Neck Pains

I am writing this with a heat pack wrapped around my neck and shoulders. It started yesterday - a little kink at first. I thought I had slept too hard and was suffering the consequences that an “older”’ body suffers when it lies unmoved for too long of a time. But as the day progressed, so did the pain, until mid-afternoon found me in a horrible amount of pain unable to even turn my head. I resembled an ancient stiff owl.

I was certainly hoping it would be gone by the time I awoke today, but apparently not. So, here we go again. Life is like that, isn’t it? Some days we wake up and feel great, but by mid-morning, we notice a little hitch or kink in our plans. Maybe the dishwasher breaks or the dog gets sick. Or maybe it’s a little harder kink such as when you hear rumor that your office is downsizing and your department is next in line. Or your spouse says he has something serious to discuss with you and you have a feeling you know what’s ahead that may rock your world forever.

Kinks are part of life’s plan on this earth. I wish I could tell you I know exactly why they come, but I don’t. Each kink has its own “personality” and requires something unique and different from each of us before we find a smooth road ahead. I do believe they are part of a growth pattern. The Lord knows we need to grow strong and healthy. And, just like you feeding your children carrots, peas, and wheat bread when they’d much prefer sugared candy, ice cream and soda, God allows some bumps and tangles to come into our worlds lest we fail to grow faith muscles and become weak, unproductive Christians.

I can tell you how to approach these kinks…

1. Don't ignore the early signs of a kink. If you recognize the problem, begin to
pray about it. Listen to the Lord. He will be ready with grace, mercy and a giant
sized plan that will heal that kink before it gets ugly.

2. Study Psalm 91. It's one of my favorite psalms. "Surely He will deliver you from
the snare of the fowler...For He shall give His angels charge over you to keep
you in all your ways, and in their hands they shall bear you up....I (God) will
set him on high because he has known My name…..I (God) will be with him in
trouble.”

3. Rest! I am fairly positive this particular neck pain is due to stress in my life.
Sometimes our bodies just break down and say “Hey, listen…..you can’t handle
anymore. Would you please just listen to me and rest!!! Enough is enough.”

So today, it’s heat packs and ice packs and maybe a couple of rest naps too. “This too shall pass ,” was my daddy’s favorite saying to me. I try to remember that and go one step at a time. And, with the Lord at my side, it’s really not so hard.