Grateful for Dental Pain?

Aug 01 2017 Grateful for Dental Pain?

The Practice of Gratitude Part 7

Some dental pain is the worst kind of pain! Can I get an Amen?

And I am no stranger to pain. At times, it has been my constant companion. I will spare you my list of experiences with this formidable foe. Just know: I know of what I speak.

These last ten days, I endured almost unrelenting tooth fun. I am close to awarding this experience with my “worst-pain-ever” prize. The torture stopped for a few hours during the numbness of a root canal. I never looked forward to a dentist visit like the one I did that day, knowing I’d have a few pain-free hours. Twisted, I know.

Are you still with me? Root canals and dental pain make catchy, riveting blog posts—something to brighten a day, right? If you are still here, thank you for staying. You are my support group today, and you should get your own prize.

So, how can I be grateful for level 10 dental pain?  God reminded me through this trial that I do best when I go to gratefulness. Consequently, each day, I took out my gratitude journal. I listed things like the following: medical insurance, dental care, friends that pray and check-in, greater empathy for those in acute pain, my mom and sister’s concern, and my husband sitting up with me at night in my tears. This is good stuff.

As I contemplate these ten days even more, I am profoundly grateful for God’s presence. You see, during the severest nights when I couldn’t pray, I cried out to my Jesus. I cried out His name repeatedly.

God’s word tells us in Isaiah 43:2, that when we walk through deep waters (physical pain, grief, loss, financial ruin, etc.) He will be with us.  

We are not alone.

So many times in my life, I’ve clung to the sole fact that God is with me. In times of deep, deep water, we may count on our Lord. He never leaves, never forsakes.

As a little girl- reeling, the words stupid and retarded  fell on me. He was there.

As a middle schooler lying on a floor flooded with tears after experiencing intense rejection, He was there.

As an adult- emotional and physical pain visits often. He is here.

I find comfort in these dim, murky waters when all I can utter is, “Jesus.”

He is here.

Sometimes, just acknowledging His presence is all the gratitude I can muster.

Friends, the answer to the blog title is no. I am NOT grateful for dental pain. However, this post-dental-nightmare woman is eternally grateful to the One who carried her through.

Oh, and thanks for staying.