TOPIC #1 – PAIN
Listen to this journey, or read below to join in…
As I was limping to my bathroom this morning and wondering, “how much longer will this pain last,” I began a new journey with Jesus.
My Attitude of Gratitude path was laid before me in stones of polished gold. Thank you Jesus.
What do we do when we feel aches and pains? How do we conceptualize pain, what does pain look like, and what is it trying to say? Do you see pain as a language, or a character, or even as the Holy Spirit sent from God?
Friend, have you ever woken up with a bit of a sore throat, like I did today? When this happens, I take medication, I take my temperature, I drink lots of water and I do everything I can to get better. My attitude towards a fever is very different than my attitude was this morning towards my painful swollen heel that makes me limp.
How is my attitude different?
This is the conversation that the Holy Spirit gave me today.
Well, I recognize my fever – it is an indication that my body is sick and that it is fighting something. The fever is honorable, a warrior, a great defence against the terrifying flu or virus that is attempting to send me on a quick trip to heaven. A fever is noble, powerful and familiar. The fever can be controlled, in most circumstances, and quickly too – just a sip from a small plastic cup and poof – goodbye fever.
The pain in my ankle however, that pain is annoying. It is unexpected and gets in the way of my daily routine. It makes me not be able to do my life the way I want to and it looks bad. A swollen ankle – that looks ugly. sigh.
That swollen ankle was the result of a bad decision or an accident that was unintentional and so irritating. The pain in my ankle reminds me that I let myself go? WHAT?!
NO, it wasn’t my fault – if you ask me. I didn’t have time to work out anymore. Time got in my way, yes, that’s it. …And we were just celebrating as a family, so the extra couple of cookies and ice cream, well, that was only occasional…the extra pounds will be easy to rid my body of…but, if I’m honest, that was a couple of years ago that they attached themselves to my hips…oh well. I have all new larger sized clothes now, it would be too expensive to buy smaller sizes…
“Do you see Pain?” Oh, I see you now, you are actually here. “Yes, well good, this will be easier now that I can see you for who you really are… Please sit down, you look uncomfortable, would you like some coffee too? Mine has actually gone cold…I could get you some.”
“No, thank you,” Pain replies. “It’s actually one of the reasons why I am here to talk to you, daughter.”
My disgusted face reveals the disgusted emotions that erupt from my mouth, “You are here to tell me that it is better for me to work out and take care of my body and I don’t really appreciate you right now. You are convicting me. I don’t like your snarky talk when I wake up. It’s irritating to me that you are there every morning when I try to get out of bed.”
I spew all of this nonsense with my arms crossed. I won’t look at Pain in the eyes either, I know it’s best to fear him, but my haughty ego is not scared to put him in his place either. I’m not scared of anything, you see, and I’m very stupid when it comes to conversations with those my Creator sends me. I say “no” right away, like a very idiotic child.
Pain replies, “I was sent by God.”
“Oh, I see…I’m sorry, I’m listening now,” I reply very humbly.
Pain smiled and continued his explanation, “You are not doing this life the way you should. In order to be pain free, you need to care for your body. The fuel you are ingesting is causing your organs to work overtime to process, that takes away your ability to fight off other things, you are overworking your systems and it needs to stop. Give your body a break. See what will happen if you do this.”
“So a break will help me? Okay, I’m listening, is there more? I would like to do everything I can and please help me so that you can be on vacation too.” I smile as I think about pain being on vacation – He is probably tired of his work and want a break too, also relieved that I finally know why he came to me so long ago.
“Yes,” Pain continued, “you must also exercise to get your muscles and bones strong and healthy again. Minor tweaks in your body will happen and you won’t even notice them if you are taking care of yourself. When you keep your body strong everything works together in sympatico. It is essential to work out all things for the good by seeking Jesus first, don’t you see, that was your first step towards this whole conversation. You were seeking Jesus first.”
How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep— So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man. Proverbs 6:9-11
“Being lazy,” Pain continued, “is against how our Creator God designed us to be. We must be diligent to stay strong and not be lazy, incorporate exercising into your required daily tasks, don’t treat it as a byproduct of an extra portion of your day, just like you prioritize your Bible reading each morning, do exercising of your physical body too. You will strengthen your body, soul and spirit at the same time.”
“I am so proud of your growth lately,” Pain complimented me and my tense shoulders started to relax. “I can see your thoughts and the intents of your heart. I am not here to make your life terrible or to bring you down, and you can see that now. We are friends, you and I, and you are understanding more fully how God has designed life. He communicates His great love for you in ways you can see and understand. He talks to us in a way that is unique and special, so that we will see HIS great love for us as a wonderful Daddy. You are growing child, and you are so special.”
“When you are doing things in life your own way and He needs to intervene to remind you that you are just a child and you are not being obedient, He sends situations like me, Pain, to remind you that you NEED Him. You are nothing good without HIM. Amen.”
“Wow,” I reply. “Wow. Thank you Pain.”
Pain and I embrace in a warm and friendly hug. My eyes sparkle with tears of thankfulness and spiritual growth, “Now, when I see you again, we can chat, you can let me know what I have been doing wrong. I am sure I will stumble again, seeing that sin nature is something I will struggle with until I meet Jesus one day. I know I will not see you there, Pain, but I pray you will have a perfect body too, in Heaven, that God will transform you too, just like He is transforming me each day.”
“Child, your kind words are so appreciated,” Pain replied. “Many people curse me, hate me and blame me for everything. Your Attitude of Gratitude has changed things for the good. You are not hopeless like you were before, this new friendship has changed so many things. Thank you for allowing this new vision. Please share it with friends, family and everyone you know. It is valuable to change perspective and to know that God is in everything, you just have to have eyes that can see and ears that can hear.”
And with that, pain was gone. The pain changed in that instant. It became love. Generous and deep love. Oh, taste and see that God is good. Blessed are those who trust in HIM.
Do you believe me? Can you read this and hear Pain too? Pray about it, Friend. Pray about everything. Seek Jesus FIRST and HIS righteousness, and ALL THESE THINGS will be added unto you. Praise you Jesus! Praise you Jesus, for giving me an Attitude of Gratitude.
What were Paul and Silas’ Attitude of Gratitude?
Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
SIMPLY SWANK est. 2018 
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