A cheerful heart is good medicine. Sounds good. Sounds righteous. Sounds like something someone would say when they have not deeply suffered from chronic illness. God actually said it and Jesus did suffer, more than we can wrap our human brains around. So let’s get a spoonful of medicine and practice that cheerful heart. HINT: I am talking more about me than you…
A cheerful heart is good medicine…
~ Proverbs 17:22a (NIV)
Chronic pain is back in my body, reminding me of what is important and possible through God.
The pain has been relentless these last few weeks, reminding me of the 2 years of nonstop wracking pain from Lyme (and the third year of annoying chronic pain). Because I have taken care of my body, I honestly thought I would never experience this level of physical pain again. Whew, was I ever wrong, ittttsssss
This is a Christian perspective on chronic illness blog so I know that most of you have experienced chronic pain. You know what I am talking about. The pain is so distracting and so dang, well PAINFUL, that it is easy to lose joy and cheerfulness. Yet, we are called to maintain them.
or what….
The verse goes on to tell us…
….but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
~ Proverbs 17:22b (NIV)
In the past, I have lived in a stated of a crushed spirit and dried up bones. No interest in going there again. So, back to Jesus. He seems to always be the answer, even in the midst of intense physical chronic pain.
Cheerful Heart
I am not concentrating well in my physical pain, so this jingle provides
I personally know that I cannot bear the physical pain I am enduring right now. What I do know is that God never gives us more than we can bear, so therefore I must be able to endure. So, keeeeep joyful and cheerful in faith and hope…
No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].
~ 1 Corinthians 10:13 (AMP) Read all the different versions of the verse
When I am in physical pain like this, it stops me in my tracks. It actually helps me focus better on scripture. Scripture grounds me. It keeps me focused on Jesus and prayer and hope in things I cannot see in the immediate.
We live ABOVE circumstances as Christians. Scripture keeps my mind above the circumstances I find myself in.
It reminds me that my body is a temple for the Holy Spirit. When I am in pain, just maybe the Holy Spirit is trying to get my attention when I am too stubborn to listen otherwise.
For ME, it reminds me that I do not need to give in to the modern medical system, I can choose natural things that nourish my body as well as my soul.
This is tricky because pain relief is a modern convince that may or may not be provided by God. We have to make those individual choices in how we see it. I do not believe that just because we are Christians we should never seek pain relief yet because we are Christians we can seek what is best for the Temple of the Holy Spirit, our bodies. Like I said, it’s tricky.
Take the “tricky” out of it by listening to the Holy Spirit. He has the exact right answer for your body, your situation, your future, and your spiritual growth.
Temporary Relief of Pain
Physical pain screams at us. It is a megaphone saying that something is wrong. It pokes and prodes us to find the true source of the problem.
While we work on finding the source of pain, we can find relief in staying joyful and cheerful. I personally choose natural remedies to keep my spirits up and my body on a natural healing path.
While staying in scripture, praying and relying on God, there are natural things I can do to help myself during chronic pain.
- Epson Salt or Magnesium Chloride Flakes for Baths – relieves pain and soothes muscles and nerves
- Homeopathic Arnica – relieves pain with a natural homeopathic ~ GreenMedInfo DataBase on ARNICA
- Warm Organic Chamomile Tea – calms the body and spirit ~ GreenMedInfo on treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Diffusing chamomile essential oil
- Dig Deeper, Learn More – Evidence-Based Research on natural approaches to PAIN ~ GreenMedInfo DataBase on PAIN
Instead of relying on a pill (modern medicine) to create immediate relief (yet cause long-term side effects) I can choose natural alternatives to keep my body in line with my views on healing and health.
When I get in this much physical pain, usually I cannot stay on the computer very long or hold up a book long enough to get anywhere (much less have good eyesight during pain). I quickly turn to audio.
- Audio Bible – FREE
- Radio Praise & Worship Music – FREE
- Audio Books
- Music of all sorts
- Listening to nature – FREE
I can also hear God through the sweet sounds of birds every single morning. I literally lay in bed a little longer when I am in pain just so I can hear them. They are there every single morning without fail, just like the Lord is. What a cheerful reminder.
Joyful During Pain
Where can we find joy, it is heaven sent…
Joy is the serious business of heaven.
~ C. S. Lewis
Remember, joy does not mean happy. Cheerful does not mean ignoring problems that need to be addressed.
I can choose to praise God during intense pain. I can choose to see that God has provided me with a brain and an attitude of healing, not self-destruction. Not every single one of my thoughts is perfect, far from it, but I do choose to keep getting back on track every time I notice my mind wandering away from praising God. Okay, so sometimes it takes me a little longer than others!!!
No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened.
~ C. S. Lewis, The Great Divorce
How do you stay joyful during pain? How do you stop yourself in your thoughts and praise God?
May all of you experience heaven