Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope

Guest (Male): Welcome to Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. Today, Joni has some much-needed insight on dealing with pain.

Joni Eareckson Tada: And one way to deal with it is to make a to-do list. Because when that pain starts biting bad, I know I always follow a list of things that my friend Michael gave me years ago. Michael suffers from degenerative disc disease, and he lives pretty much on a pain level of nine on the scale. Yikes. And when it comes to dealing with pain, his to-do list has helped me time and again, and I’m going to pass on his wisdom to you.

Because first, when Michael’s degenerative disc disease nearly takes him out, when he loses his focus and he doesn’t know what to do to escape the pain, he simply does the next thing. Really. When you’re in pain, it is so easy to get stuck. Stuck at the present moment of your searing agony. So, do like Michael does: rally your senses, take what medication is advised, and get up and do the next thing. It could be the laundry, a paper due, bills to be paid, or a worship service to attend. Whatever it is, do it.

Secondly, help someone else. There are scores of people around you whose situations are as difficult, if not worse than yours. So find that person whom you can serve by alleviating their suffering however you’re able. Be inspired by the example of Jesus. While dying on the cross, what was He doing? He was reaching out to the fellow next to him. He was serving.

Third on the to-do list is to soak yourself in scripture. Psalm 119:92 says, “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” And then Psalm 119:107 echoes nearly the same thing. It says, “I have suffered much; preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.” These verses tell us the importance of anchoring ourselves to the word of God when it comes to keeping our head above the water of affliction.

Fourth on Michael’s list: find a really, really, really good distraction. I mean it. Pain specialists say that this is one of the most effective ways to manage pain. So, focus on an interesting hobby, read a fascinating book, finish an important project, fix a leaky faucet, or dig in the garden. Whatever it is, do something that demands more of your attention than your pain does.

Number five: check your medications. Philippians chapter four tells us to be anxious for nothing. So if your pain medication is making you anxious, talk to your doctor because there may be something better. I know for me, stretching daily, drinking lots of water, and breathing exercises—those things really help.

Next, do what you can to reduce all stress and anxiety. Isaiah 32 says this: “The effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” Wow. So, friend, pursue right living. Keep in step with the Spirit. Practice being grateful. Put a melody in your heart. Pause to pray. Keep regular with your Bible reading. Give His love to others. These are all great ways to reduce stress and anxiety.

Finally, physical pain is going to cloud your convictions about God’s benefits, which is why I continually stir my soul to remember God’s benefits. God has pardoned all my sin. He’s rescued and restored and crowned me with His love and healed all my diseases. Does this mean pain’s going to go away? No, not immediately. But I sure do have the promise that just as Jesus rose from the grave with a new body—hallelujah!—so I will one day rise with no more pain.

Guest (Male): Friend, if you need more encouragement when it comes to dealing with pain, visit joniradio.org today and ask for your free gift. It’s a copy of Joni’s booklet called Pain and Providence. God will use it to encourage you in your own journey. So go to joniradio.org and get your free copy today.