When We Don’t Like Pain

I am in that ripe season of life when I notice body parts that could use a good tune up. I purpose to be in the Fitness Room, lifting weights to tone up my arms and then to the elliptical equipment to keep my heart toned up.

Last year I stopped playing pickleball because my competitive spirit wouldn’t let me just meander through my game. NO – I had to throw my body in it to win it, lunged to reach the ball and, WHAM, pulled my ham string.

Six months of chiropractic care (and, always God’s healing power), no pain. What I discovered is I DON’T LIKE PAIN so much, that I no longer play pickleball. It was sure fun while it lasted.

This brings me back to my fitness quest. After weeks of lifting weights, I noticed that my right wrist has been hurting. Remember I DON’T LIKE PAIN! So, for now, weightlifting is on hold!

I don’t like physical pain and I don’t like soul pain. And if I’m not careful, this aversion to pain can lead to grabbing for something to fill the deep ache in my soul. Maybe you can relate.

Like when we might be lonely and could sure use a friend. We see other people in groups laughing and celebrating together. And we are not the outgoing type that can just move into the group. So, then, our soul ache perpetuates.

When we’re listening to other moms and dads or grandparents and they boast about all the accomplishments of their children and/or grands and ours are struggling in school or life itself, our flesh cringes.

Oh, that “flesh” of ours! That “flesh” is the enemy of our souls’ playground! Being flesh-minded is what I must conquer – especially at this age. BUT I’ve discovered that the more we fill ourselves from God’s life-giving love, the less we will be dictated by the weaknesses of our flesh.

The Apostle Paul gives us a dose of “flesh-resistance” in this passage:
“For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from Whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:14-19).

Aw! The FULLNESS of God! That scripture packs a punch, doesn’t it? If we grasp the full love of Christ, we won’t grab at other things to fill us. We find a great daily choice! “Am I willing to tell my flesh no, so I can say yes to the fullness of God in my life?”

We have power through Christ, Who is over every power, including the pull of our flesh. When we have Christ, we are full — fully loved and accepted and empowered to say no. We might feel the wind, but we aren’t destroyed by it. This is the “fullness of God.” We are full because Christ brought His fullness to us. Let’s determine…NO MO flesh having its way in ME!!