8/21/24
Hello, friends. Welcome to episode number 158. It’s so good to be back recording a podcast episode. I hope you’ve used this time while the podcast has been on “pause” to catch up on past episodes that you may have missed. Or maybe relistened to some. People keep telling me this podcast is so helpful to them, so I know there’s a chalk-full of life-transforming information that I’ve already recorded. But today, we’re going to talk about Pain and the Complainer.
Yep, that’s me. I feel like I’ve been such a complainer lately. If you haven’t heard, four weeks ago I had bunion surgery. I’ve been nonweightbearing on my right foot for 4 weeks. Now let me tell you, and I’m really going to try to say this without complaining, but I had no idea how difficult this surgery was going to be. And not the surgery itself, I don’t remember a minute of it, thankfully. But the recovery. It has been way more difficult than I anticipated. I usually have lots of energy for the day. Now I’m fatigued just after breakfast. My body can’t keep up. I’m sure it's punctuated by the fact that I live alone and don’t have anyone to assist me in any way on the day-to-day stuff. I definitely had help that first week, though. My daughter and daughter-in-law were integral in getting me through the first week. But after that, I was on my own to figure out how to navigate life solely on one leg. I’m grateful for my new friend, Charlotte, who loaned me her knee scooter. That thing has been incredibly helpful.
But I’ve noticed that anytime anyone asks how I’m doing, I just complain. This is hard. Way harder than I thought. I thought I was going to be able to handle it. Not just physically, but mentally. But I’m having a hard time going with the flow. Maybe it’s that with each new stage I don’t know what to expect. And we know how the brain definitely doesn’t like uncertainty and unknowns. So, then when it’s hard, I think it will always be hard. It will never be any different. My mind gets bombarded with this thought. I can see how Brian fell into quick despair with his chronic back pain. Quick pause…I’m going into more details about that in my book that will be out this year 2024. I’m almost finished. I’ll keep you posted.
Okay, so I’m reminded about King David and how in his affliction asked, “How long, O Lord? How long will it be like this? Will it be forever?” That’s Psalm 13. Matthew Henry wrote a commentary on this passage saying, “Long afflictions try our patience and often tire it. It is a common temptation, when trouble lasts long, to think it will last always; despondency then turns into despair, and those that have long been without joy begin, at last, to be without hope. King David is saying, "Lord, tell me how long You will hide Your face, and assure me that it shall not be forever, but that You will return at length in mercy to me, and then I shall the more easily bear my present troubles."”
The thing is, I do know that my struggles are temporary. It will not always be this way. But not allowing thatthought to be the prevailing one makes me down and depressed. Letting my brain run amuck with how hard it is, and all the complaining is taking a toll. My physical suffering affects the overall wellbeing of my mental state.
So, what do we do? I talked to the Lord about it. I told Him I don’t want to be a complainer anymore. You know what He reminded me of? Thankfulness. Thankfulness changes everything. I’ve recorded an episode specifically on thankfulness - Episode 7 - Every Little Thing A Gift in November 2020. Over the years, there have been many empirical studies that show that gratitude or thankfulness has a direct correlation with life satisfaction.
God already knew that thankfulness would positively affect our well-being. In Colossians 3:15, He inspires Paul to directly link living a peaceable life to being thankful. Verse 15 says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Thankfulness fills you up so much so on the inside that your heart is made whole again. That is what I’ve just experienced. Again. I say “again” because life’s circumstances and challenges will always come. And since our brains are wired towards the negative, we will always be battling our mind for what is true, and right, and honorable to think. Just as Philippians 4:8 tells us.
So, here I am so very thankful. I started writing in my journal all that could come to mind. And I got writer’s cramp. But I will share with you I’m so thankful for the people that God has put in my life that have checked on me these four weeks, brought food to fill my refrigerator and freezer, sat on the couch and chatted with me, took me to doctor’s appointments, or even scooped me and my pups up for a vet appointment. It’s hard to be so dependent on others and their schedules, without feeling like such a burden. It takes a lot of humility to be here, and I’m grateful for those who never waited for me to ask for help. AND I’m grateful for the ones who said yes when they were asked. Anyway, my life is full of wonderful and loving people, a beautiful home that I love to be in while I’m down and out, two sweet pups that love the fact that their momma is sitting still for a change so they can get more pets, and for the future. There’s so much ahead for me that’s beautiful – things that I know about and am anticipating, and those good things I don’t know that God has planned for me. And I’m thankful. So very thankful.
So, friend, what about you? Have you been experiencing something painful? And have you found yourself complaining a bit, like me? Could you use a reboot to that which makes your life feel full and satisfying? Are you ready for a more peaceable life? Well, then join me in a concentrated and intentional effort towards thankfulness. I encourage you to write everything down that you could possibly be thankful for in your life. Now, I know you could just recite them in your head, but there is something fascinating that takes place in our brain when we write things down. It creates an “important” file and stuffs it full of all that goodness to remind you more quickly the next time you have a challenge. Isn’t it exciting to know that just by thankfulness you can experience so much peace and personal wellbeing?
Physical pain truly does affect the way our brains work. The two are intimately connected, as you’ve heard me say many times on this podcast. And breaking the cycles of negative thoughts that leads to complaining is not always easy. Awareness and intentionality are key, but you also may need more direction and accountability. And I’d love to be your Life Coach and help you do this. I have a few open spots on my calendar, so I’ve put a link in the show notes for a free 30-minute call if you’d like to talk more about life coaching and how it could work for you.
Also, don’t forget to get the free, downloadable guide that will help you work through this topic.
Have a wonderful week, friends. See you next Wednesday for the next episode of Another Beautiful Life.
SHOW NOTES:
I’ve been in a lot of physical pain lately and it has been messing with my mental state and overall wellbeing. And I’ve really been complaining about it, and frankly I just want to stop. Join me as I share what the Lord showed me that completely changed my life and brought me such peace.
Are you wondering how Life Coaching works? Would you like a free, 30-minute session? Click this link to set up a Consult Call: https://calendly.com/triciazodylifecoach/30min
Get the free, printable guide here: www.triciazody.com/guide
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