How long, O Lord?
–Psalm 13:1a
Welcome to the world of chronic pain. You may already live here.
Back pain. Sciatica. Arthritis. Chest pain.
Depression. Anxiety. PTSD. Loneliness.
Isolation. Guilt. Doubt. Shame.
Pain can show up physically, mentally, and spiritually. Sometimes, all three kinds at the same time. Chronic pain is the unwanted houseguest who never leaves.
Some suffering doesn’t respond to a quick fix. Even lots of attempted fixes. Some suffering is the kind you may just have to live with.
If you’ve ever uttered those words from Psalm 13, you’re not alone. That is the cry of someone suffering from deep pain.
Some folks are open about it, but others are resolved to suffer in silence. Some find a way to lead a full and fruitful life in spite of the pain. And others find themselves completely debilitated.
I’ve cried out “How long, O Lord?” many times in my life. Little things like a bad toothache. Big things like the darkest two years of my life.
When have you uttered those words?
The writer of Psalm 13 uses the phrase “How long?” four times in the first two verses. In fact, many of the psalms involve the same language and theme.
If you’re in deep pain, at least you’re in good company.
There is, I think, something comforting about knowing others have suffered and lived to tell the tale.
But you don’t need to look back three thousand years to find an empathetic ear. There are friends, and family, and co-workers you can lean on. There are pastors and counselors and support groups you can reach out to.
It can be daunting just to summon the energy to talk about it. And let’s be honest: None of those can guarantee an end to your suffering.
But here’s the Good News: No suffering lasts forever. God has cornered the market on “forever”. Beyond our days on Earth stretches something beautiful and eternal. An end to pain.
In the meantime, you and I — everyone — has pain. It’s this strange companion that travels with us as we live and love and grow.
My wish for you, if your “houseguest” refuses to leave, is that you make room in your life to welcome a very different visitor than Chronic Pain.
You can call it God’s abiding presence, or as I like to call it:
Chronic Grace.
Have a great week,
Mitch
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