My doctor reduced the dosage of my infusion medication. It is a trial period to see if I am in remission or if the auto-immune diseases are just under control. The proof will be if the PMR and GCA pain returns. So now I am on the watch trying to determine if the pain I have is from the diseases, from old age, or from the side-effects of the medications or the lingering effects from the virus I had last year. And if that pain is going to stay at the level it is or get worse.
Pain. Ugly four-letter word. Three years ago I was doing well. I did not wake up each morning thinking about pain. Then in the span of two weeks, pain invaded and has never left. Some days are worse than others, but all days I battle some sort of pain.
Pain, of course, is a warning that something is wrong. It is not always physical; it can also be mental or emotional or spiritual. That makes a promise in the final book of our Bibles the most welcome of promises.
John saw a new heaven and a new earth. Everything that was – was no more. Then he heard a voice shout from heaven.
“’Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous thing have passed away.’” Then the One seated on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.’” [Revelation 21:4 HCSB]
See that little phrase tucked right in the middle? “Pain will exist no longer.”
Pain tells us that something is wrong with us – but there is coming a time when there will never be anything wrong with us again – forever. I wonder if we will even ‘remember’ what pain was like?
