A GOOD KIND OF PAIN

I had to have 5 teeth pulled last week. I was so nervous because I’d heard all of the horror stories of getting your wisdom teeth pulled. Before the procedure, I googled and gathered as much advice as I could from those around me who had already gone through it. One thing I was told and was sure to do was to take the medicine prescribed to me before the anesthesia from the surgery wore off so that I would continue to feel as less pain as possible. I followed the instructions given to me but around day 4, it started to feel like the medicine I was taking wasn’t strong enough to control the pain. I started to get worried because I had never gone through this before so I wasn’t sure if the amount of pain that I was in was normal for the procedure that I’d just had.

At my post-op appointment the oral surgeon examined me and he said “you’re healing good.” I asked him over and over again was he sure because I was still in pain and the surgery was a week ago. I told him that I thought the more days that passed the more the pain would lessen. He then looked at me and said, “Destiné, in some cases that is true. But you just went through a hard thing, so your mouth and your bones need time to adjust to the shift that just took place. This pain that you’re feeling now isn’t signaling that something is wrong, but it’s signifying that healing is taking place. I know that it hurts but it’s a good kind of pain.”

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 KJV

He thought that I needed to hear that in regards to my mouth but the truth was I needed to hear it for my heart too. Even though I experienced loss before, I’d never experienced losing a mother, my mother. People make all kinds of suggestions to try to make you feel better when you lose someone you love – “think of the good times” , “try not to be sad because they’re in a better place”, blah, blah, blah, blah, BLAH— NONE OF THAT WORKS. And if we be honest sometimes it’s the good memories that make you the saddest because you realize that you’ll never get those moments again. Sometimes the pain is so unbearable that you began to question “is this normal?” Or “Is something wrong with me?”

The truth is friend, you’ve just experienced a really hard thing so your mind and your heart needs time to adjust to the shift that just took place. Give yourself some grace. Allow it to hurt. Allow yourself to feel… but when the time comes, also allow yourself to heal — and sometimes healing hurts but it’s a good kind of pain!

I’m praying for your heart and your strength in this season… it’s holiday time and I’m really missing my parents so pray for mine too. We’re on this journey together and I have faith that we’re going to be alright!

"Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow." Lamentations 3:32-33 NLT

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you that I’m not alone in this unfamiliar season, not only have you proven that you’re with me but you’ve also shown me someone else that I can relate to who has gone through this hard thing before, and because they’ve gone through it they’re able to assure me that even though it hurts, It’s going to be alright. I’m going to be alright. Help me not to interfere with my healing process by taking matters into my own hands because I could possibly make things worst and cause additional problems, but instead help me to trust you. Help me to know that you have me exactly where you want me. You see me, you know what I feel and how bad it hurts and in due time – your time, not mine, I’ll be just fine. Thank you. I love you.

In Jesus Name,

Amen.