It’s time for a guest blog! It really is a joy and privilege to showcase another writer’s heart and perspective every few weeks. This month we have a returning guest – Pastor Dawn Williams! She is one of the founding pastors at Liberty Church, and she’s an incredible wife and mom to her four sons. Dawn is one of my mentors and closest friends; she has an adventurous spirit but she’s also grounded in the Lord. I pray that you are encouraged today by her truth spoken in love as well as the wisdom from her life experiences!

Alignment by Dawn Williams

With the new decade of 2020, I was excited to set some goals. A new decade brings a higher level of inspiration, right? One of my goals was to run at least a mile everyday in the month of January. Then in mid- January, I started experiencing some intense low back pain. This is not unusual for me. I have experienced flare ups of low back pain off and on since I was a teenager.

A year after having my first child, I went to the chiropractor for the first time, and I have received adjustments to my spine occasionally over the years. I definitely believe in the benefits of making sure your spine is healthy, and as a result, your body is able to heal itself better. Unfortunately, it had been about 3 years since I had last been to the chiropractor. Just life and other priorities.

When the pain and spasms started, I thought it would just take some time to work itself out. I pressed on for about a week through the pain and discomfort doing what I could for relief. Still trying to walk, move, stretch, and exercise. After a week of dealing with it (I have a high pain tolerance and a stubborn personality), I knew it was time to make that appointment to get back to the chiropractor. So I swallowed my pride and made the call.

The first visit was painful. Not the adjustment itself, but just getting into the needed positions for the adjustment. All of my muscles were tight and sore, and things were out of alignment. I also received some extra therapy, but the visit did not bring relief right away like I was hoping. It was tough to sit, bend, and put my socks on. I was experiencing regular pain so it was hard to concentrate on my work. Laying flat on the floor was my most comfortable position that brought rest and relief.

I pushed through, reached out to God more, and deepened my faith in Him and His promises. I was praying for Him to heal me, and He was. It was taking some time, and each day it got better. Do you know what was the best part? It forced me to rely more on God. This back situation was out of my control, and I needed His help and comfort every moment of the day.

In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul talks about extreme pressure in his life. Pressure that could have easily overtaken him. Verses 9 & 10 says, “But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.” Uncomfortable situations are uncomfortable, but they help us grow in our faith if we allow them to point us towards God and deepen our faith. With God, there is always purpose in the pain. The pain is not from God, but He can use it for our good and His glory.

God was speaking so much truth to me in this unpleasant situation. It was obvious as I looked in the mirror that my hips were very much out of alignment. As I walked, I felt like things were ‘crooked.’ And they very much were. I had to submit to the process of getting realigned and allow my body time to heal. The pain and discomfort have now subsided, and I have committed to regular chiropractic visits again. Yes, that needs to be a priority in my life.

I am left with some life lessons that God gave me. So many situations in life are hard. You have your own hard things right now. They could be extremely hard that you feel like you will be crushed under the pressure. You don’t see a way out. That is God’s specialty. He can do the impossible beyond however we may try to figure it out on our own. Uncomfortable situations are opportunities to press into God, and allow Him to deepen our faith and trust in Him. We can choose to grow and see the other side where we can actually thank God for allowing us to go on that journey. I am not grateful for the pain, but I am grateful for what God taught me about Him and myself in the pain. I am grateful for the opportunity to put my faith to the test and see that He is good and experience His comfort when I can’t control the pain.

At the beginning of this new decade, I couldn’t decide on a word for the year. I am an Enneagram 9, which is a ‘Peacemaker’, and I struggle with clarity. The flip side of this personality is when I get clarity on something, I can move forward and make decisions easily. Now, I can clearly see my word to think on and experience for this year is ‘Alignment.’ The dictionary defines ‘Alignment’ as an “arrangement in a straight line, or in correct or appropriate relative positions” or “a position of agreement or alliance.”

Alignment is all about keeping things in order and straight. Functioning to its best capacity. What are the habits, rhythms, and priorities that keep my life in alignment with God? It also is a position of agreement. Agreeing with God about His promises. God is first in my life, and all wisdom and direction comes from Him and His Word.

“Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil. It will be health to your body [your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles–all your inner parts] and refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones.” – Proverbs 3:5-8 (AMP)

Everything flows out of our relationship with God. Our alignment with Him. I am believing and receiving God’s love for me and embracing His grace everyday. I am expecting a beautiful year of healthy growth as I trust God first in every issue that pops up. I choose to align my heart and mind to His Word and His Spirit because He will remove obstacles in my path and help me go in the right direction. I will receive health in my physical body as I trust Him with all the things and make better decisions in my daily habits. This isn’t just for me. He will do this for you as well.