Some of you have asked when I will begin blogging again and why I stopped. This is a fair question from those who faithfully read the weekly blog and joined the conversation; sharing your wisdom with us. The answer to your question is I could not write because I was inundated with layers of pain in my body, mind, and soul. Let me explain.
My Body
I have experienced difficult times in my life; but 2019 felt like an unending season of painfulness. Let me address the body pain first. A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I took the prescribed medication and followed an exercise plan. The pain diminished for a while, then came back worse. Then I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis, along with rheumatoid arthritis. Once again, I took the prescribed medication and followed an exercise plan. The pain diminished for a while, then came back worse the second time. Spinal stenosis had joined the ranks. The treatment for spinal stenosis was a lumbar block (burning nerve endings). The treatment was worse than the three pains together. The pain was intense because I had rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and spinal stenosis.
My Mind
Chronic pain can affect sleep, mood, memory, and concentration. I experienced daytime fatigue, urges to take naps, and lack of concentration. I could not think clearly to write the blog. I made daily living mistakes that I would not normally make, and I forgot things more often. I would walk into a room, forget why, and have to return to where I started to regain that thought. I lost my creative edge. I could read mysteries for fun, but not write on serious topics.
My Emotions
Chronic pain affects moods and many pain-sufferers experience guilt, depression, anxiety, or fear. I experienced frustration, impatience, and energy drain.
Also, I often felt misunderstood. People looked at my face and assumed I was upset or angry. I was just trying to be still and ride out the waves of pain, and not disturb the meeting, service, or family gathering. Then I would be angry because people assumed the worst, instead of asking if there was anything they could do to help me.
Stronger, Better, Wiser
I thank God for a personal relationship with Him, which sustained me through 2019. There were many nights I cried out, “Help me, Jesus!” trying to walk from my bed to the bathroom. There was a plethora of times I verbally confessed “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” when I had no energy for daily living activities or patience to interact with people.
I thank God for always providing for me. For example:
- A free, six-week class was offered at the O’Fallon YMCA on how to handle chronic conditions. The pain management remedies were non-pharmaceutical practices I can easily do – and they work.
- A chair-yoga class is offered at the same YMCA. The stretching helps ease my pain.
- The church prayer line keeps my faith steady by praying for healing three days a week.
- A support group of positive people who are managing their chronic pain conditions through laughter, fellowship, and sharing best practices keep my emotions positive.
My quality of life is improving day-by-day, and I am grateful. The year 2020 is looking so much better than 2019. The weekly blogs resume with this one.
You may be in pain or know someone suffering from chronic pain. There is help and hope. Pray and ask God to show you what to do and where to do it. Ask Him for divine connections so that you may live a good quality life again.
If you have walked this pain journey and would like to share best practices, feel free to join the conversation. If you are suffering from chronic pain and found this blog inspiring or informative, join the conversation. I would love to hear from you.
Beautifully done and WELCOME BACK! Thank you for being transparent about your absence and for sharing your struggles…! This insert was very enlightening and encouraging and has motivated me to continue despite circumstantial setbacks and push toward my goals.
Hi A. Boyd, Thank you for beginning the conversation. Sometimes I hesitant when the opportunity for transparency presents itself because I do not want to be seen as weak or whinny. So thank you for your support. I will continue to be transparent as long as it helps SOMEBODY. I pray for God’s strength to help you overcome every obstacle in your life. God’s blessings to you.
Good morning, my sister and welcome back. Happy New Year to you and I know you are on your way to a better self. I, too, experience pain everyday. I have tried physical therapy, which worked to ease the pain I’m experiencing due to sciatica. I thank you for the health fair that introduced me to the facility that provided the physical therapy. I try to wear a smile to mask the pain, but sometimes, it’s hard for my body to get moving. I don’t like taking pills, so I resort to prayer to place mind over matter. So, I can relate to the down side of dealing with pain on a daily basis. Thanks be to God that it hasn’t affected my ability to continue serving, but many times I serve through the pain. Looking forward to a better year for you and for me. I love you.
Thank you for joining the conversation. Thank you for your transparency. We can do all the things God has set to our hands through Christ who strengthens us. On to a better, stronger, wiser year for both of us.
Hello. Dr. Haire. Minister Campbell here. I enjoyed your part of the article where it talk about how you go on the prayer line and asking God for your healing. I remember, one service I was in at BOLCC. I had a swinging dizzy head. I participated in the praise and worship part of the service. When I entered into worship, my swinging head seemed subside. I felt God’s healing virtue went inside my body. God was glorified God that day. Thanks for sharing this article.
Min. Campbell, I praise God with you for your healing.
Very much transparent, which is informative and yet inspiring. 2020 looking for more. 20 means redemption. Thank you 4 being open book where people can read your pages. B blessed
I most certainly am expecting great things in 2020. I want to continue to be better, stronger, and wiser in every way.
Welcome back woman of God! Thanks for sharing your journey, but more importantly I love that you shared not only your issues in 2019, but how you were lead to solutions. Often we only hear how bad things were and neglect to share the testimony of how God brought and directed us to our healing. Thank you for being willing to share where you had been and now where you are. Many today are suffering with chronic pain now they have other roads they can travel to to manage their pain.
Thank you, Sylvia Atkins for joining the conversation. Yes, it is important to share solutions. Being informed is powerful.
Welcome back. YOU ARE AN OVERCOMER!!!!!!!!
Linda Galloway, you are an OVERCOMER also. Better, stronger, wiser in 2020.
Bravo, I understand because I have struggled through several years with chronic knee then hip pain. I hobbled on a cane. The clear cane you have me in love to ease pressure on my back. It carried me through two years of two knee surgeries, then three more years before two hip surgeries. Pain leaves you isolated and bewildered. Bewildered because of the insensitivity of loved ones and society as a whole. The struggle is real, disability is serious. Chairs and seat without arms can reak havoc in simple tasks. Taking more time to do daily chores, getting in and out of cars can be overwhelming. Depression rages at you. But faith in God soothes and carries you through. That’s the big difference. Jesus. Once that burden is lifted, you don’t look back, but empathize with others going through. Glad you are back.
Peggy Monroe, I saw your journey and heard your cries of “Lord, have mercy.” He heard your cries and answered. I praise God with you.
Pain is real. I am glad God has allowed you to continue in your powerful ministry. As a Christian, I was having a discussion with myself and the bible. I often ask why Lord, why? Since the Christian instruction book provides all we need I made this discovery about me (I am not talking about anybody I am talking about myself). God is everything. God provides directions. God leads and we should follow. I want you to accept this challenge with me because God’s word cannot lie. God also asks that we remind him of his word. For the next 30 days let’s confess God’s word, one scripture a day, declare and decree what is written shall be so in Jesus’ name. We have the resources but do we use them? I take my medicine twice a day, and I know I can repeat a scripture twice a day and apply faith and believe that it will come to fruition. I know that it is the same God who called Lazarus and he woke up. I know he can/will heal me. Welcome back!
Neva, this is a wonderful challenge. I accept. Are there any other subscribers who want to accept Neva’s challenge? We can all report back here in thirty days.
Thank you for sharing this is enlightened, encouraging and truly a testament of the amazing woman you are and allowing us to share in your journey. I praise God for yoy, thank you for not giving up or giving out. Your transparency is nothing short of amazing.
Alberta, thank you for joining the conversation. We are stronger together.
Having suffered chronic pain for 25+ years, I found that pain management was just that! They were never looking for a cure. I wanted a cure not a mask of pills. Realizing all those pills were never going to be a cure, I decided myself to go as natural as possible. I haven’t got rid of my pain but I feel sooo much better mentally
AE, I hear you and agree. Pills are the answer doctors give to us. Even though they help for a while, the side affects are most undesirable. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing. A a wise woman told me as we age our body changes and those things we did at an earlier age just don’t fit. Year 2019 I experienced a series of muscle spasms. With a change of diet, healthy foods, plenty of water, joining a gym and first of all prayer helped put me back on track. Year 2020, I’m expecting greater things!
Judy Ware, changing habits is hard. I applaud you for changing your lifestyle practices in order to have a winning 2020. Abundant blessings to you.
Welcome back, Dorothy. Thank you for sharing your journey. I can relate to it all especially about being perceived as being angry or upset because it seems no matter how hard you try, you just can’t smile through the pain. Unfortunately, many people don’t see me when I have that pain-free moment. I praise God every minute that I don’t have an ache, excruciating pain or a cough that aggravates the pain. They are brief moments but I cherish them. On my worse days, I am blessed that I can look forward to accomplishing something despite jarring pain and I have joy. Some people focus on their pain and increases their misery. I find something to get lost in, doing my job, reading a book, listening to music, writing, etc. I don’t find joy in the pain. I find it in the relief. In the hour of the day, I will get three, five or ten minutes of either not having pain or able to completely focus on something else. It took a long time for me to get here. I got through an exercise class today. My facial expression matched everyone else. We were all hot and tired. I don’t know what it took for others to get to their car. I know I was given strength I didn’t know I had to get in my car, drive home and rest until I was able to lift my arms up to get my shirt off. Arthritis is horrible but I am blessed to beat it everyday. I love that you were transparent. Your story gave me the strength to share mine.
Thank you for sharing, Stephanie. Your transparency will help someone else push through their pain. We are strengthened through the words of our testimonies. We are better together.
So Happy New Year to you Dorothy. Taking classes with you at the Y I saw the pain in your face. But Im glad to see are getting better dailt.With Praying and you continuing your exercise I can see the improvement. I really missed the blog and glad you’re back writing again. Yes, we have to take care of our health just like we take care of others..
Deborah, you were one of those in the support group who helped me manage my pain through laughter, fellowship, and sharing best practices. Thank you and may God continue to bless you.
Thank you, Dr. Haire for your transparency, it helped me. Last year I dealt with a big Surgery and that was mind blowing, But God. Thank God for your healing.
Ursula, last year was a year of pain for you. Even so, I often thought that you were sooo blessed because you not only had great faith and a healing God, but you have a praying husband. You are a blessed woman.
I would like to thank you for your honesty and welcome you back. As we continue to live this life we are faced with challenges that can be very discouraging. But the one thing that we do know is no matter what we face during the long lonely hours of suffering, God is with us and will not forsake us. Often times we are looking for God to move mountains and create awesome miracles in our situation, but sometimes God blesses us using practical methods. I admire the strength that you exhibited by getting up and going to classes that would help you and doing exercises that would help you. That shows courage and strength. God will lead us to solutions and answers to help us. You could have missed these answers or blessings by refusing to get up and do anything. But you got up.
I admire your honesty, courage, strength, and determination.
Hi Linda Malone. Thank you for joining the conversation. You are right, we often are expecting God to do a supernatural thing and we ignore the practical solutions He places before us. I am available for both. As the old saints used to say, “Any way you bless me, Lord, I’ll be satisfied.”
Praise God Dr Haire! The Father always provide for his children. I appreciate you sharing your story for such a time. This is a season many saints are experiencing some type of pain. We needed to hear your story. It’s going to encourage many to continue to trust God & not give up. Thank you so much! May God continue to heal & allow you to minister to His people. Love you Woman of God!
Katherine Coleman, thank you for joining the conversation and for the encouragement to keep sharing my story. I appreciate you and your interaction. May God bless you abundantly.
Welcome back Dr. Haire
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It was very transparent and uplifting. Thank God for His healing power
Sandra Wayne, thank you for joining the conversation. And thank you for joining me in praising God for His healing power. There is power in praising Him.
It’s great to have you back. You’ve been missed. I’ll keep you in my prayers as you continue forward with this year. Thank you so much for all you do. Much love.
Tammika, it is sooo good to be back in the writer’s group (Scribes of Praise). Thank you for letting me continue to be a member of the group even though I was unable to attend for most of the year. Being in this month’s meeting was as refreshing as a cool drink of water to a parched throat. Thank you for not giving up on me.
Thankful for your life because it has blessed so many people. To God be the glory for the thing’s he has done for you. You have suffered much and you didn’t complain. To God be the glory and thank Him for His mercy and grace to you.
I am grateful for prayer warriors in my life like you, Deacon Shepard. So thankful for your consistent prayers for me – over time. You did not get tired because I was not better in a day or a week. You just kept on praying for me until there was a visible manifestation of healing in my body. I am better than I used to be. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to pray for me.
Thank you for sharing your story and reminding me that the “Joy of the Lord is our strength”. Reading how even with a season of pain, two types of arthritis and spinal stenosis the spirit of quit was not in you. I have always admired your called, compelled and committed spirit. As I continued to read, I was blessed by your statement that “a personal relationship with God ” kept you saying “only God”. Thank you for being an excellent example of a woman with strong, confident, and courage faith.
I am so glad God cares about you and me.
This is my second reading and I thoroughly enjoy it. I’m so sorry that you’ve went through such a discomforting time but thank God for His strength in times of our weaknesses. I’ve only known you for a short period of time and it has been such a blessing to me. You are an amazing woman of God. Keep sharing as much as you are led. It has been truly a blessing. Mrs. Hannah suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. I understand some of the ailments that come along with the disease. She keep on pressing as well. Though it’s crippling, she pushes through. May God comfort always rest upon you.
May our big God bless you in a big, big way, Deborah Hannah.
To have and to hold is a great blessing, that’s what we have in you and your teaching blog. I’m glad that God has raised you up again to teach and to share what our amazing God has put in your heart. A lot of time people go through silent pain and doesn’t say anything to anyone but I hope this blog help all those who do suffer in silence.
Love always your “Son”
Thank you, Son. If I can help somebody as I travel along then my living shall not be in vain. Abundant blessings to you.