Last Friday, I experienced a “first”. I had two wisdom teeth pulled out and opted to be completely put to sleep for the procedure. I had never been knocked out like that before. I don’t even remember closing my eyes. The last thing I remember is looking at the clock on the wall and it reading 11:15am. The next thing I hear is the surgeon asking me how I was doing. I looked at the clock and it read 11:50am. The painful event was over and I slept through all of it.
I have to say, it was a beautiful experience!
I have a love/hate relationship when it comes to the painful events in life. There’s a part of me that wishes we could sleep through the uncomfortable, the tragic, and the heartbreaking. For the record, I am thankful I was able to take a 35 minute nap while two teeth were being ripped extracted from my mouth. 🙂 Yet, there’s another part of me that knows from experience that God’s presence in the midst pain is a gift to be cherished.
God’s presence trumps pain.
As I typed that last sentence, tears came to my eyes. I hate pain. I long for the day when the pain we endure in this life is gone. And yet, each time the Lord has led me through one of life’s valleys, I have found beautiful peace because He was there walking in the valley with me. Sometimes, it’s in the valleys where we discover the stillest waters and the greenest meadows.
If you are going through a painful valley today, my prayer for you is that your feet will feel that water and your eyes will see those meadows.
It is well, it is well
Through the storm I am held
It is well, it is well
with my soul
We’re going there again today, to the place where beauty is often too big to put into words and yet we try again.
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Hi Eileen, wow, such a great truth here from having your teeth ripped, um, pulled out. Pain should draw us closer to Christ but its still not a pleasant experience. reat post Eileen
God bless
Tracy
ps: Isn’t it great our wisdom does not come from our teeth? 🙂
Oh boy, so glad wisdom doesn’t come from teeth. There would be no hope for me. Thanks, Tracy!
Eileen, it’s awesome that He is there is the pain. It reminds me that pain is temporary, but He is permanent.
“So we fix our eyes on what is not seen…” Love the comfort in those words. Thanks, Larry!
Looking back, it’s been those times in the valleys where I’ve discovered peace because I clung to Him tighter and desired Him more. There’s beauty in the ugly. Great truth here today!
“Beauty in the ugly” so true! He redeems it and brings us through it.
“God’s presence trumps pain.” Amen and Amen. I am climbing out of a valley, but I have green tea in hand 🙂 and the Holy Spirit working in my heart~I am going to make it. Love you Eileen and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Green tea does help! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
I hear your heart and resonate. I long for the day when pain is no more and Jesus presence is a physical reality. But I’m thankful for the moments in the dark when his light breaks in, I wouldn’t want to miss it!
I wouldn’t want to miss that either, Beck.
Praise God that one day He will wipe every tear from our eyes, and that He is our comfort & shelter in the meantime. Thanks for the beautiful post & for hosting & God bless!
Yes He is, Laurie. Thank you.
I love when you said “God’s presence trumps pain.” Enough said! I am so glad this is a truth we can cling too!! Happy Thanksgiving Eileen!
Happy Thanksgiving, Kelli!
Great post!!
sandy toe
Thank you for coming by, Sandy.
So glad that He is there to draw closer to during those valley experiences and for every step I take it seems that He takes at least two towards me. Thanks for the lovely post. Such manna for our souls.