I know that a lot of people I care about are going through some hard times right now….
and rather than try to find a way to say,
“I understand,”
I thought I’d repost something that will prove I do.
Originally seen here.
Recently, Jimmy and I were talking about how it is really uncomfortable to feel pain.
I really believe that we are such a painless society.
When we have a headache, we take medicine.
When we feel bad, we look for a way to feel good.
Pain sucks and we will do anything we can to make it go away.
I’m certainly no exception.
Hellllo???
I love love love epidurals.
So, we got to talking about God’s timing,
and how sometimes,
he doesn’t exactly move as quickly as we want him to.
We pray, we medicate, we seek our own way,
and yet the hurt is still there.
We wonder,
why isn’t God taking the pain when he is plenty capable?
I’ve been in that place.
Almost two years ago, what started as a panic attack
(after spending a week watching and helping to care for my grandpa in his final days),
slowly turned into month after painful month of intense and constant anxiety.
Every single moment was painful.
I wanted to sleep, yet I couldn’t.
I wanted to eat, and I couldn’t.
I wanted to cry, but there were no tears.
I was in this prison, praying out to God that he would just take it away.
I didn’t feel like myself.
The real me was somewhere inside, trapped, and I wanted out.
When I realized the pain wasn’t going anywhere,
my prayers went from,
“Please, take this from me!”
to,
“Just please get me through this.
Help me to learn the lessons…
Mostly, just help me to make it through the next day,
or hour,
or five minutes,
sometimes even through the next few seconds…..”
For me, there is no pain greater than emotional pain.
And yet despite how incredibly awful I felt inside,
I knew I had nothing that I was truly unhappy about.
My grandpa was in heaven, finally released from his disease.
I felt incredibly surrounded with love by my friends and family who knew what I was going through.
And both Jimmy and Taylor were unbelievably sweet and gentle with me during that time.
Everything was amazing.
Besides, of course, the fact that I was in deep emotional pain.
And yet in my pain, I learned to trust.
I learned to live moment by moment.
I learned humility.
I learned the true meaning of joy.
I learned to be content in even the worst of circumstances.
I learned that what doesn’t break me only serves to make me stronger.
I learned more than anything,
that sometimes,
it’s just neccessary to feel the pain.
And it’s important to trust in God’s timing.
Even when it doesn’t seem like he’s working,
He is.
I promise.
And in the end,
he will bring beauty from the pain.
© 2010 “Le Musings of Moi”
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Loved it, love you!
Just so you know, I felt like I had nothing to contribute to the blogging world today – and then I read what you wrote. I am directing everyone to your blog because this is the most inspirational post I have ever read. This is EXACTLY what I needed to read today. And you may see this as just some passing commenter… but Summer… I NEEDED this!! Thank you so much 🙂 LOVE this post!
What a beautiful post. I really, really needed to read this right now.
Thank you.
xxx
I agree with you. 🙂
I’m glad you’re happy now!
beautiful! nice blog!! 🙂
The pain is SO difficult! But you are absolutely right, you become stronger when you come out on the other side of it.
I wish I had a positive attitude like you about my dads 11 months of unemployment. Its been the hardest thing my family has ever gone through and I can’t seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I know God has a plan but right now I just can’t see the end to this for my dad and millions of other people. I can’t handle the rude comments like “why doesn’t he just get a job at Home Depot or Walmart” well guess what, they aren’t hiring either.
But thank you for sharing your positive outlook on pain, it gave me some glimmer of hope for today!
sometimes I forget that other people miss my dad…Summer, I wish I could hug you and remind you that you were very, very special to your Grandpa. I could see that special connection and I share your pain and your loss. We were/are blessed to have him in our life but unlike earthly people, they do leave us, our Heavenly Father never does.
Love
Rochelle
I love this post. And that tattoo is AMAZING.
Beautifully written. Love the tattoo, but love the sentiment behind it even more.
So many people are struggling & just wanting to give up. Pain is something we need to go through in order to heal. Like you said, once we’ve healed we’re stronger b/c of it.
Fabulous, dear Summer! Such wisdom from your painful experience. God is good, all the time!
I’m sorry your friends are hurting and I hope that things get better for them soon!
that was beautiful. I never thought about pain that way but we are really uncomfortable with it. I think that probably stems from the Fall because before then, there was no pain. And so it’s really unnatural for us to have pain.
Beauty…thanks….Suz
What a beautiful post….and I just love your tattoo.
Absolutly a wonderful post.
I just came over to visit from Ams “Surviving Long Distance Love” and I’m so glad I did. Thank you for posting this beautiful post – It really helped me out today.
I’ll be coming over to read more often.
You post was exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you for your inspirational words! My mother used to tell me that God never gives you more than you can handle and that even if you don’t feel strong in the moment, the cross he has given you will not break you.
When we are suffering it is so hard for us to understand that there is a reason for what we are going through, but there always is. We have the opportunity to learn and grow from every difficult situation that comes our way. And when your struggles feel unbearable just remember “this too shall pass.” Life is short and neither the happy times nor the hard times will last forever. You must learn to live in the moment. Enjoy the happy times – learn from the difficult times and always stay close to God.
Ann
http://separatedbyoceans.blogspot.com/
I’m so glad you reposted this. I think it’s such a great post, and I know it speaks to so many people.
You amaze me at how you can take your situations, your feelings, your pain, your joy, your thoughts and put them into such beautiful and touching words. That is a gift. You are a gift.
-xo
I feel like you were speaking directly to me. Thanks Summer. It does seem that there are so many out there struggling right now. Time to rise up and persevere!
What an awesome post. And that tattoo is amazing.
Beautiful post my dear! And love love love the tattoo yet again:-)
I went on that same journey with anxiety and learned the same lessons. I can now count it as one of the greatest blessings of my life.
Yes, He will, even in the middle when I don’t understand!
JUST the thing I needed to read today. I am already feeling emotionally better than I was 5 minutes ago. xoxo
You are such an encouraging blogger Summer! You actually phrase things how I do sometimes, love it. Thank you for this – sometimes I go through anxiety and you are right. God will get us through it. One day at a time and trusting in Him. Thank you for this!
Beautiful post!
Love this post. Thanks for sharing!!
I love this post! It’s hard to trust that you’ll come out of whatever bad thing you’re going through, but eventually there is light breaking through the clouds…