Maundy Thursday, April 14
Where Does It Hurt?
Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray over him after anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will restore him to health; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. —James 5:13-15 (CSB)
As I sat in church one Sunday, I was amazed by the title of the sermon, “Where does it hurt?” As a matter of fact I almost laughed out loud. You see, the week before I was in excruciating pain. I had pain in my legs, right hip, lower back and my left heel. It hurt when I walked, sat, or even slept. I was so frustrated by the pain in my body that I wrote four poems about my pain. I prayed and cried out to God and begged him for some relief.
God is so awesome! He led me straight to Amazon. I found a posture belt to help with lower back, leg pain and sciatica. I also found compression socks. At this point I would have tried anything. I even started seeing a chiropractor for the pain in my right hip. He also told me what was wrong with my heel and told me what brace to get. I got so unstable on my feet that not one, but three coworkers told me to get a cane. So I did, and I never leave home without my new little friend.
Yes, I still have pain, but God is helping me through it, and allowing me to experience moments free from pain. I’m also in the process of getting the right diagnosis for my right hip. Yes, it hurts, but I believe that God is healing me. In time I will see a significant difference, so I will remain faithful and patient.
Dear God, Thank you for your healing power. Thank you for braces and medications that ease the pain. Thank you for the doctors who help diagnose what’s wrong. Thank you for healing us from each of our ailments. In Jesus name, amen.
L. Darlene Dickson