The pain behind my shoulder blade shoots down my arm, feeling like a strong fist has grabbed those muscles to twist with a vengeance. It limits how I move my arm.

You continue to patiently teach me, slow learner that I am, how the physical world parallels the spiritual one. And even though I am used to regarding as real only that which I can see or touch, You are retraining me to look with the eyes of my spirit.  As You sharpen my vision, I am enabled to walk by faith, not by actual sight. So, I ask You if this particular health hiccup has spiritual significance as some of my other ones have. Yes.

You designed my hands and arms to lift up in earnest praise, surrender and supplication ( Lamentations 2:19, 3:40-41, Nehemiah 8:6, Psalm 63:4, 134:2). Instead, I have again chosen to try to carry burdens I am not intended to bear. Instead of running to You to place the impossible, hurtful, frustrating circumstances in Your Outstretched , Pierced, Able Hands, I attempt to hold the crushing heaviness of the situations. I allow my thoughts to be occupied by my perspective and helplessness. My heart and spirit grow weary and before I know it, I am overwhelmed and defeated.

At first hint of trouble, I desire my natural and first inclination to be to RUN to You! To hand over that which I am clearly not designed to carry. You invite and instruct me to cast my burden upon You ( Psalm 55:22, Matthew 11:28-30, 1Peter 5:7, Philippians 4:6-7).

Holy Spirit, in all matters of transformation, I am completely helpless to change. Thank You that You desire and promise to do the work for and in me. I need You.