The problem with pain management is the darkness of the cure -- at least part of the time.

If you have chronic pain, are your days and nights mixed up like mine? At least part of the time?

I have some good spells, brought on, at least in part, by the just right balance of pain and narcotic pain medicines. Then, after this good spell, my body reacts to the medicines and I have to sleep off the excess cure. So, like today, I do not get going until sometime after lunch and when bed time comes, well, it is like it was 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Still plenty of day time left.

Trouble is, by being awake a goodly part of the night, the next day is mixed up as well, and just like adjusting to the medicines and the pain, now I have to readjust my sleeping habits.

Throw in some nights when the pain keeps you awake and you have a very mixed up life. You are completely out of sinc with everyone else. Listening to the light snores of my wife is not near as exciting as listening to her laughs.

I have been reading John, especially his Gospel. John talks a lot about light and darkness. While it is clear that sometimes darkness equates to evil, at other times, well, it is hard to tell. He will make a statement like "and it was night." Does he just mean it is dark out? Or, does he suggest the event occurred because it was the time of evil?

I wonder about my life in this sense, at least at times. Usually the times are those times above where I am a day or two out of sinc, really need to sleep but am awake, pain ebbing in my rump or groin that the medicines will not quiet, and, well, it is night. Depression is just around the corner. Fatigue adds a lot to one's emotional state. Most of it is not very good. Darkness appears to rule.

Still, I remember that after the darkness comes the sun rise. Good times are just around the movement of the hour hand. So, what are your nights like? Isn't it good to remember that God is with you even in the darkness. If we get lost in our emotions, darkness will control. If we stay focused on Jesus, well, if you will excuse the play on words, the So(u)n is always rising. Morning is at hand.

Admittedly, the trick is to stay focused, even in the dark. That is when more Bible reading, more prayers, more devotional time pay off. Even if you drift into the night and darkness, God is faithful to pull you back to Him -- usually in good, quick time. No matter what goes on in your mind, His mind knows where you are at. He is still in control and will take care of you.

So, remember all of those sun rises, it will help to stay focused on the Son rises.

The pain loses.

Jim A