Hello, ladies! I pray this reaches you well. Guess What?! September is Pain Awareness Month, established by the American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) in 2001. Living with Chronic pain can have devastating effects and create constraints in a woman's life, such as caring for her household, herself, and her family. So, in light of Pain Awareness Month, I wanted to provide you with some info and insight that I pray will be helpful to you or someone in your life who may experience chronic pain.
Despite what your circumstance may look like, you are not defined by your pain. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 the Lord answered Paul's prayer and said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" Thus Paul responded, "I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
It's in our weakness that God's grace sustains and gives us strength and power to get through the suffering!
Facts/Statistics:
Chronic pain, as defined by the American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA), is pain that continues a month or more beyond the usual recovery period for an injury or illness or that goes on for months or years due to a chronic condition.
Chronic pain may be "on" and "off" or continuous. It may affect people to the point they can't work, eat properly, take part in physical or social activities, or enjoy life.
Pain can be anything from something mild, such as a headache, to something more excruciating like fibromyalgia, lupus, sciatica, cancer, and multiple sclerosis, just to name a few.
Researchers estimate that 50 million adults in the United States are dealing with chronic pain.
The lingering effects and symptoms attributed to chronic pain can cause mood shifts and changes within a woman's emotional state.
When a person is in pain, they tend to feel depressed; depression lends to a body's heightened sensitivity to pain - It's cyclical.
Effects of Chronic Pain:
Women with chronic pain are affected physically, mentally, and emotionally which can also cause them to feel inadequate and worthless.
Aside from the physical constraints, a woman has to emotionally cope with the new norm of living life with pain.
(The aforementioned information is extracted from a course assignment in which the references are listed)
Biblical Encouragement (Luke 4:38 - 41)
Luke 4:38 Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law, who was sick with a high fever. Scripture says they made their request known to Jesus, He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and she arose and served them. Just as in this scripture, I encourage you to:
Bring it to the Lord & Speak against the pain - If we make our requests known to Jesus, He has the power to heal our bodies and remove the sickness. Additionally, just as Jesus rebuked the illness out of the woman's body, we too can speak down on the sickness in our bodies, rebuke it in the name of Jesus and profess that we will be healed!
In Matthew 10:1, Jesus gave His disciples power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
Proverbs 18:21 tells us death and life are in the power of the tongue, so we must speak to those things we want to see happen, in faith and in boldness.
Glorify God in the healing - As Peter's mother-in-law arose and served them, as should we, especially Jesus. It is imperative that we share our testimonies of what the Lord is doing and has done in our lives. Not only does it bring Him glory, but it can be life-changing for another person.
Luke 4:40 - 41 As people heard about the Lord's miraculous healing of Peter's Mother-in-Law, they began to bring sick people, with various diseases, to Jesus for healing. Scripture says he laid hands on every single one of them and healed them. And demons came out of many of the people.
Jesus healed many with various diseases. He is the ultimate healer! This scripture tells me that not only were they healed from physical diseases, but also sickness that plagued them emotionally and spiritually. Such as generational patterns and/or other negative, deeply planted seeds (see Finding Her Blogs). We often carry burdens from the generations before us or are bound by those crippling words spoken over us in that past relationship or even a parent. And, unfortunately, we are blind to how those things are showing up in our lives today. But, God! Listen, ladies. It is time to break those chains and shackles and walk into the fullness of life that God has promised us. It's time to be set free from the pain and step into our healing. How?:
Invite God into your pain/situation - Ask him to help you identify the root of the brokenness, the pain (physical/emotional), and most importantly, ask Him for healing and deliverance. Know that most things with God don't come without a sacrifice, so you may have to give up something in the process, but I can assure you that it's always worth it.
"You are an overcomer, and in Christ, there is healing and freedom."
Few ways to live well with Chronic Pain
Don't suppress your feelings or the pain - Share them with someone you love, trust, or even a professional. Adapting to a lifestyle with pain may bring about the grief of the old lifestyle and independence.
Learn to manage your pain - Don't let the pain control your life. Engage in self-enriching activities that bring you joy, such as reading, watching your favorite show, or fellowshipping with friends.
Natural aids such as turmeric, fresh juicing, or other natural oils/supplements. Additionally, a heating/cooling pad or a TENS device.
Walking has been extremely therapeutic for me, both physically and emotionally. It's low impact, and it's the perfect time for me to meditate, take in the serene surrounding (I like to walk by the water), and have time with the Lord.
Protecting your space and a healthy balance. Boundaries from the things and people that do not bring peace to your life are necessary. Stress and busyness can induce pain.
Journaling is also therapeutic. It's a way to write out your feeling as well as the blessings in your day, despite the pain. I also find journaling a good source to annotate your pain scale, track flare-ups, etc., so it's accessible to recall when needed.
Support..support..support! I cannot stress this enough. Tap into your support system (family, friends, support groups, counselor) when needed, and tap into others who can use support too. We were not created to do life alone.
Lean on God. He is the source of compassion and comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3). No matter the pain we may endure, in God, there is peace, joy, contentment, strength, and comfort.
Here is a resource from the ACPA where you can learn more about Pain Awareness Month: https://www.theacpa.org/september-is-pain-awareness-month/
A Prayer for You: Lord, bless us who are faced with pain. As your Word says, we bring our pain and our cares to You. You are Jehovah-Rapha, the God who heals. Father, help us to not be bound by the pain we endure but rather see purpose in our pain. By the authority of Your Word, we know that it is Your will for your people to be completely whole and restored. I pray and speak healing over our bodies and our minds. May we not be bound by physical and emotional wounds or afflictions, but may we find joy, contentment, and healing in You. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen!
Love you, lots! Be blessed & be encouraged 💞
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