Several weeks ago I had my first bout with COVID. Neither John nor I had ever personally experienced it even though we had been exposed many times. We had continued ministering to individuals throughout the entire pandemic and stayed strong and healthy.
Why now? We had absolutely no clue how we contracted it, but we did. (I quickly realized that it is much easier if only one of us is sick at a time, but that was not the way it happened.)
Fortunately, our children took on the task of meeting every need. We have never had so much attention; eaten so well; or been so well supplied with everything imaginable.
Unfortunately, at the very same time, I somehow hurt my back. Since I was contagious, a trip to my chiropractor was not possible. Thus, we prayed and I did my regimen of stretching exercises. No matter what I did, the pain only increased. By the time COVID had passed (praise the Lord!) I was in terrible pain and quickly made an appointment.
After only a few moments, the Dr. exclaimed, “What in the world did you do? Every muscle and tendon in your body is inflamed and tight as a drum!” I told him that I had spent the past week fighting pain – trying to overcome it on my own. It was obvious to both of us that I had actually made the problem much worse. Now my whole body was ailing!
I couldn’t help but realize how often we do that very thing in our lives. We have a challenge; a loss; a disappointment; frustration; or pain – and we try to fix it ourselves. Not necessarily because we are contagious, but perhaps we are too proud, or embarrassed, of feel like we don’t have the right to ask for help because we caused the mess. Whatever the reason, we end up intensifying the problem rather than resolving it.
The Lord has provided for us so many avenues for help – everything from godly friends, prayer, ministers, and coaches, to counselors, therapists, and doctors. He never intended for us to fight the pain on our own.
I would love to say that my one visit to the Dr. fixed me up. Unfortunately, by the time I went, I was so badly messed up, it took more than one visit to put everything back into proper alignment.
And so it is with our lives. Often realignment and healing is a process. Don’t give up the ship just because your one visit didn’t fix you up.
Truthfully, I had to change things in my life-style: the way I moved, sat, lifted, etc. in order to further and keep my healing. Recovery often needs to be a cooperative process involving change. As Eph 4:16 says, “From Him (Christ) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
So, my dear friends, when in pain, let’s be willing to not only seek help, but also be willing to do the work. You will be amazed at the results!
