Musing 49

Pain sucks, especially back and lung pain. Both at the same time would probably cost my sanity.

For the latter, my experience comes from getting whooping cough at 16. In a moment of irony, I got it the year that they rolled out DTAP, and the health department guy said “you can get the one without whooping cough for free, or pay $100 for the new one. I’d go for the old one, since who gets whooping cough?”

Well, 6 months later, I’m in the hospital with a rare presentation, and can still whoop with my cough (if I really try). Ended up with 6 pack abs for a while from how much I coughed (a routine I do not recommend). And for quite a while, could make everyone uncomfortable with how wretched my coughing fits were.

Back pain is a lot more mundane. I’m heavyset and back pain already runs in the family. Not a great combination. The first time I pulled a back muscle was complete agony.

But either way, pain is a humbler. It reminds us that we are not God, we are not invincible, and that one day, our bodies will fail us.

Use each day of pain to look forward to the day when our Creator gives us new bodies, no longer rendered infirm by sin and will be forever used to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.