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Your flesh and your heart may fail, but God is the strength of your heart and portion forever.
- Psalm 73:26
I love this verse because it reminds me that my pain is only temporary.
Unfortunately, I struggle with aggressive arthritis that disintegrates my joints. There really isn’t treatment for it or a preventative to slow it.
Instead, there is surgery to repair the joints when they fail and pain management to deal with the day-to-day hurdles and difficulties.
Over the last years, I have had three neck surgeries (two fusions), one knee surgery, another coming up, three finger surgeries, two wrist surgeries, and one harsh back surgery to insert rods, screws, and cages to stabilize three collapsing levels. I don’t tell you this to gain sympathy but rather to encourage you.
I know pain. I live with it every second of every day.
Some days are better than others. Some are harder.
But through it all, God has been so gracious to me.
• He has always provided exactly what I need when I need it. Be it financial support or emotional support.
• He has allowed me to use my pain to relate to others who are going through difficulties.
• It has caused me to be more understanding of others and more in tune with those hurting.
• God has used the pain in my life to remove some of my harsh or rough edges.
And yet, if I’m honest, there are days I wish He would take my pain away. Like you, I struggle with the whys sometimes. On my not-so-proud days, I even get frustrated and angry.
But I always return to how much Christ suffered for me when He gave up His life so that I could have eternal life. And I am constantly reminded that this earth is not my home, and one day those who believe in Jesus will be reunited with Him in eternity—where there is no pain or suffering.
Most importantly, my pain allows others to see Jesus.
Your weaknesses will also because it is only through Christ that we are able to handle them.
So, whatever you face today, can you trust God to be your portion and strength? Can you have hope because of what is waiting for you in eternity?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for understanding every struggle and bit of pain I have. Please help me to remember that you are my strength and portion, both now and for eternity. Use my weakness to draw others to you. Amen.
With Love,
Sherry Shepherd
4 comments
Natalie T.
Hello, I too have osteoarthritis in my neck, both knees, and I believe in my shoulders. I have an implant in my spine called a Spinal Cord Stimulator, and it has helped, but it is not a cure. I also use a topical gel called Volteran Gel 1%. You may get it OTC, or by prescription. The gel helps my muscles in my neck, shoulders and upper back. And when I have a headache, I use it all over my head and scalp. The gel is especially for inflammation and arthritis! I find it is better than Aspercream. Prayers also help, and keep asking God to give you strength and to sustain you!
Hello, I too have osteoarthritis in my neck, both knees, and I believe in my shoulders. I have an implant in my spine called a Spinal Cord Stimulator, and it has helped, but it is not a cure. I also use a topical gel called Volteran Gel 1%. You may get it OTC, or by prescription. The gel helps my muscles in my neck, shoulders and upper back. And when I have a headache, I use it all over my head and scalp. The gel is especially for inflammation and arthritis! I find it is better than Aspercream. Prayers also help, and keep asking God to give you strength and to sustain you!
Renée Radi
Sherry, thank you for sharing this beautiful passage with us. My heart goes out to you. My sister also suffers from debilitating osteoarthritis. I work in the medical industry and have been doing studies on red light therapy. I have three clients who come in for 30 minute sessions 3 times a week to sit with their hands and wrists under the red light. They have seen marked differences in inflammation, pain, and straightening once gnarled hands since starting this therapy. I am working on getting a whole body infrared sauna and discovering the mechanisms for healing through light therapy as well as sound frequency healing at the cellular level. This information is squashed and trampled on by big pharma, but information is out there. Keep seeking answers. Praying over you and offering only the healing God can provide.
Sherry, thank you for sharing this beautiful passage with us. My heart goes out to you. My sister also suffers from debilitating osteoarthritis. I work in the medical industry and have been doing studies on red light therapy. I have three clients who come in for 30 minute sessions 3 times a week to sit with their hands and wrists under the red light. They have seen marked differences in inflammation, pain, and straightening once gnarled hands since starting this therapy. I am working on getting a whole body infrared sauna and discovering the mechanisms for healing through light therapy as well as sound frequency healing at the cellular level. This information is squashed and trampled on by big pharma, but information is out there. Keep seeking answers. Praying over you and offering only the healing God can provide.
Melissa Laws
Thank you for sharing your struggles and I want to say I am so sorry. Due to a fall over 30 years ago, I took live in severe pain all the time. I know I would not have made it were it not for God’s grace and mercy in my life!!! I don’t understand how people live their lives with hatred toward God, I couldn’t take a breath without Him! I took understand about the times when irritability and anger get the better of you and I’m so thankful that God forgives us! He created us, He knit us together in our mother’s womb, so He knows ALL about us and the struggles we face daily! Thank you for sharing and may God’s blessings and comfort be yours daily I pray in Jesus name! ❤️
Thank you for sharing your struggles and I want to say I am so sorry. Due to a fall over 30 years ago, I took live in severe pain all the time. I know I would not have made it were it not for God’s grace and mercy in my life!!! I don’t understand how people live their lives with hatred toward God, I couldn’t take a breath without Him! I took understand about the times when irritability and anger get the better of you and I’m so thankful that God forgives us! He created us, He knit us together in our mother’s womb, so He knows ALL about us and the struggles we face daily! Thank you for sharing and may God’s blessings and comfort be yours daily I pray in Jesus name! ❤️
Sheryl A
My sympathies to the pain you are experiencing. The Lord does use our struggles to deepen our faith and bring others to Jesus. I have been undergoing my own heart health journey for several months, but not years like you. . My “normal energetic ” life was abruptly stopped and at this point I do not know when or if it will ever resume. I already had a deep faith, but it has become even deeper. As A Bible Study teacher of mine said, “ You may be the only Bible some people ever read”: Like you, I’m trying to be the best Bible I can be. Thankful for the Lord and His love and support!
My sympathies to the pain you are experiencing. The Lord does use our struggles to deepen our faith and bring others to Jesus. I have been undergoing my own heart health journey for several months, but not years like you. . My “normal energetic ” life was abruptly stopped and at this point I do not know when or if it will ever resume. I already had a deep faith, but it has become even deeper. As A Bible Study teacher of mine said, “ You may be the only Bible some people ever read”: Like you, I’m trying to be the best Bible I can be. Thankful for the Lord and His love and support!