Brent and I were having a discussion the other day about what it’s like to have a chronic illness. This type of thing can be so hard to explain to someone who doesn’t have one (I know I didn’t have a CLUE before it happened to me). As I thought through the best way to describe it, I told him it’s kind of like having a rock in your shoe. It’s present with every step you take, you feel it constantly even though no one else can see it, it’s incredibly uncomfortable to deal with, and it’s a distraction as you try to navigate the rest of your daily activities.

The more I marinated on this, I started to realize that we ALL have a rock in our shoes. It may not be in the form of a chronic illness, but it’s something that exists and persists in your life. Maybe it’s a grinding relationship that hits a nerve every time you encounter a specific person, but they’re in your life for the long haul. You have no choice but to endure the sharp stab of that rock in the arch of your foot as you step down. Maybe it’s a financial crisis that has been going on for decades and you can’t see any semblance of light at the end of the long dark tunnel. That rock digs into your big toe each time another bills shows up in your mailbox. Maybe it’s the loss of something or someone that is never coming back. The ache in your heart matches the sting in your heel as you walk through life grasping to the hazy mist of a memory. I could go on; there are so many scenarios that rattle around in our sneakers as we journey our way through this winding world. And, while we know the rock is there and we are keenly aware of the fact that it feels painful, these rocks exist for our good. How we’re called to face these rocks can differ, but the result produces endurance, peace and strength in our faith.

SOMETIMES WE ARE ALLOWED THE ABILITY TO REMOVE THE ROCK

In a best case scenario, sometimes our situations aren’t permanent or our Heavenly Father chooses to perform a miracle. We endure the rock for a season, but at some point we are allowed to reach down and pull it out. We should be so grateful for these blessings in life and view them as a dual gift from God. One gift is obvious- relief from the sting in our shoe. The other gift is the knowledge, fortitude and wisdom we were able to gain as we endured the rock. We should hold tight to these lessons learned.

SOMETIMES THE ROCK IS PERMANENT, BUT WE ARE AFFORDED SOME RELIEF IN THE FORM OF A CALLOUS

In some instances, the rock is never going away but we are spared from remaining under the full discomfort of it’s presence. Instead, the Lord allows us to grow a thick skin where the rock attempts to stab our flesh. We exist in tandem with the rock, but we are equipped with God’s grace as he places us under an umbrella of protection from enduring the full impact of the hurt and provided with tools to manage each day as if the rock has been minimized to something more resembling an annoying pebble. I feel like I’m starting to fall into this category. My illnesses persist and, barring healing only the Lord can provide, they will be with me until I step into eternity. Over time, however, my doctors have found medications and methods of physical therapy that are making each day a bit more manageable. I’m not quite there yet, but I’m closer than I’ve ever been. My rock isn’t going anywhere, but the pain of it’s presence is becoming minimized and I’m stronger in my walk with the Lord because of these uncomfortable steps.

SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH THE ROCK’S PAIN

There are some circumstances that will always be met with the presence of pain. This is where to peace of Christ comes in. Although our rock continues to irritate our already bruised flesh, we are afforded a peace that truly passes all understanding. This is a comfort that can only come from God. Have you ever wondered (or maybe you’re living it) how a widow carries on without the love of her life or how the terminally ill cancer patient can exude a spirit of hope even though his days are numbered? It’s not that the memory of the widow’s husband doesn’t come with a longing for days gone by or that the constant reminder of a body shutting down doesn’t conveniently slip the cancer patient’s mind. These feeling are raw and real, but there’s an indescribable spirit of acceptance as the result of God’s mercy that lies beyond our comprehension. Our Heavenly Father chooses not to take away the pain, but he wraps his loving arms around his children as he gives us the strength to endure this level of suffering.

Friends, I’m not sure which type of rock is creating your pain or what category you fall in as you endure it. What I do know is that there’s hope in each level of the process that comes from a Savior who has literally taken on the pits of Hell as a demonstration of his love for each of us and as proof that we will make it through.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7