“You better schedule an appointment tomorrow.” It was these words from my husband that I recalled as I laid out flat, wincing in pain with every move.
I remembered my response too. “I don’t have any time.”
Having chronic back problems for years, I know I what I need to do to keep it from going out on me. It had been bothering me for a few days before we went out-of-town to a water park. It only took one simple, not too rough, family tube ride to put me in tears. After a visit to the First Aid station, I laid down with my pack of ice and remembered my husband’s advice from a few days before.
When life gets busy, I put my own needs to the side. I do this not only with my health, but with my spiritual walk as well.
On the busiest of days, my eyes catch sight of my Bible I think, “I just don’t have time right now, I’ll sit down and read later.” Challenging issues arise during my day and I try to push my way through instead of pausing to pray. I feel disconnected and overwhelmed and rather than run to my Abba, I grumble, complain, and despair.
And just like my back when I fail to take care of it, my soul begins to suffer. I become weak in the face of the enemy’s lies. I may even become immobilized, sapped of spiritual strength.
Just like my body needs food for energy, my soul needs nourishment to stay healthy. In the same way that my physical health needs to be maintained, so too does my spiritual health. I need constant communion with God in the same way that I need air to breathe.
Why do I think that I can make it through the day without my Savior?
I should know from past experience that every time I try to live my life in my own strength, I fail. Everytime I tell God that I will check in with Him later, I get lost. And every time I try to go forward in the journey without soul nourishment, I stumble and fall.
Oh, what a stubborn learner I am! As Paul said, “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 7:24-25) But for grace, I would be a hopeless mess. But because of grace, I am a perfect mess.
No matter how many times I fail to sup at the table with my Savior, feeding on His Words, He always keeps my place set. And when I do arrive, thirsty and famished, wounded and in despair, He is there waiting. There I am strengthened, receiving nourishment and rest for my soul.
Thankful today for this truth: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8
Joining the gratitude community (#1820-1832 ):
my wonderful, fabulous chiropractor
my son who waited patiently for over an hour while I received my treatment
the sweet lady in the Target parking lot who saw that I left items in my cart and stopped me as I started to drive away
the start of my ladies Bible study
the great discussion and time of sharing
our babysitter back in town after two months away:)
a fun start to our homeschool Apologia coop
girls night out, dinner by the water
pumpkin pie bagel
broken garage door repaired
slightly cooler temperatures
my car breaking down while my husband was available to help me
Linking up with my friends at:
get lesson here…both physically and spiritually…neglect is never worth the price we pay. Oh I want to try pumpkin pie bagel…Panera? blessings and I am glad you back is better.
Yes, Panera and it’s amazing:) Thanks for stopping by!
oops…that would be great:)
I feel the same way, Christina. I’m so empty and unable to handle my day when I don’t have my time with God … and then I must choose to let it linger all day long as well. Thanks so much for your vulnerable confession too. I know it was much harder for me when my kids were little. Prayers being sent your way!
Thanks, Beth:) My life, spilled out onto the screen:) And thanks for praying, I appreciate it!
Hope the back gets better as well…a great reminder for us all. We can serve so much better when we allow ourselves to receive God’s healing and Love. Also…the Pumpkin Pie bagel is even better when accompanied by cheesecake cream cheese. Just sayin’….Panera Giftcards are a pastors weakness.
Thanks for a reason to return and get another bagel! I’ll have to try that:)
I’m praying now about that back pain. Lovely post!
Thank you so much! Appreciate it:) Blessings to you!
I’ve had shoulder issues since college so I know well that feeling of ignoring the signs and not resting. Excellent application to our spiritual walk. Taking it a step further, we are definitely better equipped to deal with the physical pains when we’ve first fed our souls in His Word.
So very true! Praying that I remember this lesson well:) Blessings to you!
My chronic pain is the constant default mode of my stubborn soul — toward law. Religion. Score-keeping and tallying up.
Wherein I always fall short.
There are so many parts of me yet to be transformed by such an amazing grace. And I’m right there with you, Christina, independence of the God whose name is Compassion is my greatest enemy.
Hope your back feels better soon, friend!
Thank you! I know what you mean, I am a recovering Pharisee myself. So thankful for grace that changes and transforms, no matter how many times we fall, He will complete that work He started. Blessings to you!
Just responded to your comment over at my place. Yep. This resonates. I don’t even want to admit how many years pass between some of my doctor appointments.
Soul care. That’s what God has invited me to work on in this season of my life. Sounds like the invitation is open to you as well.
Yes, soul care, good description. So thankful that God works with us on these issues and doesn’t leave us to ourselves. Thanks for visiting:)
Way to bring the physical and the spiritual together.
Beautiful connection! I struggle with this, too - making time for the self. I forget that I’m no use to anyone else if I’m not getting the alone time I need. Thank you for sharing this!
From one stubborn learner to another…great reminder. Why do we delay going to Him. I am never disappointed when I do. Thanks for linking up today.
I learned this lesson about the spiritual connection with the physical when someone spoke into my life during a coach training session. He asked me if I noticed a common thread as a trigger for my back pain. I told him it usually acted up when I entered something new in my life. Then we traced it all the way back to my childhood. Too long to go into here, but the soul remembers what the mind forgets and I got some freedom. Now whenever my back starts hurting I know it is often a spiritual struggle, like God trying to get my attention. Hope you are feeling better Christina, I know how rough that can be. Blessings to you friend.
I see I’m not the only one….again…love how you make me feel normal and yet press me to keep striving to become extraordinary : )
and I’m drooling over all things pumpkin right now. Must get to Panera!
Beautiful post and very personal, yet we can all relate in one way or another! So thankful, too, that no matter where I am, God is always available! Thanks for sharing!
In His Lo♥e, Ann
Yes, this sounds familiar here too. Draw near…I think I’ll go to sleep with that tonight. Thank you.
A great reminder to put Him first.
A pumpkin pie bagel? YUM
Oh, I am so convicted after reading this. I do the same thing as I glance at my Bible and realize I am behind in my reading. I cannot put off immersing myself in his Word. I truly need it to start my day. I am glad that your back is feeling better and I pray it continues to improve.