Growing Frustration
Losing any amount of function in your dominant hand makes you immediately aware of two things. First, it makes you realize how much you depend on that hand. It also brings the weaknesses of your non-dominant hand more into your awareness.
When this happened to me, thank you tendinitis, I quickly felt frustrated. I could do very little without pain, and I did not like having to rest my hand. My frustration grew as the healing process stalled, and I had to continually fumble doing everyday activities, like brushing my teeth and opening jars, with my lesser hand.
Though my hand still hurts, and I don’t know when I’ll have full use of it again without pain, I have made progress. The progress is not just in the healing of my hand. It’s also growing appreciation for the Lord.
Growing Appreciation
This injury has helped me appreciate the physical function I still have. It has also helped me better appreciate the amazing ability God gave the human body to heal itself.
I also more appreciate all the Lord has done for me. As I remember the healing he’s brought in my life and as I realize that he’s in the process of doing it again, I am again amazed at the healing power he provides.
As my appreciation has grown this past year (yes, my hand has hurt almost a year now), I realize that the fruits of the Spirit are increasing too.
Did you catch that? The Holy Spirit increased in my life as I became more grateful.
Increased Fruits
Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Goodness. Kindness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Through an injured hand, God has cultivated the fruit of his Spirit in me. Especially patience.
I realize this cultivation has come through other events in my life this past year, too. The hand pain, though, seems to be a connecting point since it has exacerbated all the other struggles.
My injury has become a reminder of growth. As I experience this very slow process of healing, I am reminded that God’s pace, his timing, is often very different from mine. I’m also reminded that growth is often painful. Finally, I remember the presence of God’s absolute authority in my life.
“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)
