Message summary: Whatever your physical condition today, let your heart be encouraged. The Lord knows your pain, and He is with you.

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"My back is filled with searing pain" (Psalm 38:7). "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

According to the Mayo Clinic back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical help or miss work. Back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide. In the course of our work as chaplains we meet many people and it's sure not unusual to see someone dealing with back pain. Undoubtedly someone reading this is presently dealing with back pain.

For the last several days it's been my (Stephen) turn! As best I can determine it started Monday morning when I reached down to pick something up and must have twisted the wrong way. I felt it immediately. It's the lower back which seems to be the most common area of pain for most folks.

Since mid-life I have periodically had these episodes and thankfully the pain is resolved after a day or two of rest, but on a few occasions it has taken weeks. Chronic (ongoing) back pain, as many deal with, is surely one of the hardest affliction people endure.

Back pain is a trial that many of us know all too well. Whether it comes from years of labor, a sudden injury, or simply aging and arthritis, it can be a daily companion that challenges our patience and our faith. I am reminded of this while struggling to rise from my chair, each movement brings a sharp reminder that our bodies are, indeed, fragile vessels. Brooksyne, too, has known her share of aches—especially after a day of heavy duty gardening. If you are reading this while fighting your own battle with pain, know that you are not alone.

Psalm 38 was written by David and the short selection we use in our first daily text indicates he knew back pain, "My back is filled with searing pain". He doesn't elaborate but many can identify.

In our aching, we are invited to lean into Christ, who says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest". Any type of pain, whether physical or emotional, can bring on a heaviness within our hearts and even drag us down physically. But Christ promises, "I will give you rest". This isn’t always physical healing, though we sure do pray for it. It’s also peace in the waiting, grace for each hour, and strength to keep going.

You may hurt, but you are not alone. Every twinge is known by our God who put your frame together and His comfort can soothe or even eliminate our pain.

God sees. He understands pain—not just as an idea, but through the suffering His Son endured. Christ surely knew back pain. He carried a literal cross on His torn back, walking a road of agony so we could know true healing—not just your body, but also your mind and soul.

Whatever your physical condition today, let your heart be encouraged. The Lord knows your pain, and He is with you. His grace is sufficient for every ache, every slow morning, and every night you toss and turn for a comfortable position. May you find strength in the One who upholds enabling you to march onward in the triumph song of life.

Be encouraged today!  Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber