Transforming Stumbling Blocks Into Stepping Stones

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5 NIV

I must have been at least 6 months pregnant when I found myself crawling to the bathroom. With the growing weight of our first child relentlessly pressing on my bladder, the middle of the night trips to the bathroom were already a struggle, but this excruciating hip pain was certainly new. Maybe I slept in a bad position. After all, who can get a comfortable night's sleep by the time you're well into your second trimester?

Unfortunately (or not?) the pain continued to return. When I saw my obstetrician, he explained it was probably my body loosening up, in preparation for childbirth. I rejoiced to hear this could be something which may pass with the birth of our precious baby. After our long-awaited and prayed-for child was born, my prayers turned toward motherhood, and pain relief.

Sometimes God answers our prayers differently than we expect.

The pain I experienced during pregnancy began to spread. It would come and go, as did I to doctor after doctor, specialist after specialist, and therapy after therapy.

The diagnoses came together, in part, as osteoarthritis, degenerative back issues, and fibromyalgia. The fibromyalgia diagnosis came at a time when little was known of the condition. Thankfully medical science has come a long way since then, and we know much more about this condition and how to manage it, but in the interim, I began to spiral. I hadn't yet been taught that moving through the pain could actually be a treatment for the pain. With fear of movement came a lack of exercise, lack of social interaction, and a lack of confidence, all leading to anxiety and depression.

A decade later, I received my wake-up call. Mom was diagnosed with a relentless form of dementia, and she passed at the young age of 64.

After her passing, I tearfully reflected on our conversations of all the things she wanted to do as she was growing into her retirement. Home renovation projects to foster a peaceful space of reflection. Trips she wanted to take with my dad. Being a grandmother and all the wonders and hopeful expectations that brought to her heart.

God began to impress upon my heart that He had something better in store, and that life on this side of heaven is too short not to live into it as fully as possible. Intentionality kicked in. I determined I would cease viewing my circumstances as stumbling blocks. I would begin to explore with God who He created to me to be, because I knew from His promises that He does not intend for us to live the way I was living.

I dug deeper into God’s Word. In it I found “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Rom. 5:3-4).

I made the decision to no longer camp out in negativity, but to intentionally persevere. Over the course of several years, I searched for answers to my pain. I sought out and worked with a new doctor who listened deeply to my situation and offered solutions not just to medicate my symptoms, but to treat my whole health as an overall human and spiritual being, and who challenged me to think myself capable of more. 1 Corinthians 3:16 tells us that we are a temple of God’s Holy Spirit, so I began to pay attention to the things that I ate, and how my body responded to them. I drank more water. And I began to move.

Most importantly though, I continued to dig deeper into God’s promises of hope for the future (Jer. 29:11) and hold them close to my heart.

I chose a perspective of stepping stones over stumbling blocks, by allowing God to transform my mind (Rom. 12:2). Each small step built upon another over the course of time. I continue to deal with chronic pain. I still have days of pain and the associated brain fog, but I've learned to recognize what my body needs, and listen to the still small voice of God when He tells me to rest in Him. I've learned to trust that He is holding me, and that He is taking the things I’ve been through and is using them now to help build His kingdom.

God’s healing was different than what I had in mind, but God knew what I truly needed, and answered my prayers in ways I never would have thought possible.

Had He answered my prayers the way I wanted, to escape the pain, I would have lost a perspective of gratitude and a heart of serving others that I might never have cultivated had it not been for the time I spent in the growth stage, where things were happening beneath the surface of my awareness.

My precious friends, He offers His healing to you as well. It will look different for each of us, and it will likely look different than what we expect, because His ways are infinitely better than what we can imagine. What is required of us is to open our minds to the possibilities, opportunities, and people that He places around us, and to intentionally seek them out. His healing is often found in sharing our stories, and in asking for help and guidance along the journey.

God has so much in store for you, if you will allow His love and grace to permeate your being and seek Him and the life He has for you with great intentionality.

What in your life have you been viewing as a stumbling block that you can lay before Christ today to be transformed into a stepping stone? We invite you to take it prayerfully to God in this moment, and ask Him to open your heart, mind, and spirit to the unique opportunities and possibilities He has for you.

Father God, we come to You as Your daughters, laying our hearts before You with gratitude and awe for Your healing power and loving grace. We lay our problems bare, and pray that You would show us how to transform them from stumbling blocks into stepping stones, so that we may grow into a life that is in line with the love You have for us and the purposes You created us for. Guide our small steps, and carry us when we need to be carried, all while giving us hope in the plans and the future You have for us in building Your kingdom. We pray these things in Christ Jesus’ name, amen.

Long’s Chapel and the Women2Women team are committed to your growth. If you need help or guidance along the way, please see our contact information below.

-Laura Greer
Women2Women Ministry at Long’s Chapel

Women2Women is a ministry that encourages women to cultivate an intimate relationship with Christ, while also exploring how God has uniquely created, gifted, and called each of us. We connect with women where they are in life’s journey, providing opportunities for spiritual growth, health and wellness, intergenerational fellowship, friendship, and mentoring. Events and retreats are targeted to the needs of women so we can grow deeper in our faith, develop our gifts and abilities, and establish long-lasting friendships. For more information contact Laura Greer at (828) 456-3993, ext. 204 or Laura.Greer@LongsChapel.com, or Vickie Staib at (828) 646-8819.