{"id":1542,"date":"2015-02-06T18:07:54","date_gmt":"2015-02-06T18:07:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=1542"},"modified":"2015-02-06T18:07:54","modified_gmt":"2015-02-06T18:07:54","slug":"chronic-pain-catching-your-breath-on-the-roller-coaster-ride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2015\/02\/chronic-pain-catching-your-breath-on-the-roller-coaster-ride.html","title":{"rendered":"Chronic Pain: Catching Your Breath on the Roller Coaster Ride"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Image<\/a>
Image courtesy of Maggie Smith\/FreeDigitalPhotos.net<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It isn’t often that we get a lull in the “medical” action during our lives with chronic pain. In fact, such moments, brief or long, might take us by complete suprise – and we don’t fully realize them until they’re in the rearview mirror. (Much like that “aha!” moment when we’ve gone through the day and suddenly realize that the “bad” knee behaved.) Or we might be so focused on a flare-up of trouble in one area that we don’t recognize the relative healing that’s taking place elsewhere in our same, oh-so-complex body.<\/p>\n

The lulls might not be fully free of pain, but they do come with an extra dose of peace of mind and heart, comfort, or at least an easing of the stressful burden of hurting. I look upon them as God’s way of allowing me to catch my breath, store up faith and hope, and re-ignite trust that all is not completely wrapped in a shroud of suffering.<\/p>\n

In order to recognize a lull as it happens, we have to be mindful of what’s taking place in our bodies. Not egotistically focused, but “just checking in” with the various locations where we know the battle between pain and peace is being waged. Moments in meditation can help us do this, as can time in prayer or gentle stretching.<\/p>\n

Once I recognize a lull, the first thing I do is lift up a really delighted “Thank you!” Gratitude is a sure way of shifting focus from what’s wrong to what’s right. Next, I allow myself to breathe, to enjoy the time in the lull, imagining myself in a boat gently bobbing along in a peaceful but active body of water.<\/p>\n

When lulls pass, as they will do, we might feel letdown or sad. Or, perhaps angry. But the time we spent enjoying them can help us be strong in the aftermath, and moving ahead, we can be better-sure that lulls will come again, offering us God-given respite, grace, and joy.<\/p>\n

Blessings for the day!<\/p>\n

Maureen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It isn’t often that we get a lull in the “medical” action during our lives with chronic pain. In fact, such moments, brief or long, might take us by complete suprise – and we don’t fully realize them until they’re in the rearview mirror. 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She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans. A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. 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