Comfort

Written by cycleguy on July 19th, 2017

Confession: if you haven’t already figured it out yet, I am sometimes an emotional writer. I sometimes write what is on my heart-filtered and unfiltered depending on subject matter.

This is one of those posts.  If you are looking for a “Smile. Be happy” post then I’m going to say you won’t find it. However, I do hope you will read to the end.

As many of you know, I have back surgery scheduled for this coming Monday. Until then, I have to live with occasional intense pain. I have given up riding my bike because it was no longer fun. It hurt too much whenever I hit a bump or missed seeing a small hole in the road. I woke up this morning and within 10 seconds made the decision not to go to the Y (where I do upper body work) because of the pain. Even putting on my shorts would have been a nightmare, let alone my shoes.

I was whining. I was crying. I was definitely feeling sorry for myself. Wallowing in self-pity. Then I read this from New Morning Mercies (NMM) by Paul David Tripp:

God puts me in hard moments when I cry out for His comfort so that my heart becomes tender to those near me who need the same comfort.

Strange that 20 minutes or so earlier I was whining and feeling sorry for myself. But Tripp wasn’t done.

The hard moments are not just for my growth in grace, but for my call to be a tool of that same grace in the life of another sufferer. In difficulty God is softening my heart and sharpening my edges so that I may be ready to make the comfort of the invisible Father visible in the life of the weary pilgrim He has placed in my pathway.”

The Scripture reference was 2 Corinthians 1: 3-6.  If you get a moment, take a peak at it.

So I need to change my attitude. Stop complaining about the pain. Stop crying and belly-aching and start trusting and seeing it as a ministry opportunity (now or future).  I’ll be honest. I’m not there yet. Least not at this moment.  I can only pray that time will come soon.

Thanks for listening. (And yes, I shared this with my small band of brothers who are working through NMM with me).

 

6 Comments so far ↓

  1. Zee says:

    It’s good in the long run… but GETTING THROUGH those painful moments still doesn’t get any easier whatever one thinks.

  2. Lisa notes says:

    It’s not necessarily comforting now, but later you’ll be able to be more empathetic toward other’s pain in ways you couldn’t have understood before. We’d still rather NOT have the pain in the first place, but it will be put to use anyway. Praying for you, Bill.

  3. No, it’s no easy thing pushing through the pain as you’re having to do now, Bill. But what a blessing you found in today’s reading! God can and will use even our most painful moments to help someone else their struggles.
    Praying for you, brother! Hang in there!

  4. floyd says:

    I feel you, brother… literally!!!

  5. Pam says:

    Praying for you, Bill. When I am facing surgery, I always tell myself–A month from now things will be better. Sometimes the interim isn’t so pleasant, but ultimately the truth is, things DO get better. Just knowing God is with me helps me through those interim days. I know He will be with you, too.