Chutes and Ladders: Your Journey Through Healing
From where does pain originate?
In college, I spent countless hours working to understand the depths of this question. I was new in my faith, but steadfast in working to address this question via science. As I researched sources that contributed insight to the origin(s) of pain, I became fascinated with (what I deemed) an even more important question:
How does physical pain affect a person’s social and psychological well-being and perceived quality of life?
Considering I was pursuing an Allied Health degree in Pre-Physical Therapy, I found it fitting to address this question by surveying collegiate athletes receiving physical rehabilitation where I attended school. Prior empirical research shows that there is, in fact, a correlation between physical pain and one’s social and psychological well-being. The goal of this blog is not to provide you with an abundance of scientific research, study results or charts and tables. Its purpose is to get you thinking about how you are one complex beautiful being created by God’s hands.
As years fly by, I also find myself pondering the converse of my previous question:
How do social and psychological pains affect one’s physical well-being?
A simple connection to a few feature films may resonate well. Wonder Woman (2017) challenged the audience to understand that pain is not to be treated or repaired in solitude by one’s own doing. The suffering experience in the world and by the world is inevitable. It WILL happen. The movie Collateral Beauty (2016) is a movie that demonstrates that love, time and death are vital essences of life. I am extremely grateful for stories like these that help people better understand that pain is an integral part of the human experience.
I am even more grateful that we are provided with scripture that reinforces these concepts. Even amidst the pain, Romans 5:3-5 encourages us to be aware that there is a chain reaction from suffering to endurance to character to hope; God’s love is always present. As humans of the mortal world, we will experience the vicious cycle of psychological pain that creates physical pain that creates psychological pain throughout our lifetime. The Bible tells us that we are never alone on this path to healing. Stories of tens of centuries fill those pages. Pain is real. You have experienced it. I have experienced it. Jesus experienced it; John 16:33 reminds us that Jesus overcame the world. I can say that the pain I have experienced in my life is trivial compared to that which Jesus endured during His walk on Earth.
At times, I know we can relate to the feelings portrayed in Jeremiah 15:18-19. The Lord’s reply to our cries for help and healing promises that He heals when we “return to Him… utter what is precious”. At the end of Wonder Woman, we see Diana come to realize the importance of acknowledging what is precious. Amidst the disaster she observed in the final scene of the movie, she felt compassion towards those who had previously done wrong as well as those who sacrificed to make the world good again.
Physical, social and psychological pains are synergistic. I urge you to be honest with yourself and in your prayers to request healing for any and all pains you are enduring. Tell a friend or two or thirty. We were not created to handle suffering on our own. I leave you with Romans 8:18.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Personal reflection:
1. The task of simply thinking about the connection of mind and body is crucial to your well-being. Regardless of how superficial or deep the questions are that you have, list them in your journal.
2. What type of pain are you experiencing in your life? Who have you talked to about healing that pain?
3. As you begin your journey to total healing through Christ, what small and specific goals have you set for yourself to monitor your progress?
Goal setting and sharing:
List 3 goals that you would like to accomplish (at home, at work, with family, etc) that will allow you to live out your purpose in regards to making your journey through healing one of endurance:
Editor’s Wanted!
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- Edit 2 articles a month.
- 1 monthly online meeting with the CW writing/editing team
CREATED WOMAN AGUST LINE UP: HEALING/SELF-CARE
Self-care is not selfish!
Self-care most often requires us to take steps towards understanding our hurts, disappointments, griefs, or life transitions. It’s not selfish, it’s a necessity. For you and the ones who are around you.
August theme is all about self-care. Yes, it might actually be called ‘Healing’ but aren’t they the same?
We believe we cannot be our best self unless we embrace the beauty of God’s healing power. By walking through and in His grace, we experience healing, strength, peace and restoration ultimately bringing life to others in our family and community.
Don’t walk alone, your tribe is right here and we want to walk beside you.
Isaiah 43:2 (NIV):When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Podcasts
August 13th, Marcie Elliott-Smith, Dreams never die Pt. 3
August 27th, Stacy McVane, Hustle To Healing
Weekly Devotionals every Monday & Wednesday:
- Heal Yo' Self Before You Wreck Yo' Self
- Untangling Hurts & Losses
- Raise A Hallelujah
- The Fine Art Of Healing Slowly
- Girls Gone Loose
- The Overwhelming Fear I thought Would Never End
- Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired