The weeks have worn on and I am still in therapy for my broken shoulder. I thought it would be over by now and my arm and shoulder would be back to normal. But it’s not over and it isn’t back to normal. What to do? Continue to persevere…with the pain. Oh yes, the pain that comes with therapy and the daily exercises I do, stretching those ligaments and muscles. I thought I was progressing when I told the therapist that the exercises aren’t causing that much pain anymore. Her answer, “If you don’t feel a significant amount of discomfort (i.e.pain), you are not progressing, you are maintaining.” In other words, you are staying with the status quo. So…do more, do them longer, make my arm and shoulder stretch more. And yes, experience some discomfort and pain.

It would be so easy to just stop at this point. I can pretty much do all I really need to do. But there are some things I cannot do that I would like to, because I don’t have the function I need. And there will probably be times I will need that full function. So I have to keep working at it.

Just like our muscles being tight and stiff, so it is like our spiritual life. It’s so easy to be complacent, and comfortable, and stay in the status quo spiritually. There is no challenge to grow that way. But without some discomfort, even some pain, some hard work and making time to be in the Bible and pray, we stay where we are. We don’t grow. And when the challenges come to us (and they always do), we won’t be able to withstand them.

Colossians 1:10 King James Version (KJV)

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Hebrews 6:1 King James Version (KJV)

1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,