In March, I went into my dentist’s office to be fitted for a crown. After being escorted to my BARCO-lounger, my bib was placed around my neck and I opened up to say “ahhh” for the very large needle full of numbing medication. A few moments later, the dentist began drilling the cavity out, and pain began shooting through my jaw line. I muffled out: “ooooOOWWa….stop!!! I received ANOTHER very large needle full of numbing medication. A few moments later, the dentist began drilling the cavity out- AGAIN, and pain began shooting through my jaw line-AGAIN. I muffled out: “ooooOOWWa….stop!!!”- AGAIN!
I received ANOTHER very large needle full of numbing medication. A few moments later, the dentist began drilling the cavity out- AGAIN, and pain began shooting through my jaw line-AGAIN. This time, I just sucked it up and allowed the dentist to finish the procedure.Hours later, as the numbing medication wore off I began to experience sharp, stabbing pain shooting through my jaw line-AGAIN! I called the dentist, and received my first round of pain med’s.
Several days later; I went back to the dentist and was told that I would need a root canal. I received more pain medication and a round of antibiotics.
A few days after that, I went back to the dentist for more numbing and drilling. At the end of that visit the dentist told me she couldn’t complete the root canal because it was a “difficult” tooth. I was then referred to an endodontist. That experience turned out to be much like the prior. The “specialist” attempted to complete the root canal- twice. Again, the pain persisted, and I was given another round of pain medication and antibiotics.
Healing = Pain
A few weeks later…..I returned to my dentist to discover that the only option now was to extract the tooth. And so, we did. You would think this is the end of the tooth saga, right?
WRONG!
After the extraction, I incurred a dry socket. I then tried every pain remedy known to man. Nothing worked. I returned- AGAIN, to my dentist office and was told that the pain could be because the infection had spread to the bone. WHAT????!!!!!! My 3rd round of antibiotics was administered.
3 ½ months later, the great chasm in my mouth is finally beginning to heal. I have prayed daily, sometimes hourly for God to relieve me of this suffering. I have had friends and family praying for me, laying hands on me, rebuking the powers of darkness from me………….but to no avail. A few days ago, in complete desperation, I literally cried out to God; “why won’t you take this pain away!??!!” After I finished whining and blowing my nose, I heard Him say “because you have something to learn from this.”
In that moment, I thought of Jesus. The suffering He endured was far greater than mine, and He deserved none of it. I wept uncontrollably.
Kind of puts things in perspective doesn’t it?
But that wasn’t the only thing my Father wanted to teach me……..
Healing = Pain.
Whether it’s a physical healing, such as a broken bone that has to be re-set, or casted, or an emotional healing that was caused by a deep hurt long ago, the healing process is usually painful. That is why most of us chose to stick an emotional band-aid (denial, blaming others, anger, etc…) on that sucker!!!
The thing is, you can only cover up an emotional infection for so long.
I was told by my dentist long after my initial crown appointment that when she first drilled into the tooth, puss and blood began spewing out. REALLY?! Had I know that, I would have decided at that moment, to yank the it out. Instead I listened to the “professionals” who said it was best to try to save the tooth by doing everything humanly possible to clean it up with a root canal and a crown.
Sounds a lot like what the enemy does, doesn’t it? He convinces us that it would be better to just leave those emotional infections alone rather than asking the Lord to extract them, so that we can be healed. He whispers in our ear telling us that it will hurt less if we just ignore them.
What a liar.
When we allow God to extract the deep, dark, infected places of our soul, we will endure some pain, but it pales in comparison to the damage that, if left untreated can wreak havoc on our relationship with God, our spouse, our children, and others.
Kind of puts things in perspective doesn’t it?
What infections are lurking in your soul?
Ready to let God extract them?
Deep Into the Water 