Sore But Content

May 14, 2020

By David Chang, Director of Ministry Support

I was on my bike, pedaling as fast as I could. The next thing I knew I was on the ground, trying to catch my breath. A police car had pulled over a speeding car in front of me, and I didn’t have enough time to stop. Thank God that I got away with just a broken collarbone.

It’s been a difficult last few weeks. Dealing with the pain and not being able to use my right arm has been a struggle. Using chopsticks got quite messy . No more exercising, only walking. I’m grateful to a good friend who gave me Scriptures to listen to and contemplate on. Walking is good for contemplation!

The very first Bible passage I listened to was from Psalms 131:

1 Lord, my heart is not proud;
my eyes are not haughty.
I do not get involved with things
too great or too wondrous for me.
2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted my soul
like a weaned child with its mother;
my soul is like a weaned child.

3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
both now and forever. (Christian Standard Bible)

At first, I focused on verse 2. I imagined holding my 2-year-old granddaughter Dara. There have been times when she had been particularly fussy, having a difficult time settling down for a nap. I would pick her up and take her for a walk in the garden. She would eventually quiet down and fall asleep. I tried imagining myself being carried by the Heavenly Father. I wanted to be content and satisfied just like Dara.

But I can’t. My shoulder is hurting. I ask God to take the pain away. But He didn’t. I tell God that I won’t be content and satisfied till this pain goes away.

But God must want me to be content.

I see the problem now––I missed the first verse of Psalm 131, the one that I skipped. I’m doing exactly the opposite of what it says.

My heart is proud.

My eyes are haughty.

I think I know better than God.

No wonder I’m not content! I shift my prayer from asking God to remove my pain to humbling my heart. I ask God to help me to trust rather than complain.

I found myself slowly settling into my Heavenly Father’s arms. My shoulder is still sore, but I’m beginning to understand that being in God’s arms with a sore shoulder is better than being somewhere else with no pain.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help all of us to stop squirming in Your arms. Help us to be humble and trust You. Help our soul to be content with nothing but You. In Jesus name, Amen.

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