What pain has taught me about God’s faithfulness

” Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

(James 1:2-4)

I recently had my gall bladder removed.  I found out that I had gall stones when rushing to the emergency room one night in excruciating pain.  I could tell from the pain that I was going to need some type of surgery but I wasn’t sure what kind.  I just wanted relief and was excited to get it.  Little did I know that the path that would follow was going to be mentally and physically challenging for me in every way.

As I write this, I am still healing and have my daily struggles but I have become so grateful for this challenging time and all God has taught me.  I’ve realized that every time I have grown in a deeper relationship with Jesus it’s been in a time of pain, whether physically, emotionally or mentally.  I am grateful for the pain because those are the times that I rely on Him more than ever and He shows himself so faithful.

When things are perfect, it’s easy not talk to Him as much as when things get rough.  I truly believe this is one of the main reasons we go through trials.

The physical pain has helped me to talk to Him constantly and also hear His voice in ways I know I wouldn’t when things are smooth sailing.  I am desperately dependent on Him to help me each day.  I have battled feeling overwhelming sadness from not being productive or as interactive with my kids as I would like. In this, He showed me that many times my sense of purpose comes from productivity and how good of a job I feel like I’m doing as a wife, mother and friend.

However, I’ve realized that  my identity was in those things more than Him. The Bible tells me in 1 Peter 2:9 that ” you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession..”  That is such an amazing thing and where my identity should come from.

Also, my surgery has had some complications with healing and I’ve had pain almost every time I eat.  As a person who is obsessed with food, this has been incredibly difficult to not be able to “comfort” eat.

He has shown me how much I have worshiped food in my life.  Food has been a comforting tool for me.  Every time I am sad or upset I run to my favorite foods and it seems to make me feel happier.  In the past week, I’ve seen that my need for God is way bigger than my need for food.  It’s helped me put food back in the place where it should be.

Another lesson He has taught me in this time, is how He truly will provide all of my needs.  He tells me to “Cast all my cares on Him, for He cares for me ( 1 Peter 5:7).  I worried so much before the surgery about my kids and their schedules, my husband getting off enough time from work, and how we were all going to function with all I normally do for my family.  I decided to leave it all in His hands and He provided meals from friends, family and our church for 2 weeks!! My husband was able to take off a week to help me and has taken over every possible responsibility! We have even had others help carpool our kids to and from school.  He has taken care of me in every possible way.  He provided every need when I left my concerns at His feet. 

There are so many situations like this where I waste so much time worrying about how things are going to work out but every time God is faithful to take care of me above and beyond what I even thought I needed.

I am so grateful for times like this that are so challenging and God shows us that He always has our backs, that he cares so greatly for us and will never let us down! We truly can rely on Him! He is so faithful!!

Need tips for challenging times?! Check out!  “What to do when you feel discouraged?”

**Share with us a lesson you learned in a time of pain or sickness? Comment below.