Physical therapy almost always involves exercise of some kind that is specifically designed for your injury, illness, condition, or to help prevent future health problems. These exercises will improve your flexibility, strength, coordination, or endurance.
I remember doing physical therapy for my leg, and the therapist gave me different exercises to do that were to aid in my healing/recovery process. Initially, I challenged her because I wondered if she understood that I was in pain. My thoughts were, “Why would you try to make me use my leg when I need you to fix it first? Why can’t you just massage it and take the pain away? These exercises are uncomfortable.” She reassured me that for issues like mine, not using my leg, even though it’s less painful, could prolong the time it takes to heal.
Revelation:
In my spiritual walk I have experienced painful situations that I just wanted God to fix, to comfort (massage) me, and make me feel better; but He didn’t (not right away anyway). Instead, He allowed me to go through it, even though I felt like it was unbearable. This is my definition of Spiritual Therapy; it was designed just for me. I had to trust God, so I had to exercise my faith. The goal is for my spirit to grow stronger (and for the flesh to get weak and die).
God, Who is infinite in His Wisdom, knows that in order for us to grow, we must go through painful seasons; and believe it or not, many of our painful experiences aid in our growth process. So, if we are going to persevere, we must learn to endure, and we have to keep moving, if we don’t, it could take longer to move past the hurt. If you are anything like me, when you have been hurt, the last thing you want to do is use that part of your body that has been injured. For example, when I hurt my leg, I tried everything I could to avoid using my leg or putting any weight on it. Likewise, if my heart has been broken, the last thing I want to hear is “walk in love;” or if I have been betrayed, the last thing I want to hear is “forgive.” But, the truth is, if I don’t push past the (temporary) pain, I could remain in that hurtful place, until I can endure the healing process.
We must exercise our faith, by believing that even the uncomfortable, the hurtful experiences are working together for our good.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
We must do our part! It requires work!
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone (James 2:17).
We must seek God for insight and guidance that is specifically designed for our situation.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
We must remind ourselves that the pain is only temporary and it is designed to improve our walk with God, strengthen us, and to build our spiritual endurance.
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).
There were times during my Physical Therapy that I wanted to quit and not go back for the next appointment. There were days that the therapist made me so angry; but, I was reminded that I wanted my leg healed, to walk without struggle, so I made a decision to endure the process. I will admit there are still times during my Spiritual Therapy that I question God, that I feel like giving up, I throw adult temper tantrums, and I feel like I want to turn back; but there is a still small voice on the inside that gently asks me “So, if you quit, or turn back, then what?” Exactly! There is no turning back! Thankfully, those times are fewer and further apart, and I am better equipped to endure the pain now.
So, That Settles It. Embrace your Spiritual Therapy; it has been designed to strengthen you, give you Divine direction and patience. It may start out painful, but if you endure to the end, you will come out stronger; and you will be able to encourage others, with certainty, that they too can make it.
There is Purpose in the pain.