PAIN, OUR FRIEND

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.   Romans 8:37


Paul has been going to Carter Rehab Center for physical therapy on his knee due to his knee replacement surgery that took place four weeks ago.  He was talking with Aaron DeLine the physical therapist and the subject of pain came into the conversation.  Aaron talked about a book he read while in PT training called, Pain-The Gift Nobody Wants.  Pain is a gift since those who do not feel pain often hurt themselves very badly because they don't have this sense.  While Paul goes through his exercises and therapy, he has to endure a lot of pain.  However, he knows that the pain is necessary if he is going to be able to gain the full use of his knee and leg again.  The muscles that were cut for the new knee to be put in place have to be strengthened and brought back to full use.  If these muscles are not worked, they will soon atrophy and not be useful in moving the leg properly. 


Yesterday in our devotions we were reading from Streams In The Desert and the article had very much the same theme.  To quote a portion of it the article read, "So it has been commonly thought that protected ease is the most favorable condition of life, whereas all the noblest and strongest lives prove on the contrary that the endurance of hardship is the making of the men, and the factor that distinguishes between existence and vigorous vitality.  Hardship makes character."


God has not promised to give us an easy life, but he has promised strength to endure and that He will be with us through those difficult times.


Fear thou not; for I am with thee:  Be not dismayed; for I am thy God:  I with strengthen thee; ye, I will help thee; ye, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.  Isaiah 41:10


Blessings and Encouragement,


Paul, Gail, Patsy and Penny