We all go through life experiencing different firsts. The first time you drive a car. The first time you move. The first time you go out of the country.
A little more than a week ago, I experienced a first in my own life. This kind of first I wouldn’t have minded going my whole life without experiencing, but it was inevitable. I had surgery. Nothing life threatening or terribly dangerous, but that doesn’t mean it has been easy. And in less than two weeks, I have to endure another surgery.
Life post-surgery has been interesting. Thus far, I have learned what it’s like to actually need to ride in a wheelchair, what it feels like to be in so much pain that you cannot stop the tears and what it is like to depend on people for your every need.
But it hasn’t been all terrible. I have now mastered the crutches, and taking a few laps around the first floor of my house is mere child’s play. And, I must admit, I’m not complaining that my siblings are willing to bring me food, pop in movies and retrieve whatever I need for me.
A little more than a week ago, I experienced a first in my own life. This kind of first I wouldn’t have minded going my whole life without experiencing, but it was inevitable. I had surgery. Nothing life threatening or terribly dangerous, but that doesn’t mean it has been easy. And in less than two weeks, I have to endure another surgery.
Life post-surgery has been interesting. Thus far, I have learned what it’s like to actually need to ride in a wheelchair, what it feels like to be in so much pain that you cannot stop the tears and what it is like to depend on people for your every need.
But it hasn’t been all terrible. I have now mastered the crutches, and taking a few laps around the first floor of my house is mere child’s play. And, I must admit, I’m not complaining that my siblings are willing to bring me food, pop in movies and retrieve whatever I need for me.
Despite the fact that I have basically been living on the couch for more than a week now, which to some might seem like the good life, I have recently started to feel a little restless. If this was just one surgery, then I would just enjoy the down time and be done with it. But just knowing that this is going to last about seven more weeks makes me restless.
I think about the fact that I am not making any money this summer, and that makes me anxious about college bills. I think about the fact that I cannot do any cardio exercise for who knows how long, and I feel out of shape. I think about how much harder it now is to get together with friends this summer, and I feel out of touch.
Each time I think these things, I come to the same conclusion: I have absolutely no right to be complaining about any of this! I get myself into a destructive attitude by letting my thoughts get out of control. I know that I am not alone in destructive thinking. We all allow ourselves to walk down that path every now and then.
I heard something during a Bible study once that has stuck with me. Every time I allow thoughts to come into my mind that will only cause the destruction of my attitude for the next few hours, I start thanking God for the blessings in my life. I am reminded that Paul tells us in Philippians not to be anxious about anything, and he had learned to be content in any and every situation.
It is then I realize that, while my pain is temporary, some have to live their whole lives in pain. I realize that, while I cannot walk for eight weeks, some cannot walk their entire lives. And I realize my “problems” and the things that I thought were ruining my summer were actually teaching me a lesson from the God who provides me with everything I need.
I would encourage everyone to give this a try. Each time you start to let your thoughts get out of control, praise God for every blessing he has given you. Pretty soon, you won’t be thinking about how frustrated you are with your life. You’ll realize how blessed you truly are.
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