Waking up in the hospital after the procedure two weeks ago, my first question was, “Did it work? Did he get it?” I had just had a procedure to eradicate a hereditary heart arrhythmia which for at least 12 years had been a big frustration for me. The nurse told me the procedure had worked. Then she asked about my pain. Yes, I was having pain. I had not expected pain. I thought this procedure was pain free. My right leg was hurting! She gave me some medicine through my IV which took care of the pain completely.
For a couple years I had wanted this procedure. Since it was elective, the insurance hoops to get it had been many and had taken nearly a year. The arrhythmia would not kill me, I just found it very uncomfortable. Now it was finally over and was successful!
Over the next several days the pain in my right leg continued. I took two more days off work than I had planned. A test showed there were no serious complications causing the pain. This information at least told us I was safe. Yet it continued. If anyone asked me how I was doing I would tell them about the nagging leg pain. It woke me up in the night and was unpleasant.
On day seven of recovery I was still in some pain, but back to work. While I was talking to a friend she said, “With this pain, the fact this long awaited procedure was successful is nearly lost.” So true! In all the hassle and discomfort I had nearly forgotten why I had the procedure in the first place. Yes, there were the hassles of extra time off work and pain, but the procedure was a success and I had lost the excitement about that fact. As I thought more about this, I prayed and thanked God for the first time for making the procedure a success. The pain and time off work was just an inconvenience which would soon be over, but the success of the procedure would be long-lasting.
Going through this caused me to wonder how many times do I lose the main point in a situation? How many times do I lose the joy? The gratitude? Miss the blessing? How many times do I complain about the inconvenience of some side issue instead of focusing on what God has done for me?
Sometimes I think I overlook or forget the important point or the blessings. Sometimes I see only the problems and not the benefits.
Father, forgive me for looking at the minor things inconveniences and not the blessings You have given.
