I’ve heard that we can re-train our minds and deter some of our pain. This year, I would like to instill some “feel-good” scriptures in your minds to help fight against the drudgery of our invisible pain. I have asked fellow pain warriors to write a quick note of encouragement using scripture that helps them get through the pain. Here is the first one by my dear friend, Bettie Gilbert who has shared here on the blog before.
Dear Family and Friends,
Thank you for being so concerned for my health, and for asking how I am getting along.
Recently I was reminded of a Scripture Verse that confirmed what both my Physical Therapist and my Counselor had shared with me:
“Remember [carefully] the former things [which I did] from ages past; For I am God, and there is no one else; I am God, and there is no one like Me.”
Isaiah 46:9 Amp
Did you know that the same areas of your brain that were triggered during a pleasant experience years ago, will be triggered again just by remembering it?
My counselor offered a beneficial practice for me then, on days when I am feeling low or depressed. She said that if I would look back and try to remember better days, and to even try to think about the specific details of a good experience, then those same areas in my brain would be triggered with “feel-good” chemicals now.
My physical therapist went a step further and said that studies have found a real benefit in pain therapy when a patient can remember a time of exertion, such as walking or working out, and slowly pace out the memory as if they are “walking” again in their mind. The right-left sensations trigger those same areas in your brain to produce those “feel-good” chemicals, and even can stimulate pain relief in some patients.
Walk the Halls of Memory
So, on days when you see me feeling particularly low about the days gone by and all that I cannot accomplish now, maybe we could join in a session of “therapy” and walk the halls of our memories together. Who knows, maybe your own “feel-good” chemicals might be given a boost as you share those pleasant memories also.
Isn’t the working of our human body and brain incredible?
Truly we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” as the Psalmist tells us:
“I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.”
Psalm 139:14
I am praying for you my dear loved one, as you have reached out to me. May you feel so blessed by God as He pours His compassion through you.
Your loved one in Christ,
BettieG
Thank you Bettie for reminding us of these feel-good scriptures. We can always depend on you to come through with great encouragements.
IT’S YOUR TURN!
Share an encouraging post on your feel-good scripture. It can be about getting through whatever you deal with… not just pain like Bettie and I..
You can find Bettie sharing from her multi-generational home in the far northern suburbs of Chicago. She is on a journey of walking forward with Jesus, in the middle of her own pain and weaknesses from multiple chronic illnesses. The beauty of nature is a joy that always calls to her, as well as the joy of her family and 9 young grandchildren. She and her husband have been married for over 40 years and take great joy in their weekend coffee breaks together.
Amen Bettie! I’m having just such a day today & all those strategies are great practices. 😀
Blessings sweet friend,
Jennifer
Amen Bettie, so wonderfully spoken. Thank you for sharing these great tips. Blessings friend. 🌻
Dear Jennifer, i will keep you in my prayers today! I am thankful that we can share in God’s grace together as we journey this pathway. He really is so faithful to us! Blessings & love to you Dear friend!
Thank you Paula, for your kind comments. I’m so grateful for the help that God sends our way, counselors, physical therapists, and friends & loved ones too. Blessings to you!
Thank you, Mandy and Michelle for inviting me to share here with you. You are always such encouragements to me too! Blessings and love to you.
It’s a two way street. You are a blessing to us!
Thank you sweet friend ♥
Interesting that good memories can trigger the same pleasant chemicals! I had to think about what I would consider to be feel-good Scriptures, as I haven’t really thought of them in those terms before. Probably one would be Zephaniah 3:17: “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” I’m so often discouraged by my lack of being what I ought to be, though I remind myself we won’t be perfect til heaven. This Scripture encourages me with the way God sees me–a delight, someone to sing over. Another would be the middle part of Isaiah 30:15: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” And another would be Philippians 1:6: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” As long as I have breath, God isn’t finished with me.
Oh those are such great Scriptures, Barbara! Thank you for sharing them with us. Isaiah 30 has long been a special chapter for me, so it was such a blessing to be reminded of it today. Blessings for you!
So that’s why I feel so much better if I do a quick walk in the morning! Thank you for the reminder to replace those memories that get me down with good memories – memories of what God’s done for me! I needed that encouragement!
Dear Maryleigh, Oh, yes, isn’t our God so amazing? Not only has He been so faithful to us in the past, but He knows how helpful remembering that faithfulness will be for us–such great encouragement! Thank you for your encouragement also, dear sister!