Thursday, February 09, 2012

Sometimes it Has to Hurt More Before We Can Heal

Well, Mindy seems to be doing better.

Shortly before I left for Texas, I spent much of my time caring for that little dog.
One of her front toenails had snagged and - try as we might - we just couldn't get her to let us clip it. From Mindy's behavior, it was very apparent her toe was hurting and we thought, If we can just clip it, surely the pain will be relieved. But it hurt her (and us!) too much to do it.
I ended up taking her to the vet, where she was "put under" so the vet could clip the nail off.
And that's really what Mindy needed. The nail had to come off so the irritation would go away and the healing could begin.

As I watched my little dog, and shivered each time she winced, I sensed there was a lesson for me in her circumstance. A lesson for all of us, really.

Do you see it?

Just like Mindy, I know when I am in a painful situation I just want the pain to stop. And so I do everything I can to avoid the pain. But sometimes the very thing which will allow me to get better - to heal - is a movement which causes me to hurt even more.
And I don't like to hurt more. So, like Mindy I cry and squirm and do whatever I can to avoid hurting more. Not realizing that healing will follow. If I just endure the hurting.

Is anyone with me here?

I don't know what you're facing today. Or maybe it'll be tomorrow... Either way, I pray God will give you the strength to trust Him through the pain, and to believe He has the power to bring the healing.

Karen

5 comments:

Leah Adams said...

Poor Mindy. Makes me hurt to even read about it. Yes, sometimes the healing comes through the pain. Not always pleasant but needful.

Jodi@ underthegeorgiasun.com said...

Brandi won't allow us to clip her nails on a good day, so I feel you on this one in that respect.

And in the deeper meaning, I'm about to go through a lot of growth and set backs. I can see it, I've been aware of it and all I can do it rely on God to get me through. And I know He will, but it's going to be painful for sure. I just pray that through the pain, I will grow closer to God and learn to lean on Him more and more. :o)

Karen Hossink said...

Leah - And God always knows what we need. Wonder how many times He looks at me and says, I know this is going to hurt, but I have to pull it off before you can get any better.

Jodi - God has always been faithful. And always will be. As you enter this painful time I pray God will delight your heart with His nearness, His power, His ability to grow you and shape you into the woman HE has created you to be. Yes. Hold onto HIM, my friend!

Heaven said...

I remember when Dylan fell and scraped his hand. His fingernail was hanging by just a piece. With every movement, it hurt him more. When air hit the fresh skin, he screamed because it hurt so bad. The doctor decided to remove the nail at our clinic visit.

It was amazing because as soon as the doctor pulled the nail out from its bed, his pain subsided. The doctor said it was because the nerves were irritated by the slightest movement of the hanging fingernail, that when it was removed, it released the pressure, therefore, releasing the pain.

As I read your post and think about the situation I'm facing today, I'm grateful that we have the best Great Physician who knows what we need...when we need it. I, too, want to squirm and avoid my pain, yet I thank God that He isn't leaving me without Himself...

Thankful we can remain "teachable" together :) Love ya

Edie said...

I hope Mindy is feeling better and I hope and pray all is well with you. <3

Being lazy and not signing in but you know who I am. :)