Block the Pain!

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

II Corinthians 12:9

As many of you already know, I had a spinal stimulator permanently implanted in my back a couple of weeks ago. I have been struggling with back pain and small fiber neuropathy for years now. The idea of the stimulator is to “block the pain” signals to the brain. This was kind of a last resort so I can get out and about once again. I have been down for almost 5 years. Not exactly what I had in mind for retirement. I covet your prayers that this will work. But nonetheless, I am trusting that the Lord has a plan. He has all along. I have learned many lessons and have been able to still rejoice in my “infirmities” as Paul has said. My future is in God’s hands, and His ways are always right and true. As I always say, “It is well with my soul, and I am in His hands.” There couldn’t be a safer and calmer place.

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

Isaiah 43:2

As I sit here day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year, I am more convinced than ever that GOD is in control. God directs my path whatever that may be. I rely on His peace, His direction, His unfailing love, and His love for me. I think of all the pain that He endured so that you and I could have eternal life. His Father could have “blocked the pain” as He hung on that cross for me, for you! Yet, He endured that unbelievable suffering for us all. What a Savior! What love He has for each and every one of us.

"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: ... But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:4-5

When I sit and think about all the pain that Jesus endured for us, I am so ashamed and so humbled by His life. The problem is that most of the time, we focus on our own pain, our own troubles, our own lives instead of what He endured for us so that we can be sure of spending eternity with Him in Heaven. A place where there will be no more pain, no more troubles, no more stress, no more strife, and no more sorrow or tears. Imagine that! Sitting in Heaven with all the saints who have passed

before and just rejoicing in His presence. No more pills, no more surgeries, no more struggles, and no more sadness or pain. I wish I could get on the next bus load up. Doesn’t it make you want to go right now? We can’t even imagine what awaits for those who have asked Him into your hearts to save us from eternal damnation. Please, if you have never asked the Lord into your heart, please do it today. The Bible clearly tell us that “Now is the day of salvation!” Acknowledge that you are a

sinner, confess your sin, and ask the Lord to come into your heart and life. Turn the reigns of your heart over to Him. Then you can be assured of Heaven and eternal life.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

John 14:6

I’m reminded that the spinal stimulator does not remove the pain, it changes how the brain receives those signals. In the same way, God doesn’t always remove our pain and trials, but He gives us His peace and grace that changes how we respond. He shows us that the trial or pain no longer has power over us.

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

Psalm 18:2

I’ve been told that the stimulator may not work overnight but may quietly and slowly work toward a time when I realize that it is actually helping. The same with God. We may not feel or see His working in our lives, but He is always working beneath the surface until the day that we look back and see His hand and His work in our hearts and lives. Put your trust in Him today. Trust Him for He knows what is best for us.

“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Psalms 34:18