Ya Gotta Do the Work!
For those of you who follow the Mighty Blog, back in August, I shared a Mighty Blog post entitled “Pain! Suck it up? Seriously?” A great deal of the story has unfolded since that dark night back in August. A trip to the beach, that is another story, a surgery and my journey of recovery from a cast and a bed , to a chair and a walking boot! I want to share my most recent struggle and some of my reflections with you.
I have always felt close to the profession of physical therapy, kind of an ambassador; my beautiful daughter earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy years ago and is a part of a successful practice. Mind you, I’ve never had to go through any official PT until now. Everyone told me how difficult this process would be and that people kept insisting that “you must do the PT”. Please keep in mind that I am the same guy that lay on the ground back in August, after missing that damn last step, trying to convince myself that I had only sprained my ankle, right? No worries on the PT thing. Seriously how bad could it be?
Three weeks ago, I began my wild and very painful ride through rehabilitating my left ankle! First, people, keep in mind that I really did injured my ankle enough to require surgery in September, which included having a plate and 6 screws inserted. My challenge during the PT process would be to re-learn how to walk normally on that ankle again. Thank God, I have had an incredible physical therapist working with me every step of the way. No, not my beloved daughter, she felt I would respond better to another therapist (she knew the pain that would be involved in the process and her dad being less than a “good patient”) besides, she has another specialty within the practice. She took great care of me by connecting me to an incredible young woman named Marie! To be in this field you must be incredibly intelligent, caring, outgoing and sensitive to peoples’ needs. A real servant mentality! Marie started the process by encouraging me and helping me set some goals. I had a crush at hello. Then the fun began so to speak! Bam… the stretching, pulling, twisting, bending and balancing began. That wicked woman was a purveyor of pain; Marie kicked my butt but good every session! At our family dinner gatherings, I would share my tales of brutal PT techniques that had to have been found on the dark web with my daughter! She would just smile at me and say, “You have to do the work to get the results”. I felt so misunderstood and frustrated with the entire PT process, but I am determined to get better!
I was able to share our Mighty Men website with Marie a few sessions later and she read my “Pain” post. We talked about the similarities between physical therapy and spiritual therapy! Here are a few things I reflected on and want to share with you.
Psychical Therapy
You must do the work to get better
Pain will be involved in the process
You must stay with the therapy to experience any improvements
Must understand that all parts of the body are somehow connected to one another
These parts will fight against each other, if they are out of balance
We need to recognize that we as humans have psychological, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects that God created.
Spiritual Therapy
Effort involved in keeping all other parts in harmony with each of the other parts - You must do the work to get better
We seek out Peace - Pain will be involved in the process
Our need for Harmony - You must stay with the therapy to experience any improvements
Purpose/Meaning in our life – we must understand that all parts of the body are somehow connected to one another
Maintaining a connection with God - These parts will fight against each other, if they are out of balance
The word Religion comes from the Latin word Religo which means “To tie together”. To believe that all spiritual needs are self-directed is very naïve. I believe therefore, we as Christians need to reach out to help others. By reaching out to help others in turn helps each of us to see ourselves as good, a blessed person, and connected to other people.
My friends, I’m here to tell you that whatever you are experiencing during these incredibly disturbing, difficult times of continued pandemic conditions, you are not alone! God’s promises are clear. He will never leave us nor forsake us. If you are “spiritually down” I want to encourage each of you to commit to the follow-through with a plan, some action steps to draw closer to our Father God. Read your Bible daily. Get in a small group. Join in on the terrific opportunity to serve our neighbors by joining us to deliver beds or pray with neighbors after personally delivering Thanksgiving or Christmas food. You must do the work to get spiritually better! https://www.mightymenofc.com/upcomingevents
Pain will be involved in the process
You must stay with the therapy to experience any spiritual growth or improvements
Must understand that all parts of the body of Christ are somehow connected to one another
Your heart and mind will fight against each other, if they are out of balance. Commit to seek out a balance
I am still going to PT. Marie continues to treat me, encourage me and laugh with me when I let out a pathetic whimper during our PT session, challenging me to keep putting in the work to feel better. I am grateful for all she has done for me and my recovery. I encourage each of you reading this blog post to seek spiritual therapy daily.
Start with reading Romans 12:2
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is…his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Stay strong my friends.
~ HAMMER
*Note: Interested in contributing to our Mighty Blog? Please send your idea of written essay in a word document, including a title, to dehammerstrom@gmail.com.