No Pain … No Gain

For the last few weeks I’ve been undergoing a series of painful injections in my knees as part of a treatment plan for Osteoarthritis. Each week as the day of my appointment approaches, I feel the clawing hand of dread descend upon me. Not only am I gripped with crippling fear because of the expected pain, but my body manifests my anxiety with raised blood pressure and intestinal problems, of which I’ll spare you the gory details.

The procedure, while painful, lasts for all of four minutes – about two minutes per knee. So, although I dread these shots, I rest in the knowledge that my pain will be mercifully brief. Even though the benefits I experience from the treatment far outweighs my pain, I can’t seem to stop my body from physiologically reacting to my ordeal.

With this being Holy Week and me with one more round of injections this week, I’ve set my mind to think about Jesus and what He endured on the cross, rather than focusing on my own pain.

I imagine the crude crown of thorns pressed into His scalp hurt much worse than my injections — and for longer than four minutes. What must it have been like when He was forced to carry a heavy wooden cross upon a back splayed open from an intense flogging. He was laughed at and spit upon – and then the final horror of being nailed to that same cross. Regardless of whether those nails were 5-7 inches long or 7-9 inches, as oftentimes debated … His pain must have been unimaginably horrific.

… And even knowing all of this was going to happen to Him; knowing that His Father in Heaven could have saved Him from this torture … He still willingly chose to die for us on the cross. Jesus Christ anticipated the pain … and endured that pain … and died in pain – for me.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:42-44

I’m almost ashamed of my fear and the dread I feel for my upcoming appointment. Somehow, what I must bear, pales considerably in light of all that Jesus suffered. And yes, it may sound cliché or kitschy … without HIS pain there would be no gain for any of us.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:26

Blessings in Christ and Happy Resurrection Day,
Kathy K.

Author: Kathy Kurlin

I am a wife, mother, grandmother and published author of three books. My true passion is to share the Gospel through the written word. I may not be a Pulitzer Prize winning author, but God tells us to be faithful with "little things," ... so at my Lord's pleasure ... I use my "little writing gift" to write for Him. View all posts by Kathy Kurlin