Spiritual Fitness & Living With Chronic Pain

I’ve been told that I probably have more fortitude than others when dealing with chronic pain. The implied message behind this assumption suggests that perhaps I was born with more optimism than others. As if I innately have some form of genetic disposition for coping with the bad things of life better than those who find themselves struggling. I most certainly disagree with this assertion.

First, let’s take a gander at what optimism is. Sheila Sidney Bender, Ph.D., a psychologist and coauthor of The Energy of Belief: Psychology’s Power Tools to Focus Intention and Release Blocking Beliefs, defines optimism in this way, “No matter what comes an optimist’s way, he or she are empowered to make things go in a positive, healthy direction.” In a nutshell, Bender states, “Optimists think ‘I have options’ and ‘I am in control.’”

While Bender’s comments about optimism ring true, I do have some differing points of view. Personally, I believe optimists have an ability to assess the realism behind their circumstances, making good from bad no matter the odds against them.

And for myself, my spiritual optimism does that. It allows me to flourish during the darkened times because I’m able to see the light provided before me from God. My options are available because of how my mindset becomes renewed by God’s truth. As for the part about me having control, well, I might think I do sometimes, but this illusion quickly evades me.

Because one of the pivotal points about spiritual optimism is this…It’s about dying to my own sense of control as I place more faith into the realities of God. This proclamation about faith can certainly be difficult at times. However, this is when the importance of an optimistic attitude helps to fuel me regarding my walk of faith.

What does spiritual optimism really do? It opens the doors of the heart toward God and His ways of making good from bad; rather than trying to figure out the impossible or settling for the less desirable of two or poorer alternatives of coping.

Spiritual optimism is a form of praise to God for who He is. It’s also a viable means to heal and to put together the broken parts of our entire being. Spiritual optimism is given to us as a gift of grace. It’s a small part of the meaning of hope…

Keep me on your favorites. Click for updates about living with chronic pain and spiritual fitness at www.gordonselley.com.

To your health,