It was x-rayed yesterday. The PA thought there was a fracture. The doctor said, "No, that is just old arthritis."
The PA said whatever it is it is very nasty looking -- two large bones in my foot that have points on them and are all rough (bones are supposed to be smooth).
"Just old arthritis."
Do you know how irritating and heart-breaking those words are when you're in pain? And you realize your own foot injured itself?
I felt like punching that doctor in the nose for the callousness he exhibited.
Forgive my complaining. I'm letting my pain control my emotions at this moment.
Pain wears a person down.
When I'm like this (or when you're like this if ever) I gotta think about Jesus. I gotta put my mind consciously on Him. He will give grace. He will always give grace. Grace is here.
I also think about the Body of Christ. That is what Believers are called -- we are His Body and we are supposed to work together as a healthy body does.
"But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body." 1 Corinthians 12:18-20
Did you know that Jesus isn't Baptist or Catholic or Lutheran or Methodist or Pentecostal or whatever? In heaven those names aren't going to matter. Eventually (or maybe immediately) they will fall away. If we think of them they may seem a bit silly even.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:1 to "Pursue love."
That is a good thing to do.
And especially when you're in pain of any kind, love, love with abandon.
In Romans 12:1 we are told to, "by the mercies of God, ... present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."
You live this way for God and for no other reason. You do it through the pain
Oswald Chambers writes, "Our motive for surrender should not be for any personal gain at all."
When we put an expectation on our surrender, when we do it for a personal reason, we then put ourselves in the middle of that surrender rather than God.
Are you dealing with some kind of pain? Then this is the time to really and consciously and purposely love and serve and give grace to any and all who need it. Sometimes it is tough to do but it is the very best way to live. Actually, you know what -- let God do it through you. He says in Psalm 46, "Cease striving and know that I am God."
Focus on Him. Love and leave the results