Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope - The List

0:00Welcome to Johnny Eric Santata's Sharing Hope. Today, Johnny has some much-needed insight on dealing with pain. And one way to deal with it is to make a to-do list. Because when that pain starts biting bad, I know I always follow a list of things that my friend Michael gave me years ago. Michael suffers from degenerative disc disease and he lives pretty much on a pain level of nine on the scale yikes. And when it comes to dealing with pain, his to-do list has helped me time and again. And I'm going to pass him on his wisdom to you. Because first, when Michael's degenerative disc disease nearly takes him out, when he loses his focus and he doesn't know what to do to escape the pain, he simply does the next thing. Really, when you're in pain, it is so easy to get stuck. Stuck at the present moment of your searing agony. So, do like Michael does, rally your senses, take what medication is advised and get up and do the next thing. It could be the laundry. A paper do. Bills to be paid. A worship service to

1:04attend. Whatever it is, do it. Secondly, help someone else. There are scores of people around you whose situations are as difficult if not worse than yours. So find that person whom you can serve by alleviating their suffering, however you're able. Be inspired by the example of Jesus. I mean, come on, while dying on the Ross, what was he doing? He was reaching out to the fellow next to him. He was serving. Third, on the to do list, is to soak yourself in Scripture. Psalm 119 verse 92 says, If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. And then Psalm 119 verse 107 echoes nearly the same thing. It says, I have suffered much. Preserve my life, Lord, according to your word. I mean, these verses tell us the importance of anchoring ourselves to the word of God when it comes to keeping our head above the water of affliction. Fourth on Michael's list, find a really, really, really good distraction. I mean it. Pain specialist say that this is one of the most effective ways

2:07to manage pain. So focus on an interesting hobby. Read a fascinating book. Finish an important project. Fix a leaky faucet. Dig in the garden. Whatever it is, do something that demands more of your attention than your pain does. And then number five, check your medications with you. Philippians chapter four tells us to be anxious for nothing. So if your pain medication is making you anxious, talk to your doctor because there may be something better. I know for me stretching daily, drinking lots of water, breathing exercises, those things really help. Next, do what you can to reduce all stress and anxiety. Isaiah 32 says this. It says, the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. Wow. So, friend, pursue right living. Keep in step with the spirit. Practice being grateful. Put a melody in your heart. Pause to pray. Keep regular with your Bible reading. Give his love to others. My goodness, these are all great ways to reduce stress and

3:08anxiety. Finally, physical pain is going to cloud your convictions about God's benefits, which is why I continually stir my soul to remember God's benefits. God has pardoned on my sin. He's rescued and restored and crowned me with his love and healed on my diseases. Does this mean pain is going to go away? No, not immediately, but I sure do have the promise that just as Jesus rose from the grave with a new body hallelujah. So I will one day rise with no more pain. Friend, if you need more encouragement when it comes to dealing with pain, visit johnnyradio.org today and ask for your free gift. It's a copy of Johnny's booklet called Pain and Providence. God will use it to encourage you in your own journey. So go to johnnyradio.org and get your free copy today.