STIX 'N STONES

From My iPhone

This is my first attempt at a blog post from my iPhone. We'll see how it works.

Since the Steelers seemed to unravel in the 4th quarter today, I'm glad one of my football teams came out with a victory this weekend (Texas Longhorns).

Perspective on Pain

Over this past week, it felt that much of the time I was battling to keep different forms of physical pain under control. Having a kidney stone was a reminder of just how painful some things can be. I've been told that kind of pain ranks pretty high on the “pain index list.” Then just Wednesday I had to have a root canal, which added a little more pain and discomfort to my life. Let me just say that kidney stones and root canals are nothing to throw a party about!  (Although some people told me I should give a name to the kidney stone when it's actually "birthed.").  But on a serious note, It's those 2 things that prompted me to write this blog entry about processing pain. Here are my thoughts:

1. This week reminded me of how many people deal with severe and life-threatening pain on a daily basis. What I experienced this past week was short-lived and minimal compared to many others. This increases my compassion level for people. It also gives me a new burden to lift them up in prayer more than I already do. Names of people that I know and love are going through my mind even as I write this.

2. God is not the author of pain. He did not create it – He does not enjoy seeing people suffer. In fact, His heart breaks when we deal with pain, no matter how minimal (or severe) it may be.

3. Satan is the author of pain. The Bible says He comes to steal, kill and destroy our lives. God, however, comes to give us life!

4. Because we live in a sinful world, part of the effects of sin, is sickness and pain.

5. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, He took all of our sin, sickness and pain upon Himself. The blood that He shed provides healing. I truly believe this.  Jesus Christ is our healer and still does miracles today!

6. We can look forward to the day when we go to heaven, because in heaven, there will NOT be any sin, sickness or pain!

7. Although God did not create pain and doesn't like to see us experience pain, it's true that He can turn any situation around and bring good out of it. 

New Pain On Wednesday

I've had a tooth that has been giving me problems with significant pain over the past couple of weeks.  It's kept me up at night, and I haven't been able to put any pressure on it, even with soft foods or a toothbrush.  It's also extremely sensitive to hot and cold liquids.  I was scheduled to go to the dentist this past Monday (on my day off), but I had to cancel the appointment due to my kidney stone issue.  The only time I could reschedule it was today over my lunch "hour."  

After the dentist inspected my tooth, he said, "That explains it, you need a root canal."  That's not exactly what I wanted to hear.  He could have said a lot of things, almost anything but that!  I had 1 or 2 root canals when I was a kid, but I had forgotten how unpleasant and painful they can be.  I do have to admit though, the pain wasn't as intense as a kidney stone, and for that I'm grateful. 

I have to go back for phase 2 of the root canal process in a couple of weeks.  The last phase shouldn't be as bad from what I've been told.  In the next blog I write, I'm going to tackle the subject of "Processing Pain."