Pain Killers

But I am afflicted and in pain; may Your salvation, O God, set me securely on high. Psalm 69:29 (New American Standard Bible)

I have learned a lot about pain killers in the past week. I have learned how necessary and effective they are for relieving pain. In my case, their sole purpose is to make me comfortable while I wait for my fractured sternum to heal. If I give them time to wear off, I am once again made acutely aware that complete healing has not yet taken place. That is why it is necessary that I abide by the restrictions of my physician even during the times when the pain is not there. I also must keep in mind that the pain killers cannot speed up my healing or even assist in it. Their job is strictly for pain relief and meant only to be temporarily used.

It hasn’t taken long for me to begin seeing the spiritual implications through my physical situation. Just like my body can experience pain, so can my heart, mind, and emotions. Addictions of any kind are a result of seeking relief from pain. I have known people to be addicted to drugs, alcohol, work, sports, material things, entertainment, and immoral life styles. They would go to any lengths to find relief from the pain of guilt, loneliness, insignificance, regret, and shame. For me, it was the acceptance and approval of people. Being in relationship with significant people became my pain killer. But it was temporary and limited. People could ease the pain but could never supply the necessary healing. They could affect my heart but not heal it.

I know that my bones will take six to eight weeks to heal properly and I know that my mind and emotions will also take time (much time) to heal properly. During that time, God is helping me to see where I have been wounded and how much of my heart pain is built on faulty thinking and blatant lies. While He will certainly use people to relieve some of the pain, the ultimate healing and wholeness come from Him and are a result of living connected to Him on a daily basis. Learning to cry out to Him, wait on Him, hope in Him, seek Him, obey Him, talk to Him, listen to Him, and just be with Him. As I derive my sense of value, worth, and significance from who I am in Christ and what He says about me, I will look less and less to people to do that for me. I will also stop making them responsible for my well being.

Indeed, healing is coming but it is coming through God and in His time. I praise Him for the temporary pain killers He provides but I bow before Him as my True Healer.

Father, You are my Great Physician of not only my body, but also of my mind, will, and emotions. I seek Your touch. Amen.

Heal the Wound - Point of Grace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g_dhYDQIdg

Pain is the raw material from which can be made a soul increasingly sensitive to the existence of God's love. ~ John Woolley