Pain as a Miracle?

This is dedicated to all who deal with chronic, debilitating pain.

Some of you may know that I deal with a tremendous amount of pain due to Fibromyalgia and other health problems. I believe and pray for a healing yet I know that God can use me through the pain as a testimony for Him.

Throughout my life, I have had people say that they were watching me and my Relationship with God while dealing with all these tremendous health issues. They said if I can live for God with all that I go through, then they can too....you just never know why we go through all this pain. Maybe people are coming to know God because of the pain you go through.  God may speak to you about not healing you at this time or you may not all know of the reason for it all, until you get to Heaven.

There may be people living for God because of you.  You may be on their minds. They may be praying for a miracle, yet that miracle may be them watching you finding strength in God. That miracle may be people having a stronger relationship with God because they see what you go through and how you cling on to God for hope.  That miracle may be others finding salvation in Jesus Christ because you may be a walking testimony in serving God through all these symptoms.

May be YOU are the miracle. Someone striving with all their might and strength, carrying their cross of pain, and holding onto Jesus, is miraculous.

What is the greater testimony? Preaching the gospel, but not living what is preached OR not saying a word yet living as an example of Jesus Christ?  I believe it's the last one.  We may not be able to get out and do much, but with what we can do, make sure it's living for the one and only, Almighty God. Lean on him for strength. Cling to Him.

Let people watch you live for God THROUGH the pain.  This pain may be temporary or permanent on earth, yet it is not totally permanent. There will be no pain in Heaven.  We are on this earth but a glimpse of what eternity will be.....

My dear brothers and sisters, keep your chin up. Pray for a healing, and while you are waiting for a healing, do what God wants you to do,  THROUGH, the pain.  God loves you.  He cares about what you are going through. Lean on Him for your daily strength. Allow God to use you in this tough time, of debilitating pain, in your life.

Well, You don't look Sick

When people have asked how I'm doing, I used to tell them that I feel awful and am in pain which is probably not what they want to hear.  Most of their responses would be: "Well, you look good," or "Well,  you look nice, " or "Well, you don't look sick or in pain." I don't understand why they start the reply with the word  "well," but they did. I guess they expect people who look nice or seem to have it together to never have to deal with diseases, illnesses, or chronic pain.  If I had a dollar for every time someone said that "I Don't Look Sick" when I tell them I have fibromyalgia and other health issues, I would be rich.  I guess these certain ones expect me to be limping, shriveled, or in a wheelchair before they believe me. Maybe they are implying that only ugly, or unkept people are disabled. I disagree. I have seen some nice looking people who are disabled with a silent illness/disease that you can't tell by looking at them.

These days,  I try not to tell everyone how I'm doing unless they are really concerned and seem to care.  If someone asks how I'm doing, I may reply with "I'm okay." That's my way of saying, " I'm in pain, I don't feel well, yet I got up, got dressed, and made it out the door." MY MOTTO, this year, has been: "I MADE IT! "

I am here to tell you that fibromyalgia (fibro) is an invisible illness. You can't see it; you can't touch it and everyone who has it, doesn't all have the same intensities of pain and symptoms.  Some people may have a mild case of fibro, while others may have an extreme case, like I do. Some are able to work, yet some have too may intense symptoms and much debilitating pain that affects every aspect of their life. Some can have a pretty normal lifestyle yet others may have a hard time moving around or have low energy.

The greatest things you can do for someone with fibro is take them seriously, realize they aren't lying about all the crazy and intense pain and symptoms they experience, believe in them, and encourage them.  Most of all, be their friend or the loved one who really cares.

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And it's good  to join a fibromyalgia support group. 
You can join one at www.teensytidbits.blogspot.com on the home page