enemy of ours – (a sports term for "the art of telling another person off"):

The LORD will arise, my enemy.

My God will rescue me.

He will slap you in the face!

He will shatter your wicked teeth!

Victory comes from Him.

And He WILL bless His people.

Take that, you tired old devil.

God has spoken.

WOO HOO!

How can you claim these verses in your fight against the Accuser?

"When in doubt, search God out!"