Attending Angels

Compression fractures in your vertebrae are complicated. They take a long time to heal. They can’t be wrapped in a cast. They can’t be elevated on something soft. And it’s tricky to keep pressure off of them. If all that wasn’t enough, there are many important muscle groups that are attached to your spine. An injured back affects your neck, shoulders, chest, ribs, abdomen, hips, and, of course, your butt.

However, there are several things you can do to improve the healing process. This week we are going to focus on a critical one: physical therapy.

I had never had physical therapy. Many friends of mine have gone to college for it and work in that field. But I didn’t get it. What’s so important about stretching? What am I missing? Well, it turns out there is a lot. Bones aren’t the only things keeping you standing. The muscles and tendons have a big job as well. And if you injure one of your bones, especially in the back, those muscles have to work overtime to compensate. Therefore, good physical therapy will work to strengthen those muscles in the proper way to aid in your healing process. I found out very quickly that just lying down on a couch for three months was unacceptable — and would lead to a lot of other problems down the road.

Last week I briefly mentioned that in Matthew 4:1 Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit so that he could be tempted by the devil. This was not a sabbatical. Nor was it a layover until his ministry began. This was a cross-examination. Jesus was going to be stretched like never before. And he was going to have to face very tough questions by an adversary that wanted nothing more than to bring him down.

But he didn’t even get to face this challenge from the comfort of his own bed. He was out in the elements. He was hungry, he was tired, and he was probably sore from spending so much time on the harsh terrain. He was alone too. But not for long. A verse that has been personally important to me for a while is found later on in the story.

Matthew 4:11 NIV

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Whenever I have gone through a hard time, I quite arrogantly tend to compare my struggles with those of Jesus. I give God a piece of my mind and tell Him, “Don’t you see me out here in this wilderness? Don’t you care that I am getting kicked around out here? Where are the angels that are supposed to help me? How long are you gonna hold out on me? Why do you hate me?” First of all, I don’t get to compare myself to Jesus and expect the same results. Second, I’m about as far from perfect as I can get, while Jesus has never done anything wrong. So when he is under attack from the devil, it hits very differently.

However, this doesn’t mean that God isn’t interested in helping us. As a matter of fact, God loves to reach out to us when we are struggling. 

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 40:31 NLT

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

That last verse is significant to me, because physical therapy is definitely wearying at first! I didn’t know what to expect my first time walking in, but over time I have come to find it is probably the most delightful experience ever. Let me paint you a picture. I walk in three times a week to a brightly lit gym with large windows, I am greeted by several (attractive) young women, all of whom know my name and are very happy to see me, I am led through various stretches and exercises for an hour with these cheerleaders encouraging me, and usually I end my sessions with some kind of massage or heat and electrical stimulation therapy. They give me a lot of attention! I have never failed to leave an appointment feeling so much better on the outside and the inside.

Those therapists that have been helping for the last few months are my angels attending to me. Sometimes they make me sweat; sometimes they push me to do what I don’t want to; but I am certain they are a blessing in my life and a gift from God that I needed in this season.

God knows how to help us. He made us and is intimately aware of what we are going through. But where we usually disagree with Him is on the timing. If I had my way God would answer my prayers instantly. If He followed my script I would have magically floated down from my ceiling instead of falling straight through it! But He will allow us to be tempted and tested for a time. He has a better plan for our future than we know. And if we have the wisdom to see it, we will come to understand that His timing is perfect.

One thing I hadn’t appreciated before is why God will wait to help us. Sometimes He waits until we need help so badly that when we receive it, we will know it came from Him and we will know that it came from His love. This is partially why He will allow pharaohs, goliaths, and any other devils to harass us and intimidate us into losing faith. Remember, Jesus didn’t have to wait for those angels, he could have gotten his needs met whenever he wanted. But he chose to wait on God.

I give a lot of credit to the medical workers and therapists that have been helping me recover from my injury. But I am certain that God has been orchestrating things far outside of my control and my understanding for a while. It might take 40 days, or even longer, but God will come through according to His plans, not ours. We have to continue trusting Him through the difficulties, because just past the devil accusing us are angels cheering us on.

Romans 5:3-5 NASB

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. .