“And as he passed over Penuel, the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.” Genesis 32:31
As I grow older, I experience more aches and pains than I did as a younger woman. Most are transient… here today, gone tomorrow. Sometimes when one ache disappears, a different one reappears, and then when it is gone, another one pops up! Unfortunately, I do have chronic pain in a hip joint. My doctor says it is arthritis, and some future day I may be a candidate for treatment that is more extensive than taking a couple of anti-inflammatories for the discomfort.
As I lamented over this current diagnosis, I read the story about Jacob wrestling with God and being afflicted with a painful joint. This affliction, given to him by the Lord, remained with Jacob for the rest of his life. This reminded me of Paul and his “thorn in the side” as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12. Why were these men afflicted in such a manner? I think these physical problems enabled Jacob and Paul to deepen their trust in the Lord. For Jacob, he would always remember that God would fight for him as evidenced in his new name, Israel. For Paul, he would always humbly remember that God’s grace was sufficient for anything he needed or faced in life, as Christ would be his strength.
Bearing this in mind, I thought about my own physical problem. While I wished it was not an issue for me, the reality is that it is, and I can either grumble about it or use it to draw me closer to God, just as Jacob and Paul were drawn nearer to God through their infirmities. I know that God knows all about my health issues, and He could heal them all in a heartbeat if He so chose. Instead, He has allowed them to continue for a purpose. I believe that the purpose is to deepen my relationship with Him. (I definitely pray more about my health than I ever did before, and any time I take the time to talk with God, it is a very good thing.)
While I am not quite at the place where I am thankful for all the joint pains I have, I can say that I am happy my eyes have been opened a bit more to the understanding that all things (even chronic pains) “…work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Never a weakness that He doth not feel,
Never a sickness that He cannot heal;
Moment by moment, in woe or in weal,
Jesus, my Saviour, abides with me still.
Moment by moment I’m kept in His love;
Moment by moment I’ve life from above;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.
(From “Moment By Moment” by D.W. Whittle)
“But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.” Psalm 73:28
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Take a moment now to thank God for helping you through those aches and pains of life!