Our back is one of the key areas of our body; often we take it granted until it begins to hurt. I felt helpless unable to take charge of the circumstances owing to my back pain! Being unable to sit or stand I watched helplessly things unfolding before me as a silent spectator. I was tied to my bed that became my closest companion, as only when I lied down I could keep discomfort at bay. I often had to fight back my emotions, but my hope remained in God. ‘Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight’ (Ps 119:142-143).
Pain has a unique way to stop us in our tracks and make us introspect. Here are few things I learnt. Pay attention: During the days of my youth, I did not pay much attention to what my body had to say! When stiffness on my back began, I never cared to listen because it was not hurting. As there was no excruciating pain, I just did not care to slow down to listen! I could have refrained from doing so many things. I failed to heed the gentle voice. I did not know my negligence was taking me down to a point of great pain.
Pay attention to your body signals! Stop to listen what it tries to tell you. You can go only as far as your body can carry you! We often associate blessing with material things. Sound health alone is an extraordinary reason to live a life of immense gratitude. John says: ‘Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well’ (3 Jn. 2 NIV).
Attitude is everything: Earlier when people narrated stories of their loved ones in pain or a tragic story it didn’t really capture my attention. To me sickness made a good sermon topic and I eloquently preached to ‘others’. My back pain helped me see for the first time the other side of life I failed to see before! It opened my eyes to see others in pain. Not that I ignored them deliberately, in fact I was ignorant of them. Don’t let a calamity in your life be the cause for you to understand the pains of others.
Lets genuinely love one another. John says: ‘Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God’ (1 Jn. 4:7 NIV). God can turn around your situation: ‘My health fails; my spirits droop, yet God remains! He is the strength of my heart; he is mine forever!’ (Ps 73:26 TLB) God can turn a mess into a message! It is not end of the road for the marred pot in the potter’s hand. He is able to roll out a newer version from the mess that our life has become! God trains us through our situations. ‘God allows circumstances more than the reading of our Bible to shape us because we face circumstances 24 hours a day’, says Rick Warren the renown author. Undoubtedly we can learn from our pain. Suffering has a way ‘to stop us from rushing through life with our sight & hearing blunted to pain & needs of other’. Learn to appreciate every simple thing, which we otherwise tend to take it for granted. If you have a strong back, you ought not to complain about anything in life.
Author: Mr. Saji Mathews is associated with missions.
