As I suspected, I have received an avalanche of commentary on this series of posts on Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain. Some has been positive and others..well…not so much.
Let me say again, I understand the pain. I understand no one asks for this, and I understand that my posts may have upset you. I also understand you may not agree with me because your experience is different than what I am saying. However, truth is not defined by our experience. Truth is truth and our experience never triumphs over the truth of God’s Word.
What is your daily goal? Is it to simply get through the day or to feel better? Is your goal to get rid of the pain? If so, I would ask you to consider that you are aiming at the wrong goal.
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NASB)
Is it possible that God expects you to bring Him glory in the midst of your pain? As I read the Bible, I see that God clearly expects us to glorify Him in all other kinds of trials and suffering, so I can only conclude that there is no exception for chronic pain and Fibromyalgia.
Glorifying God in the midst of Fibro would be having a godly response to the pain. Look to the Psalms for help in understanding how godly men have done that in the past. Psalm 13 gives voice to the suffering of the Psalmist, asks God to intervene, and concludes with a declaration of trust and a commitment to respond rightly.
But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:5-6 (NASB)
Other Psalms (77; 88) follow the same pattern, and each one helps us understand that our suffering is not unique (1 Cor 10:13) and that God is faithful to preserve us and help us to find hope in the faithfulness and promises of God.
I shall remember the deeds of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds.… You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples. Psalm 77:11-12, 14 (NASB)
God will give you the ability and the grace to renew your mind in this manner should you desire to think differently. How you respond to pain is a revelation of what is going on in your heart, and if as you look at your responses it becomes clear to you that they are not God honoring then changes must take place in your heart before there will be changes in your life.
You must believe that it is possible for you to receive enough grace from God that will allow you function in a God-honoring way despite your pain and fatigue.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NASB)
Those aren’t just words, they are truth! This means that even though you hurt, you can still love others- you can still serve. Having chronic pain or Fibromyalgia does not exempt us from being His hands, His mouthpiece, His feet, and to show His love to others. Of course the way you do this will look different than the way that a non-sufferer does. You may not have the stamina or physical ability that another woman has but that doesn’t mean you sit back and do nothing.
You still must strive to put the needs of others before yourself, you are still called to love others and some suggestions for how to do that would be:
- Offer to pray for others. Get your name on the prayer list at your church and become a woman of prayer. Pray at home, or host a prayer group at your home. If possible, go to the prayer group outside of your home.
- Send cards of encouragement to sick people or those who are also suffering and can’t get out. Many shut-ins feel very alone and cut off from their church family.
- Offer to do light office work at your child’s school. Having photocopying, organizing, filing, or other light-duty tasks are always appreciated by a busy secretary.
- Prepare or organize meals for new mom’s, sick, or the elderly.
These are but a few ideas that you can put into practice to obey the important command of the Lord Jesus Christ, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ Matthew 22:39 (NASB)
We will continue on tomorrow.
We are not a licensed counseling agency, nor are we psychologically or medically trained therapists. We offer ‘pastoral’ counseling intended to bring life change through heart change.
I do agree to a certain point. You should understand also that the body is a tmeple of the HOly Spirit and we need to care and nurture it as well.
Many people might confuse what your saying to think that you want them to IGNORE their pain and suffering and just keep going about your day because God's grace should be enough.
But you have to be more clear about this for TWO major reasons.
The first is that not all disorders/illness are meant to last a life time, but sometimes simply so that God may be glorified.
EX; Blind man in the bible that Jesus said he was blind not by his own sin or that of his parent but so that God could be glorified.
the Second reason being that having said the first reason, not everyone will be able to function just because they keep telling themselves I have to live by God's grace.
That is not something we can just tell ourselves we have. We have to ask for it and by true FAITH we can obtain it.
But if you are saying to yourself by God's grace i can go on, yet the faith is not in you and you are still living in pain, then by no means are you going to be able to go on.
Not clarifying these things may even cause believers to question their faith in God.
So please be specific and let the Holy Spirit guide you in your words if you truly believe that it was the LOrd's purpose for you to write this blog.
Other than those two things, i do find that there is some truth in what you say.
I suffer from fibro disorder and it is very painful. Most days I am ok. But when I over do it (with my son or work, church or house chores), I get really bad flares that leave me almost unfunctional for a few days.
However, I have come to understand that first and formost, nothing is impossible for our God to heal, change, break, and or mend. Including fibro.
So i walk each day in faith that I can and will be healed, and that as the bible says, it is in my weakness that he will be glorified and I will receive new strength.
All this I believe whole heartily with the understanding that we as human fail (die) and hurt and become ill. That is why we rest, and recuperate too.
I stood home from church tonight because the pain is just to much to sit on a small bench during the service.
But it doesnt keep me from looking for ways to ministrate to others or be ministrated and hear word of the Lord.
No matter our situation, the Lord will find a way for us to receive the message He has for us.
God bless you!
hello my name is cara, last year i started suffering with depresson, id have trouble with depression and fatigue since my early 20's , az 24 i accepted jesus as my lord (or so i thought…) ive asked God to heal me but still in pain, im currently ran out of pain medication so currently going through a mild opiate withdrawal (i wouldnt wish this on my worst enenmy) its really questioned if im saved, i thought did i say it wrong, am i unsaveable, am i posscessed?? also thro depression ive had incorrect beliefs shall we say, thinking i was physic, having special powers. i also messed around with witchcraft when i was a teenager..actually since i was very young always had a 'six sense' i dont know perhaps im just a overly sensitve personsoul and this may be linked with the fibromyalgia, as its developed ive changed with it, i cant smoke or drink ive made dietry changes, perhaps this may be a blessing but every day is a rollarcoaster and i truly truvly desire to have Gods love, God fasinates me and I can talk about him forever. I dont love him like i should, i know this. Sorry for posting this i just find comfort talking to others who heart is in christ. thank you for listening to me and giving me your time i really do appreiate it. py sorry for spelling xx
I know this is an old article, but thank you for writing it. I suspect I have fibromyalgia, but I’m hesitant to see my doctor because she has already suggested medications and therapists and I’m not interested in that path of healing. Your article was exactly what I needed. A reminder that I can still serve God and glorify Him despite my pain. While I strive for better health, and constantly work at keeping focused on Christ and others, it is hard to not get discouraged from the pain. I’m looking forward to reading other articles you have written on this subject.