Pain Shot

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (Romans 5:3-5, NIV.)

As a physical therapist my job is to help folks manage, and ideally, alleviate their pain. Over the years, as I’ve developed trust with the people who come to see me, it has led to my schedule being filled with lots of returning patients. It’s one of my favorite things about my job!

I was recently working with a long-time patient who has dealt with low back pain off and on for years. Despite getting older, she’s vibrant, and active. But, like most of us, she cannot compete with Father Time, and her back pain has become increasingly difficult to manage.

We’d been working together in physical therapy for several months. While she was getting stronger, we both recognized she would benefit from something else to help manage the pain. After taking the necessary steps, she landed at a clinic where she received an injection in her low back for pain relief, a great option to help avoid surgery.

She returned to the clinic the following week for her next PT appointment. We sat together to discuss a few things when she looked at me and said: “I guess I didn’t realize just how much pain I was in.” She reported her pain was immediately alleviated with the shot, and she went home that afternoon and slept for 14 hours!

What a load it is on our bodies to function daily with that level of pain. While I acknowledge, and have witnessed, that many folks do not receive that level of pain relief with an injection, allow me to use this example to make a couple of points.

Just because we’ve done something a certain way for most of our lives that doesn’t mean there isn’t a better way. As a physical therapist, my job is to help create a path to relief from physical pain, even when folks don’t initially even believe it’s possible. After an episode of care when patients are leaving with less pain than they’ve had in a long time, they sometimes tell me: I had no idea this pain could get better.

I remember thinking the very same thing after walking with Jesus along the healing path that leads to relief from the emotional and spiritual pain that holds our hearts, and souls, hostage. Romans 10:9 says: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Living a life with the assurance of salvation, an eternity in heaven received as a free gift based on a proclamation and belief in my heart that Jesus was raised from the dead, has led me to living a life I never thought possible–one filled with joy and peace, despite suffering.

Suffering is inevitable. While the Lord provides many options to manage our pain, and gives us common sense to seek answers in those realms, there are times when the prayers we pray for relief are not answered in the timing or way that we desire.

In those seasons, where suffering is ever present, we can do our best to lean into Romans 5:3-5: Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Maybe you’re in the depths of some of the darkness and most difficult times you’ve ever had to walk through. Or maybe you’re like my patient who got the pain shot, and the Lord has provided a sweet season of symptom relief and rest. Either way, I am praying you know a life with Christ.

If you’ve found yourself in a season of suffering, wandering alone in the wilderness, and you’re curious about a life with Jesus, consider reaching out to someone you know or trust. I’m always open to communication, too! Use my email, thenarrowpath0916@gmail.com, to reach out. I’d love to share more of my story with you, and tell you about the love of the Father that changed my life.

#path #trust #christ #thenarrowpath #romans #jesus #salvation #healing