"Pain is such a pain". . .

Pain is such a pain!
This is something that came to me late last night or should I say earlier this morning (3:30 am to about 5:30 am Saturday May 12, 2007). I had attended the American Cancer Society “Relay for Life” 2007 at the State Fairgrounds. It was a blessing to see hundreds of survivors in their purple shirts walking around and talking – living their lives - in spite of what has happened to them. CVT, Hosanna and also Karen’s (from CVT) Church all had booths representing their particular business/organization in the event. Mike and Eva showed up at the event after going to one of Bryan’s baseball game. Jerome Gilliam, Sonja Howell and a lot of people from CVT and Hosanna Church and School all came out. A good time was had by all.

I started wearing out around 10 pm but stayed until a little after midnight. I ate a few pounds of some crawfish, which were equally flavorful as they were hot (spicy). I had to call Robin on the cell phone, since I knew she was on the way to the event from Hosanna’s Senior Graduation, and ask her to pick up a pint of milk - or a fire extinguisher – which ever she found first – so I could put out the fire on my lips, mouth and tongue. Now don’t ask me how hot the corn on the cob and potatoes were! Cause you know.

There was a TV show which proved that Milk is the #1 pain reliever for spicy foods. There were two college guys on this show who tried all of the well known peppers. They started with eating (straight up, whole peppers) the well known 'Jalapeno' and worked their way up to the infamous 'Habanera'. Water, bread, beer, peanuts, etc, were all tried and proven to be less than effective at knocking out the heat of the peppers. Apparently, the receptors on the tongue that relay the sensation of pain are blocked by something in the milk. So, T.V. does pay off after all (sometimes).
By the time I got home and in the bed I was ok, but I woke up an hour later hurting pretty bad with no relief in sight. The pills, the shower, back vibrator and hot pad were all employed. Eventually, a few hours later, control was established. This is when I wrote "Pain is such a pain!". I caught about 30 minutes of sleep after writing. I then got up and fed the little ladies, etc. Oh, by the way, the ladies are spending the night tonight in their newly created "Hotel Don't drop in on us". They are now enjoying triple level perches, with 100 square feet of pure chicken luxury.

This is a perfect seg-way into the main topic I had written about in the wee early morning hours, which is the subject of pain. So, here it goes . . .

“Life would not be so bad, if it didn’t hurt”.

Or could I phrase it this way, “Life could be so much better, if it didn’t hurt”.

Or how about this one, “Without pain, life would not be such a pain”.

Now, this last statement could be interpreted
as meaning, “Without pain, life would not be”.

Life would not be what? Life would not - could not - be experienced.

Physical: From a purely biological / neurological standpoint, without pain receptors, there would be no pleasure receptors since the two are the same thing, just a pathway to the brain to tell you what is going on outside (or inside) of the body. As a result, we would be unable to feel anything. I stand to be corrected, but when the dentist numbs your mouth – it is all numb, not just the pain receptors. [For sure the ‘drool’ receptors are NOT affected because the drool just keeps on coming (lol)].

Emotional: Have you ever heard some one say that they were “numb” following some horrible experience they were a part of or had witnessed? How about when it is said of some infamous person that he or she “has no feelings or heart”. Some people may have so completely shut out their own ability to feel pain themselves, that they can no longer empathize with the suffering of others. Conversely, have you ever noticed how some people who have experienced great pain and suffering are the most empathetic people you have ever met? Is this purely a matter of choice on their part or do some people lack the ability to turn personal pain into empathy? Is this, as I mentioned before, fate, choice, in our DNA or how about this one - could it be a ‘learned’ behavior’ , much like ‘worrying’ can be passed down from one mother to the next, cause you’re not a ‘good mother’ if you do not ‘worry’ all the time.

These are deep questions which I believe can only be answered ‘in part’ on this side of heaven. But I (we) discuss them in an effort to try and understand what, for all intents and purposes, appears to be a senseless, useless waste of time and energy. Just look at how much money is spent on pain killers in the U.S.A. every year. One “expert” was quoted as saying there are 50 million chronic pain sufferers in America alone. You have heard people encouraging others to “talk about it – it will make you feel better”. I have found this to be true. Discussing and writing about my personal physical – and sometime emotional/spiritual – pain does in a way fulfill the “why” part of the equation. Also, knowing that others are actually concerned about your pain / suffering brings relief, even if it is just a little.

Is there a purpose in pain? Purpose is like gold nuggets – it is in there – you just have to dig in and find it. Many times, a fellow sufferer who has been through the same (or similar) circumstances comes along side of you, encouraging you by the very fact that they have successfully traveled the path (or a similar one) that is before you. Or, you hear from others that the way you have dealt with your own pain/suffering has been a testimony to them and has encouraged them, letting them know that they too can make it through to the other side – and especially to let them know that they are not alone in this battle. That is a key tactic of the enemy - to try and make you think that you are alone - and is something that needs to be guarded against.
Paul the apostle said in 2 Corinthians 2:11
in order that Satan might not outwit us.
For we are not unaware of his schemes.

I am going to add more to this 'flow of thought' tomorrow. I need to hit the sack in order to be able to get up tomorrow. Hope to see you all in Chruch tomorrow. If you don't go to mine, find a good one and get started.
Remember Barbara and Don Gerard in prayer please, they are in town for 1 week. But since there are some new developments concerning Barbara's health, they have some new and heavy decisions to consider. Thanks. Also, remember the account set up for them. You can stop by any Capitol One. Any questions, call me.
God Bless - and go and be a blessing. George