I had a hard time when I was younger.  I wanted to be noticed, and praised, because it was sorely lacking in my childhood.  So, as a young adult, I sought praise from friends and others.  Now, with some maturity, and a little bit of humility, I am embarassed to get compliments on things that I do, because I don't do anything without God's strength, or prompting. 

I hope you do not need your gall bladder out, but I sure hope you get some resolution to your discomfort.

Hugs and prayers,
Trish

Thanks for all the kind words, that's very uplifting for me and I so appreciate it. Someday God will let me know why and I'm sure it will be humbling and until then like Pam said we keep plugging along. Good to see you here Pam!

Hi Karen, I'm sitting here imagining the pain and all the surgery and medical problems you have faced and still face. Wow that is a humbling experience. I look at Joni's story and can't imagine her faith throughout her life and she has a ministry for wheelchairs being sent to other countries. Have you heard of her?

You are right praying is one thing you can do without pain and our country and people need prayer warriers out there.  You are going to be so free when you go to heaven and recognizing God's reason for your suffering, even just knowing that God has a reason and humbling yourself to that fact that you may never know but you have faith.

Giving your help here on OB even to me the other night, God had a plan for you to find me, you were obedient and in just that short message you sent me I knew God was with me.

Thank you for all you do. I don't think you realize how much it is, but it is.

Blessings, Connie

Hi Karen,
Whying and Whining are both things I have done a lot in the past year or so.  I have made so many bad choices because of the chronic pain I have had, including abusing pain meds, and drinking.  God protected me, and I have been sober for almost  a year now. 

I have a dilemma because I can't get corisone shots from the pain management doc for another four months, due to being a new Coumadin patient.  The pain doc requires me to be off the Coumadin for a week before giving me the shot.  I still have blood clots in my lungs, as of Christmas.  So, even though I am taking a pain med for the pain I have, it is not always that effective, and I wake up in a huge amount of pain most mornings. 

But, I am learning from the Lord, and trying to change my attitude to one of gratitude for His blessings, instead of whining and complaining all the time.  I am also learning to lean on Him for His strength and grace in this.  These are new skills for me. 

Trish

Have you ever asked why do I have to suffer like this? I know I have on many, many occasions. I have fibromyalgia and degeneratrive arthritis so in the last 6 years I've had a hip replacement, 2 broken legs (at different times), breast cancer (2 surgeries), four foot surgeries and my spinal implant surgery. So besides the chronic pain I've had these other issues to deal with, oh yeah I've asked that question soooo many times. I've also felt somewhat worthless because I can't physically do alot of things. However I learned so much about myself and how others see me over these years. I found even if I can't get around much I can still contribute, I belong to a knitting group and we donate lots of items to Salvation Army and just folks in general. Plus I can always pray that takes no physical activitiy. As far as being in pain sometimes we need it for us to grow and sometimes others need to see our attitude for them to grow. I still have a certain amount of pain but I try to maintain a good attitude because others are watching and they need to see that even tho we are in pain we hand that pain to God and He will help us bear it. More than once doctors and nurses have told me they don't know how I cope and I can honestly say the only reason I can cope is because of God's grace and strength He gives me because on my own I would not be able to bear it. Pain and suffering are no fun at all but God always has a reason for allowing us to be in that situation. Either we need to learn or we are being put out there as an example of what God can do, so keep trusting Him with your pain whether it is physicl or emotional.  He can handle it all! Blessings, Karen