Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more.
Millions of people suffer from chronic pain, but practical tools are available to help you cope mentally and emotionally.
Key Points:
- Chronic pain is a minimum three-month long period where someone experiences persistent, distressing pain that causes them some kind of functioning impairment (sleep, work, etc.).
- The Gate Control Theory says that sometimes the “gate” of pain reception is open and other times it is “closed.” There are factors that can “open” and “close” this gate. The problem is when the gate is open and it shouldn’t be. The solution is to find out how to keep the gate closed.
- If you believe pain is unbearable and unpredictable, the gate will be open. It undermines our ability to cope.
- Social support. If our friends and family seem to be against us, this opens the gate. If people baby us, the pain can seem unbearable, opening the gate.
- Coping. A well-balanced life can help close the gate. Exercise, eat well, nurture healthy relationships – these all have positive effects on us. Counseling, like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, can also help.
- Mindfulness. This asks how we relate to our pain. Trying to avoid pain can make it worse. Accepting the reality of pain and approaching it objectively can help us better deal with pain.
- All of us experience pain and suffering, including the Apostle Paul. But Paul found purpose in his struggles nonetheless and he trusted God’s plan.
Quote This:
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 …Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Do you or have you struggled with chronic pain? Or do you know someone who has? What happened?
- Do you think there is anything of merit to the Gate Control Theory? Have you seen some of these ideas to be true in your experience?
- How does being mindful of our pain help reduce its effects? Have you seen this to be true that accepting our pain helps us deal with it?
- Who are the people around you who can support you through pain? How can you be supportive of others through their pain?
- Would you say you have a well-balanced life (diet, exercise, work-life balance, relationships)? If not, what steps can you begin taking to find balance?
- Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. How can Paul’s perspective on pain help us deal with our pain? What do you think it means that when we’re weak, we are strong in Christ?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
