When Chronic Pain Becomes Too Much: Consuming Your Thoughts & Your Day
What do you do when all you can think about is your pain? When you can’t think about anything else? What do you do when chronic pain becomes too much?
These are questions I would find myself asking on days when my chronic pain is unbearable. When you are living with and dealing with chronic pain, you may have days when you can’t think about much else. I have been there. And it’s exhausting.
However, this past year has been one of abundant answered prayers. And part of that has been learning how to perceive those very days differently when my back pain is awful.
I want to share what has helped me and hope it will provide some guidance and encouragement if you find yourself facing days of immense pain.
What I will share below is in relation to chronic physical pain. However, these three things could be applied to other types of pain you struggle with. Whether it’s physical too, emotional, relational, or the deep pain that comes with loss and grief.
#1: Knowing What NOT To Focus On
This is important. I share it first because the two items that follow can become quickly clouded if you don’t get this right. And I only know because I’ve spent years trapped in these cycle of thoughts on my worse days of pain. And now, knowing what not to focus on has been freeing.
Knowing what not to focus on. What I mean by this is that when your pain consumes your attention and that is all you can focus on, it’s important to not let your thoughts spiral into guilt for not being able to do whatever it is you can’t do that day.
For example, there are days when I can’t pick up my kids. Days I can’t help with baths and do the dishes. Days I can’t do much of anything. I would feel extremely guilty for not being able to do those simple tasks. And with that guilt would flood in with this immense feeling of not doing enough. Not being enough.
Not being good enough.
And that is a dangerous trap to fall into. Believing the lie that your worth is tied to what you can accomplish (or cannot accomplish) or what you have (or don’t have). Because it is not. Not at all. And I cannot wait to share how God has divinely delivered me from that trap through answered prayers. An identity in Christ will truly transform your self-worth.
#2: Find Scripture That Impacts You and Repeat It Over and Over
God’s promises are always true. Sometimes it takes the hardest days to remember that powerful, but simple statement.
God’s promises are always true.
On days I cannot see anything else and when my back is awful, and I want anything but that, there are two Biblical promises that have impacted me in those moments and changed my perspective.
I will share two of my favorite verses but God might lead you to others. Whatever scripture you feel pulled to, hold on to it. Read it over and over.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.
All things!
“All things God works for the good.” That is powerful.
Especially when my chronic pain has become too much and is unbearable I can hold onto that promise. All things. Even in awful chronic pain. Emotional pain. Pain in relationships. Grieving pain. Whatever type of pain you are facing today.
His promises are always true. So somehow, someway, He is working in it. And somehow it is for good. Even if you can’t see it yet. Even if it doesn’t feel like it.
The second verse is: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5.
Suffering produces perseverance. Perseverance produces character. Character produces hope.
The promise of what is produced through our suffering is eye opening. Somehow, someway, the pain you are suffering will build perseverance. Which builds character. And ultimately leads to hope.
That is so comforting to me. Especially on the days when my pain is awful. Somehow He will help me persevere. Somehow this will build character. And ultimately, lead to hope. He promises it is for good. He promises it is for hope.
3: Pray Through Your Worst Days
This might seem obvious. Or perhaps, almost like an easy quip: “just pray about it.”
And I don’t mean it flippantly “just pray about it.”
I mean it powerfully.
Prayer is essential and powerful. You can pray throughout your day. Prayer is communion with God. Talking with Him. Tell Him how you are feeling. Start the conversation. Don’t worry about saying the right words. You don’t need to have it all together. Just start talking to Him.
Prayer is transforming because God’s presence is transforming. God is present when you pray to Him. Your Heavenly Father asks you to come and pray to Him. He will hear you. Just like He promises!
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13.
Check out this powerful and simple prayer tool to strengthen your prayer life. It’s a game-changer! I love it! Give it a try.
I hope this brings a little encouragement to you today for whatever type of pain you are facing. Even when it’s at it’s worst. Don’t fall into the trap of guilt. It’s not true. Don’t believe the lies that your worth is tied up in what you can or cannot accomplish. Know that God’s Word and promises will encourage you. And know prayer will transform you.
These steps are both simple and profound. Thank you for this encouragement. Thank you for the reminder that not all pain is physical. We know that God keeps His promises. He is the Great I AM.
Thank you Janet! The Great I Am! Love that☺️ yes He is!
Thank you Lisa. Thank you Janet. I also greatly appreciate the reminder of the fact that there are non physical pains also (emotional, relational for example). With my days of severe physical pain, I used to google and obsess over possible remedies and such and it only created more anxiety and fed my pain. I had to learn and practice the discipline of NOT going down the rabbit hole to the “I am not enough” place. I can say that yes for for me too, when I choose prayer and scripture, it is there that I find peace (even while still with pain). It is such a journey. I’m grateful to get to share with you all.
Thank you Aunt Michelle! Good reminder for me too – thank you – to not go down that rabbit hole of searching and obsessing over remedies and treatments. I can get sucked down that too and same- it leaves me anxious. Yes, the power of prayer and God’s Word is absolutely transforming 💙