Guest Post by Author Lauri Lemke Thompson
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev. 21:4 (KJV)
I’ve known this Bible verse since I was a child, but until physical pain bombarded me later in life, the words “neither shall there be any more pain” failed to grab my attention – typical of young people, I suppose. Now that I’ve experienced chronic pain, I rivet on this promise.
On a particularly rough day, I told God “Oh, please, just take me to Heaven!” And He will – but at His appointed time. In the meantime, I seek relief, but it appears I will be stuck with a measure of pain.
And so will many of you. Whether it be wrenching headaches, spasming backaches, needle-like foot agony or piercing hip distress: It. Just. Hurts.
This article is not intended to invite you to a pity-party, but I admit I sometimes weary of it all, fed up with trying this and that. Drained from endeavoring to cope, while putting on a show of bravery. Exhausted from pushing through it. Tired of explaining to others why I can’t do this or that right now – or anymore, at all.
Tired of biting my tongue as I defy adding “chronic complaining” to my list of chronic this and chronic that.
Then I realized something: one wonderful day I will experience My Last Headache.
And so will you, for whatever fill-in-the-blank chronic pain you might be enduring — if you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior and thus won Heaven as your forever home. These pains that we cannot rid ourselves of on earth will end. Hallelujah.
When self-pity tempts, I pray God will help me in my determination to worship Him. Why worship? First, He is worthy. Second, He promises Heaven despite my unworthiness. Third, until then, He is present, pouring comfort, strength and even joy into me. Fourth, I can’t whine and worship at the same time.
The idea that pain will be gone one day is beyond appealing: it is heavenly. Just closing my eyes and trying to imagine that? I can’t. But I believe it, nonetheless. Praise God.
Does hearing “neither shall there be any more pain” make your heart skip a beat? If so, thank and praise Him for this glorious promise.
“My body is experiencing technical difficulties right now.” (Unknown)
A Wisconsin native, Lauri Lemke Thompson appreciates living with her husband in the lovely Ozark mountains in Branson, Missouri. She is active in Christian Women’s Connection (Stonecroft) and the Ozarks Chapter of the American Christian Writers. She published a book called Hitting Pause, a collection of her articles and devotions. Her bimonthly column appears in the Branson Globe newspaper.