Joint Protection
During one occupational therapy session, the therapist gave me a list of general principles of joint protection. Number one on the list is respect for pain. I believe each of us can relate to that.
However, as I read through the list, along with recommendations of joint protection techniques, several correlations popped up in my mind between joint protection and protecting ourselves spiritually.
Respect for Pain
Pain, whether it be mental, physical, or spiritual is real. Trying to pretend it doesn’t exist helps no one. Pain alerts us that there is a problem. It tells us something needs to be done to resolve or alleviate whatever is causing the pain.
When we feel pain, whether it is mental anguish, joint pain, or spiritual upheaval, the first step toward resolving it is to take it in prayer to God.
Balance Between Rest and Work
If we push our self too hard and don’t build in breaks or rest periods, not only our bodies, but everything else will suffer. Not just for us, but for those who live life with us.
Do you remember the adage, All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy? Yep. That.
On the seventh day of Creation, God rested. He set the example for us in this. Solomon in Ecclesiastes said there is a time to work and a time to rest. We’d be wise to follow these instructions.
Maintenance of Muscle Strength
In the area of physical strength, this is one thing I am slowly getting back to. I haven’t worked on this, beyond the muscles in my hand, since surgery last year to replace two finger joints . And it definitely shows.
Spiritually, when we exercise our prayer and Bible study muscles, we are strengthened beyond what anything else could do for us. As with physical strength training, when we don’t do it, it shows.
Avoidance of Positions of Deformity
For joint protection, this one is a biggie. If we constantly put our joints into positions they were not intended to be in, our bodies will suffer. I used to have a habit of standing on one leg with my foot on the inside of my other knee, kinda like a flamingo. I don’t do that anymore.
When we put our self in a spiritual position or compromise on what we know to be God’s Truth, we suffer. It won’t give us arthritic knees. It will give us something worse. Distance from God.
Use of the Strongest/Largest Joints Available for the Job
For joint protection, if there is a larger joint available, say using your whole arm instead of just your hand or wrist, use it. It gives added protection to the smaller joint.
In anything we come up against in life, the largest, strongest help we have is our Savior Jesus Christ. Our weak efforts are like trying to use our pinkie to lift something instead of bending at the knees, and lifting with our whole body.
Avoidance of Holding or Staying in One Position for Prolonged Periods of Time
Because the majority of my day is spent at my computer, I stay in one position for prolonged periods of time. More than just the joints in my hands are affected by this. Staying in one position for prolonged periods of time is not good for my entire body.
If we are stuck in our spiritual growth, refuse to dig deeper into the Bible for its Truth, and then decide not to apply whatever it is we learn to our life, we’re staying in a spiritual holding pattern too long.
Avoidance of Activities that Cannot be Stopped Immediately if They Become Stressful
Sometimes we engage in activities we have no business engaging in. We become involved with people or situations we have no business being involved with. At those times, the longer we engage or involve our self with them, the harder it becomes to stop.
The Bible tells us to avoid all types of evil. There’s a good reason it says that.
Use of Assistive Equipment and Splinting
After my hand surgery, I had assistive equipment and splinting to help my finger joints. My joints weren’t strong enough to function on their own. As annoying as my splints and devices became, and trust me, they were annoying, I needed them.
We weak humans are not strong enough on our own. We kid our self many a time that we are, but friend, we are not. We need assistance. We need help. We need God. We need Jesus. We need the Holy Spirit.
Your Turn
Do you have any other spiritual insights to share comparing protecting our joints and protecting our spiritual life?
Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.
Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. Psalm 40:11 NLT
I wish you well.
Sandy
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