While you are stuck

I’m feeling especially burdened this morning for people who feel like I did for so many years.  I felt so stuck, so trapped.  I didn’t have much hope my life circumstances would ever change.  Lack of finances, lack of job opportunities,  bad health and more obstacles can make the idea of moving on and getting out of isolation seem impossible.

The debilitating back pain I battled three long years made me feel that way.  Walking from my bedroom to the bathroom I could barely handle, so walking to the neighbor’s to have a chat so I wouldn’t feel so isolated?  Impossible.   So I had to learn how to cope, how to hold on until things did get better.

One thing I did was I sat down and made a list one day of things I could control.  I could control my attitude.  I could control my words.  I could pray.  I could write letters.  I could read books and expand my mind.  I could expand my vocabulary.  I homeschooled my son during those three years as I lay on my side or my back most of the time.  I started writing letters to a prisoner and offered him as much encouragement as I could.  I didn’t have much money, but I managed to sponsor one child through World Vision.  Somehow I knew helping others was a key to getting out of the pit I was in.

I read books about people who were prisoners of war.  They survived by developing routines.  They’d exercise, they did whatever they could to keep their minds active.  My circumstances weren’t as bad as that, but I decided their ways of coping were worth emulating.  I found exercises I could do and little by little I got stronger.

Another thing I learned in this valley was the power of thankfulness.  Chronic pain has a way of making us focus on nothing but the pain until we despair of life itself. But I was determined to find something to be thankful for and I found reasons for rejoicing all around me.  Sometimes it was a bird singing outside my window.  Other times it was a note from a faraway friend.  And I could always conjure up gratitude for God and His Word.

I remember reading Psalm 1 during this time.  In verse 3, it said if I delighted in God’s Word, I’d be like a tree planted by waters.  Even in times of drought, I’d bear fruit and everything I’d do would prosper.  Well, I sure felt like I was in a drought and some prospering would be a pleasant change of pace.

So I dug into God’s Word.  And that’s where my healing really began.  No, my back didn’t heal immediately, in fact it took three years before I could stand, walk or sit for more than a few minutes without excruciating pain.  But I found because of the blood of Jesus I was holy and blameless.  I was seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus.  I had the mind of Christ.  I was a saint, even. A saint, imagine that.  I didn’t have to earn God’s approval.  I already had it.

When I look back now at those years, I am thankful for what I learned.  I wouldn’t ever want to go back to those days, but I do know I grew  some long, stable roots then.

If chronic pain or other chains are holding you back from breaking free of isolation, I encourage you to take some baby steps toward emancipation. Make these baby steps part of your daily routine and then add more.  The Word says that as you draw near to God, He draws near to you.  And one of these days you will walk out of your valley, stronger and better.