On a medical mission trip last year to a jungle village, I assisted an ophthalmologist in helping blind people from dense cataracts recover their sight with the aid of cataract surgery and the implantation of an intraocular lens. I have observed this surgery many times in the United States. But performing this procedure is much different needless to say in a jungle mission compound hospital.
Well, my coworker and brother in Christ, Dr. David Brown taught me the basics of administering this block while in flight to Borneo. I asked many questions, but the whole idea made me feel squirmy. In the medical profession we often use this phrase when training others to do a procedure, “See one, teach one, do one.” And that’s just what happened for me. I saw Dr. David administer this deep injection under the eye, with 5cc of medication that burns. Then, it was my turn next. And the next 69 people, I did.
The first day we began our surgeries, I was already sweating profusely from the 100 degree temperatures with 100 percent humidity as we were right on the equator off the South China Sea . As I gave the first few painful injections under the patients’ eyes, I sweat even more. My neck muscles were tensed, and my face felt tight as I inflicted this awful anesthetic block to these people who so wanted to see again.
Some of them cried out, “Sockeed, sockeed!!” This means, “Pain, painful! Sick!!” But I had no choice except to deliver the painful block so they could proceed with the surgery. I agonized silently as I inserted each inch and half long needle below the orbit of their eye. After one woman cried out in distress, I glared at my mission team mate Tom, and poured forth my stuffed agony, “I can’t do this one more time.”
He looked at me intently and said words that ring in my ears yet today. He calmly instructed me,“Sister, there must be pain before healing.”
I knew it was the truth. I had to continue to cause them pain, for them to be able to see again. I am a merciful person. I don’t like to hurt anyone. But I knew in my heart I must be brave and strong, and give the medication to each and every one of them. I prayed, “Jesus, help me. Jesus, please help me.”
And He did. I got stronger each time I gave one of the anesthetic blocks.
This is such a picture in my own mind how God allows pain in our lives; before He can heal us. Pain causes us to evaluate: 1) how we are living 2) our relationship with Him 3) how we are treating those around us. The truth of God’s Word is often painful as it pierces our hearts and reveals sin in our life. Heb. 4:12, “For the Word of God is living, and active. Sharper than any double –edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
As a Christian I find now as I tell others the gospel of Jesus Christ I am afraid at first to cause any one pain as I speak the truth. But the more I do it, the braver and stronger I get just like my giving the painful injections I described. I know now with the Word of God, I must let the truth pierce others hearts as it has pierced my own at times, and let God heal and restore the hearer of it. If I do not speak the truth of the gospel; it would be like me refusing to give the anesthetic to the blind patient; and having them not be able to get surgery to receive their sight; and remain in the darkness.
I heard a prominent radio pastor say, “I know God has called me to comfort the afflicted, and also to afflict the comforted.” I love this quote. I find it easy as Christian to comfort the afflicted too, but I am learning to let the Holy Spirit speak or work through me to afflict the comforted, or the comfortable, as I testify of Him and His Word to them.
The truth is that we are all blind and in the dark until we accept the sacrifice of Jesus’ death and resurrection for our sins. Jesus suffered excruciating pain for us to receiving healing for our incurable disease called, “sin.” So, my brother in the Lord Tom, spoke a great truth to me, “Sister, there must be pain before healing.”
