Wednesday, February 6, 2013

pain and change are connected

"If it hurts, that means it's changing."  I was smiling when I wrote that on a text this morning to my guy, who was telling me about his sore biceps as he works out like an adorable madman.  

Our muscles TELL us when they are changing.  If we're sitting around on the couch all day eating junk food, they complain in one way, telling us they are degenerating day by day.  If we're working them like we should be, they they complain another way, telling us they are changing for the better.  Once you're not in your 20s anymore, I think you pretty much don't get the "my muscles absolutely never hurt" option.  You're getting worse, or you're getting better.  Our muscles are pretty faithful reporters of that.  The secret is to choose "getting better" pain so that our old age won't be a huge penance to pay for choosing "getting worse" pain.  

It's the same in our spiritual lives, I think.  We want to run from pain.  But pain generally means we are changing.

If we press into God, that change is going to be for the better.

If we press into selfishness or run away crying, that change is going to be for the worse.

Which do you choose today?

2 comments:

  1. I choose the former BEcause the latter no longer holds any appeal. [I'd BE lying if I said I didn't used to LOVE BEing the victim who is treated so unfairly...]

    The other day I was feeling "guilty" that I am once again changing or certainly opening up to CHANGE. I thought WHEN WILL I EVER get this "right" and NOT go off and move AGAIN?!

    Then I read something on that day's calendar from tut.com:

    "A goal or dream that doesn't challenge the dreamer to become more than they've ever been, to go where they've never gone, and to feel things they've never felt, is actually like wishing for a giant life-snooze button.
    Tacky."

    That was just the right kick in the attitude I needed to remind myself that uncertainty and the pitter-patter of overwhelm don't mean I am a "failure."

    I may NOT BE a big deal at this one thing or part, but the fact that I have uncertainty and A WHOLE LOT OF FEELINGS GOING ON does NOT = failing.

    In fact, it really DOES mean I am growing or changing or mayBE just opening up to what I hope is a whole LOT of Life still to BE Lived.

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  2. Awesome insight, Currie! Takes a lot of work and healing to undo the "I am a failure" script...

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