Don’t Scratch It!

When I trim elephant ear plants it usually only takes about 15 minutes before I start itching.   My mother always told when it itches don’t scratch it.  That was easy for her to say.  She wasn’t the one itching.  Over time, I’ve come to accept the fact that she was right.  If I could give it about thirty minutes the itching would subside.   As a rule, I’ve found that to be true for insect bites and poison ivy too.

Negative emotions like fear, anger, worthlessness, and depression can be just as annoying as an itch making it difficult to deal with life.  Too often, pain becomes something we can’t sooth or run away from.   If we accept the premise that all pain will pass in time we can learn to “sit with the pain.”  Forcing ourselves to endure the discomfort long enough to analyze and process our thoughts and feelings can help us grow.

We see in Psalm 147:3 that God: “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (curing their pains and their sorrows.) (Amplified Version).   Yet, Jesus doesn’t heal and comfort anyone who doesn’t come to Him in humility and trust.   As we learn to sit with the pain, it’s as if the presence and love of God becomes more real.  Perhaps the experience is an opportunity to learn how to “enter into Christ’s suffering.” 1 Peter 4:13 tells us that in this same way that when we “participate in the sufferings of Christ,” we may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed (NLT.)

“Dear Father, I’m seldom overjoyed by my itches, irritations, stresses, and fears of this life, yet I’m willing to exercise patience and endure them because I know I can find strength and growth in you.