I began my day with an aching body, a stiff neck, flushed cheeks, and a throbbing head. The familiar feeling of a flare-up hit me like a Mack truck, and I was blindsided by Fibromyalgia once again. That led me to write about a day in the life of a Christian with chronic pain.
I’ve been sticking to a healthy eating plan for a few weeks and have been doing physical therapy consistently for a week now to ease the pain caused by my chronic back issues. These have both helped me to have more energy and move a little easier.
I was hoping that I had found a way to get my body healthy and say goodbye to Fibromyalgia for good.
How very foolish of me.
Fibro Frustrations
This flare-up, like so many before it, struck without warning. It was unprovoked and unwanted, and left me feeling:
- Emotional
- Exhausted
- Exasperated
It’s a miracle I can string these words together to describe the frustrations of Fibromyalgia. I can’t have a complete conversation because I can’t recall what I wanted to say. The item I just thought of to add to my grocery list has fallen out of my brain. And the pounding headache makes it so difficult to concentrate.
I can handle being tethered to my heating pads, alternating between hot and cold therapy, and taking several different vitamins and medications to address the long list of ailments that trouble me. But the cognitive impairments are awful, and coping with “Fibro fog” is the most difficult part of this cringe-worthy condition for me.
I rely heavily on my brain and the ability God has given me to study, write, and teach the Bible, so I don’t have the time to waste being indecisive and unable to concentrate or communicate clearly.
So I pray.
Praying for my chronic pain
I ask the Lord to give me clarity, to help me focus, and to fill me with His Spirit so I can endure the day with peace, despite my circumstances. Prayer invites Him to hold my hand and walk with me through the fog.
I don’t pray for healing anymore. Not because I don’t believe that God can heal me, but because I don’t believe He will. Years of praying for relief from chronic pain brought me to a point of desiring the healing more than the Healer himself. That’s not a good place to be, so now I pray for strength to endure and faithfully fulfill the ministry He has called me to.
God can do anything and He could heal me of chronic pain and illness in an instant if He wants to. I trust His sovereignty. But I’ve come to the realization that my suffering is for my good and His glory, even if I don’t understand the reasoning behind the affliction.
A Right Mind on Affliction
I love that the Bible speaks to every issue of life and helps me guard my heart and renew my mind. The psalmist knew what it was like to suffer affliction, and this is what he had to say about it:
Psalm 119:67 KJV~ Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
Psalm 119:71 KJV~ It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
Psalm 119:75 KJV~ I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
What an amazing attitude to have! On most flare-up days I’m grumbling, but sometimes I respond with praise to God for His goodness and grace.
It is good for me to have these infirmities because it drives me closer to my Savior.
Anything that makes me need God is a blessing. ~ Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth
His Grace is Sufficient
God continually reminds me that His grace is sufficient for me.
Through the years of serving the Lord while suffering from chronic pain, God has taught me several important lessons. I’ve learned to just trust God despite how I feel and to turn to Him for strength to suffer well. God has also taught me to humble myself and ask for help when I need it, and most importantly, that all my hope is in Jesus alone.
I long for the day to see the Lord face to face, to receive my glorified body, and walk the streets of gold without pain. I can’t wait to be in paradise with my Jesus and praise the Lord for all of eternity.
Until then, I will walk by faith and not by sight, and keep praying intensely for eyes to see His good hand of favor upon me.
2Corinthians 12:9 KJV~ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
All my hope is in Jesus. No one else. Nothing else. Only Jesus. Click To TweetThank you for taking the time to read about a day in the life of a Christian with chronic pain. I hope this was an encouragement for you in your own difficult times. God is good and His grace is enough for anything that comes your way.
More on a Christian with chronic pain:
Strength for the weary: My battle with chronic illness
Grateful Over Griping: Cultivating thankfulness in the midst of chronic pain.
5 Reasons You Should Trust God to Write Your Story
The Importance of a Sober Mind for Spiritual Stability
Recommended Resources:
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Pray With Confidence
Prayer is absolutely essential for those suffering from chronic pain and illness. If you would like to grow in your prayer life, then check out Pray with Confidence. It’s a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles, and I am one of the 30 monthly contributors. Here are a few links I think will be a blessing to you:
3 Short Prayers for Spiritual Stability
2 Things to Remember to Find Peace in Chaos
19 Bible Verses that Reveal the Will of God
15 Bible Verses About Rest When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed
You also want to check out the prayer resources, Bible verses, and tough questions tabs. There are many great options to boost your spiritual growth!
Thank you Annie for reaching out to people who chronically suffer. I have suffered now for more than 20 years, becoming disabled for work over 15 years ago. I have suffered much loss along the way but the steady increase in intimacy with our suffering Savior through it all has been priceless. God has used the affliction to rid me of so many superfluous desires and temptations and distractions and to focus me on him so that I can see more clearly how much he loves us. If prayer is of value and I believe it is we who are christians and who suffer can become prayer warriors for people. Our prayers are of great value and when we pray for others we come to love them more honestly and more deeply. Pray pray pray.
Thank you for sharing your experience,Chuck. I appreciate your insight! I agree, prayer is a vital discipline with extraordinary results. It is a ministry we all can and should engage in. Many blessings to you! 😊
I have had chronic pain for years
I have fibromyalgia, nerve pain in both legs and back, chronic restless legs, all due to spinal stenosis and surgery
sometimes I get very very tired of the pain
everything you said I Am able to honestly say at times, however to be honest there are days like today where I truly struggle and feeling I have no purpose. I have been on pain management for years. The dr has prescribed oxy,morphine, gabapentin, and mirapex . I resist taking oxy and morphine until I can’t stand the pain any longer
I sit here with my Bible and I pray and listen and God renews but those with chronic pain have to know it’s a daily even an hourly Fight that Has to be bathed in prayer which sometimes is not saying anything but focusing on His word and thanking Him even when I don’t feel thankful
My pain limits me yet at times I just keep doing things, pressing on knowing I will pay for it later
Only my husband knows how much pain I’m in
I choose not to share it too much with others
This has helped to write about it
Thank the Lord for His peace and other Christians who share truthfully
Thank you for your honesty
Peggy
I’m so sorry you’re in such pain Peggy. I’ll pray for you! Thank you for reading and commenting, I appreciate your willingness to share. Blessings to ya!
Oh Annie, I’m so sorry that you are having to deal with this. Chronic pain, fatigue, and brain fog are debilitating symptoms, and can certainly try our patience- not to mention our faith (if we’re honest).
I suffered FOR YEARS- eight to ten, very long, painful, frustrating years, to be exact, with very similar symptoms. I don’t actually know what it was that I suffered from, because I was never given a diagnosis. I spent so much time in and out of dr offices, being tested for everything under the sun, but always coming up void..
If I could offer you any bit of encouragement, if would be this.. PLEASE don’t stop praying for healing!! I know that it can be exhausting and so very discouraging when we don’t see any progress, but I truly believe in the power of our prayers to move the heart of God. Persisting in prayer! We can still trust in God’s sovereignty in the process, but never stop praying for the miracle that you want to see!!
I hope that doesn’t offend, or frustrate you. Who knows what God’s plans for you consist of? Yes, He can certainly still use you in the meantime, and be glorified through your suffering, and persistent faith in His goodness.. But who knows if your miracle might not be right around the bend?!
You are such a gift and a voice of wisdom to so many, and I am thankful that you are sharing your story! There are SO many women who deal with these sort of ailments, and can use your encouragement! Bless you, friend. You are in my prayers!! <3
Rachel, thank you so much for your sweet and Spirit-filled words of encouragement! They mean so much to me!! I appreciate your prayers, support, and words of wisdom. I have a post in mind explaining why I don’t pray for healing anymore. But I will take your words to heart. I know God can do anything!! Thank you again for being a blessing! ❤️️
Hi Annie! Your words inspire as you soldier through suffering, sustained by the grace of God. Thank you for sharing your heart and your journey with us. I’m blessed to be your neighbor at Be Thee Inspired.
Thank you for the encouragement Joy! You’re a blessing and I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. 🙂
As someone who is living with a chronic illness herself this post hits really close to home. Thank you for sharing your journey. Thank you for reminding me that I am not alone in my struggles and that God’s grace is enough to sustain us.
Praise the Lord. I’m sorry you have to walk this path of infirmities as well. But all the while Christ holds our hand. Praying for you! I’ll be writing more about this, so if you’d like to read more, make sure you subscribe. Blessings to ya! 😊
Thank you so much for sharing this. I too suffer from Fibromyalgia, It isn’t easy and some days there is no amount of medicine, stretching, exersize, heat, etc that will help. I have to ask God to help me get through the day. I’ll be praying for you and the ladies that have commented as well. God bless.
I’ll be praying for you as well! Thank you for reading and commenting. I know there are so many women who struggle with chronic pain in silence. I hope to help them look to Jesus in the midst of the daunting days. God bless you too!
Annie, I too suffer from fibromyalgia and neck pain and can really struggle when I have flare ups. For me, management of stress, sleep, exercise, massage therapy, quiet, and hot/cold treatments have been helpful in minimiizing the flare ups and the pain. And as you share, trusting in God and turning to Him is the greatest resource for spiritual and emotional health. Thanks for your post.
Thank you for reading and commenting! It’s easier to share the personal parts of your life when you know that other people can relate. I would love to add regular massages to my health care regiment but I just can’t afford it right now. I’ve only had one in my life, at the beginning of this year, and it was fabulous! Someday I hope to be able to get one at least once a month. All of the ways you use to minimize your pain are so important. Thank you for sharing your experience with me as well. I have several posts in mind for the future. Keep an eye out! Blessings to ya! 😊
God lead me to your post. People think I’m crazy when I say things like this, but here’s how I know it’s true- I’ve been in and out of my doctor’s office for over a year, trying to figure out why I have pain, constant headaches, migraines that I never used to get, etc. I’ve been praying hard and often for healing, not knowing what is causing it. I’ve been praying and asking for God to “fix” me so that I can serve Him and take care of my family. I’ve been praying the wrong things. On my last doctor visit, she sent me home with a Fibromyalgia checklist (get a certain score or above, it’s definitely fibro). I have it. I haven’t gone back for my doctor to tell me that, but I’ve suspected it for several months and I have it. And I have not been suffering well. I have not accepted God’s sovereignty in this and have been complaining and asking Him to change it. I haven’t gone back to the doctor because I don’t WANT this, and I’m being stubborn and acting like I can make it go away if I don’t hear the doctor say the words.
God lead me to your post, to show me that I am not useless to His Kingdom, and to show me what I should be praying instead of throwing a hissy fit like I’ve been doing. God lead me to your post to drag me out of my selfishness and to see that He is still good, He is still God, and to pray for you.
Thank you for writing this. Thank you for the raw honesty of what fibro does and sharing how you cope. Thank you for teaching me to stop complaining and to start relying on the Lord for strength “to suffer well”.
Praise the Lord,I’m so glad it was a blessing to you! It’s the first of many articles on the subject. I’m so sorry you know how I feel. I went through all of those emotions as well. And I’ve had my fair share of hissy fits myself lol. And I don’t always suffer well. But I’m learning. I hope the coming messages will be a blessing to you as well. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss them. I’ll be praying for you!!😊
Hi Annie! So much of what you said echoes thoughts from my recent post. Yes living with an eternal perspective and the hope of a life untouched by pain or the sorrows of this world is such an awesome thing we have to look forward to in Christ! Thank you for sharing .I’m also learning that God doesn’t just take things away even though He can because the goal isn’t to make it easier for us but to grow us and conform us to the image of His Son as we persevere through trials and ultimately He gets the glory! I’m so blessed by your writing and encouraged. May God continue to use you mightily!
Praise the Lord! It’s all from Him and for Him. I was just telling my mom this morning that this light affliction was conforming me to the image of Christ and giving me a closer walk with Him. It’s a blessing even if it doesn’t feel like one. A post for another day! 😉
What a wonderful and touching article of faith and endurance. This article makes me think of the patience of Job. James 5:11 points out this point and tells us to be happy to endure. Satan continues to work against God’s children either by temptation, fear or pain or suffering. He wants to stop your Ministry. Praise God for the strength and faith that He has given you. Keep fighting and keep being a light of Christ. Just know that you have brothers and sisters in Christ praying for you and supporting you.
Thank you for the encouragement. You’re a blessing and I really appreciate your sweet words! 😊
I’m so sorry for your pain. Just my neck/shoulder has been hurting for a couple of weeks and I’m frustrated. I can’t imagine it being all over and way worse. I hope you get relief from this flare up soon.
Thank you! 😊