SHELBY TOWNSHIP – Years ago, I injured my back when I was reaching to throw something away, my chair rolled out from under me and I fell straight down, compressing my lower lumbar. Through the years, my back has had its ups and downs, but recently it’s been a constant area of struggle.
I just completed my second round of physical therapy in the span of a year and a half. When I began, I didn’t begin with a positive mindset or even a great attitude. When you struggle with chronic pain, sometimes it’s hard to keep your focus higher than your situation. This round of therapy did not start off the same as the therapy I underwent previously. It was frustrating, hard, and I was ready to quit. I was so focused on myself, that I couldn’t see what God was actually trying to do.
Several weeks went by and I kept pouring my heart out to God, not understanding why my healing wasn’t coming. Then just as our loving God does, He began to speak to me about my healing. He showed me that if He hasn’t removed this pain from my life, there must be a reason why He is allowing it to remain.
My prayers began to shift. I continued to pray for healing, but I also began to ask God to reveal to me how he wanted to use this pain in my life. All of a sudden, the Holy Spirit began illuminating the conversations I had been having with my physical therapist. God reminded me that if I didn’t have back pain, then I wouldn’t know the people at physical therapy. So, about halfway through my time at physical therapy, my perspective shifted. I began to pray for opportunities to minister to my therapist.
In John 5:17 Jesus says,
“My father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.”
God is always at work around us, and He wants to use everything we go through in life to minister to others. It can be hard for us to look past ourselves. That is why we need the Holy Spirit to help us see where God is at work.
My back is the worst in the morning when I first get up. Sometimes it will stay that way all day long, and other times it will loosen up as the day progresses. My therapist told me every morning when I first get up, before I shower or do anything else, I should lay over the exercise ball face down to stretch out my back. Of course, at this point I am willing to do just about anything!
To my surprise it did help to decompress my back! Around day 4 or day 5 of doing this exercise first thing in the morning, the Holy Spirit impressed on my heart that I was beginning my day in a surrendered posture. Just as much as I needed to rely on this posture for my physical healing, I also needed to begin my days in a surrendered posture before the Lord.
Whoa! I couldn’t believe this revelation! I felt the Holy Spirit impress on my heart the vital importance of surrendering my day to God in prayer, and inviting Him to own my day – even before I go to the Bible.
With this revelation, my back pain didn’t seem to consume me anymore. I realized that God was actually speaking to me through my pain. He also showed me He has a purpose for it, and that made all the difference in the world. I then felt the Holy Spirit tell me to share that revelation with my therapist.
So, on my final day of physical therapy I was able to share with my therapist how he had a much higher purpose than just my physical healing, but that God used him to show me something much deeper. Then I proceeded to invite him to church.
Now I begin my days over the exercise ball, not just for my physical health but also for my spiritual health. I begin every morning with a prayer of surrender. I encourage you to implement a prayer like this into your morning routine. Attach it to something you are already doing and then watch God work!
God,
Today I surrender my day to you. Open my eyes to see where you are already working. Give me a heart to minister to the people you have put right in my path. I also pray for courage to act when you invite me into your plans. Help me to hold my plans loosely so that I can be available to fulfill the plans you have for me. I ask that you fill me with your Spirit today so that I can discern your will.
Amen
God wants to use you! We just have to look past ourselves and our circumstances to see where He is already at work in our regular daily activities and join Him.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Karen is married to Scott Blanchard, pastor of Lakepointe Church, and moved from Florida to Michigan in the summer of 2009 to plant Lakepointe Church in Shelby Township. She enjoys mentoring and discipling women and also leads women’s life groups through her church. She is passionate about helping women find their purpose in who God created them to be. She is on staff at Lakepointe Church and loves being part of what God is doing in the Metro Detroit area!