Hello ,
The following was written and graciously provided by my good friend, Rich Edison over at Encouraging Words For Today. It's such an uplifting devotional. I know you'll be blessed!
Moving last year took a toll on me. Somewhere in the midst of lifting heavy boxes and moving furniture I pulled something in my left shoulder
and my neck and I’ve been dealing with pain there ever since. I’ve tried heat and cold, stretching and muscle rubs and Ibuprofen and Tylenol. In the end, what has helped the most is the physical therapy I’ve been getting the last couple months.
The only problem with physical therapy is, sometimes it hurts! I’ve got
great PT’s, but even though they’re careful, sometimes when they massage the knots in my shoulder or stretch the tight muscles in my neck it’s not the most pleasant sensation. However, in the end it’s worth it. I feel so much better after a PT session and with each session my neck and shoulder keep getting better.
The
Bible tells us “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11 NIV).
Sometimes God, in His love for us, has to give us a little “therapy”, applying gentle pressure, so we will let go of
that cherished sin or stretching us out of our comfort zone, so we can reach higher heights in our walk with Him. It’s not always comfortable and sometimes it’s downright painful, but we must remember that God only “disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.” (vs. 10).
If I resist my
physical therapist’s efforts, just because they hurt a little, I will never achieve relief from my pain. The same is true when it comes to God’s work in our lives. It may be uncomfortable at times, but if we will “endure hardship as discipline” (vs. 7), we will receive ‘the end result of [our] faith, the salvation of [our] souls.” (1 Peter 1:9).
So, if “for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials”, don’t despair. “These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:6, 7).
So, hang in there, because even in the pain, God is working everything together for your good. (Romans 8:28).
Thank-you for this wonderful reminder, Rich!
Have a great day and God bless!
