| The Christian Woman and Chronic Pain At age 18, while in my second semester of college, I became ill. At first I was just tired a lot and was unable to rest. Then my muscles started weakening and constantly hurting. It felt like the flu only it didn't go away. After a few weeks I saw a doctor and was told that I had fibromyalgia. The doctor assured me that it was not life threatening, but that it could at times be debilatating. Within two months of being diagnosed, if I was able to make it to my classes, I either could not concentrate from muscle exhaustion or extreme fatigue. I was wasting time and money; so I withdrew. Not only was I suffering physically but now my dreams for my future seemed destroyed. (Aren't you glad that God holds your future in the palm of His hand?!) And on top of that my family and friends believed the whole thing to exist only in my imagination. It is a very lonely thing to go through. On the outside I look fine. So people assume I should be fine. It's a whole other story inside. God was so gracious in giving me a wonderful husband who has stood by my side through it all. Tommy is very supportive and let's me rest every chance possible EVEN if it means he is not able to rest. I do not have the option to stop going just because I do not feel good. Just as Paul's thorn was not removed from his flesh, neither has this one been removed from mine. God does promise though that His grace is sufficient, and that it is! How to handle constant pain: 1. Stay in the scripture and quote it often! 2. Stay in a prayerful attitude! (Rebuke the devil and remind him whose child you are!) 3. Have your spouse or someone of faith annoint you with oil and pray for you. Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and using it to annoint is a sign of our faith. 4. Listen to praise and worship music. 5. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith! (Don't keep your eyes on the pain! That is what the devil wants you to do which in doing so causes you to take your eyes off Jesus.) Scriptures To Build Your Faith: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1 "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6, 7 "We live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7 ***UPDATE*** While sitting in my living room one night watching a Christian motorcycle rally on television, God miraculously healed me!!! I have been fibro free for two years now. It is awesome getting to participate in things that before I was in too much pain to think about. I asked God once why He'd allowed me to go through this illness that lasted seven years. He told me, "If you'd never been sick, you'd have never known my healing power." It was worth it all!! |
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