Abolish is a pretty strong word. It sounds complete and permanent, defined as to do away with or put an end to, likened to words such as wipe out, eradicate, erase, kill, terminate, end, annihilate, extinguish, destroy, put the kabosh on, and ZAP, as well as nullify, cancel, and repeal. In my post Getting to the Root of the Problem, I expressed my excitement at hearing that my physical therapist believes that the pain I’ve been having will vanish if I follow the treatment plan.
After two weeks of avoiding my favorite spot for reading, praying, crocheting, and scrolling through Facebook, I began a new prescribed exercise, then another, and was doing OK during the day, until nighttime pain returned with a vengeance, preventing sleep, prompting doubt about the effectiveness of the plan.
Sit Here,
Not Here!
I asked my PT for some help and was told to stick to the plan and put up with my body’s objections to new activity until relief comes. I assured him that I am not giving up. At home, son Kyle reminded me of the surprising phraseology in my instructions.
(emphasis added by me)
Abolish is a pretty strong word. The obvious confidence of the professional boosted my own. I’m ready to wipe out, extinguish, even ZAP this pain through daily persistence and occasional sacrifice, believing that the end result will be good, that healing and strength will come. I hope that my future will be better for it, but realize that in this life, pain happens.
But God has given me a hope and a future that includes permanent ABOLISHMENT of pain!
I’m holding a group study of John Eldredge’s book All Things New in my living room this summer. My friends and I are daring to imagine the future that God has promised in the pages of The Bible, a future that is promised to those who love Jesus and trust him for eternal life. When this life ends and mortality is replaced by immortality, these aches and pains will cease. Emotional, as well as physical pain will end. Here are the words recorded by John the apostle of Jesus in the last pages of The Bible.
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:1-5
PAIN ABOLISHED
(To my readers who responded to my post about my pain by assuring me of their prayers, THANK YOU. I wasn’t asking for that, but humbly accept and appreciate your concern and believe that God has heard.)