Don’t fight it

“Don’t fight it. Don’t fight the pain. You have to relax.”

Confused by these instructions, I had to turn my thoughts away from the physical pain of labor to the rest of my body, wondering the entire time how to make myself relax when hurting so much.

But after a few moments, I found I could relax.

It worked.

Choosing to relax made labor much more bearable, and it wasn’t too long before the pain was forgotten in the joy of our newborn.

Since that day, it’s a practical truth I’ve applied many times.

“Don’t fight the pain” is now something I try to live by, because I’ve learned pain is not my enemy.

What is my enemy is allowing anything to trick me into fighting rather than relying.

Proverbs 3:5 NKJV — Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

That’s not to say, I am silent about everything.

It simply means I try not to react, but rather to prayerfully respond.

And not just in the physical, but in the emotional arena as well.

When experiencing the pain of grief or disappointment or fear it’s unwise for me to fight the pain.

John 14:27 KJV — Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Instead, I need to be honest with the Lord, myself, and those around me, without attacking the parties I feel are responsible for the pain.

Only God has the right to judge.

Romans 12:19 NLT — Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD.

And being honest without sinning is how we work through life’s trials.

Ephesians 4:26 KJV — Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Don’t fight the pain.

Instead:

Let God use it.

Learn to rest in God’s promises.

Lay yourself open before the Lord and humbly choose to focus on the Lord rather than the pain.

I still fall into reaction rather than response.

I have often fought the pain rather than trusting God.

But I’m doing it less.

For every time I choose not to fight the pain, I’m amazed by how God works in and through it.

It’s not easy, but it can be done.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your faithfulness which has taught me so much. Lord, for the times I have chosen to fight rather than trust I’m ashamed and I thank You for Your forgiveness. Lord, help me to remember: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
II Timothy 1:7 NKJV I want to walk in these truths and be guided by Your Word. Lord, thank You for all You have taught me and I know there’s so much more to learn. Thank You! May my life bring glory to Your name, Jesus. Amen.