Sanctification in the Little Years

I made an appointment to see a chiropractor. My back has been hurting so much recently and it finally got to a point where I couldn’t deny I needed help. Of course, it wasn’t me who wisely discerned this fact, but my sweet husband who saw and heard my pain for weeks on end and finally convinced me it was time to see a doctor.

The practice that I made the appointment with is threefold. They provide chiropractic work, physical therapy, and massage therapy. I’ve been to this practice before for physical therapy with both of my pregnancies due to the very painful impact my sweet babies have had on my hips.

What I’ve always found interesting is the fact that most of their clients come in because of sports injuries, car wrecks, accident trauma, etc. The majority of their patients have suffered some event that has led to pain that they need help alleviating.

Me? I had kids. And now my body is broken.

I say that humorously, but it is truer than I want to admit. The chiropractor did one exam and declared it to be an all hands on deck situation. I would need him to help realign my bones and remove built up scar tissue in multiple areas of my body. I would need physical therapy to help strengthen the muscles that were underperforming. And I would need massage therapy to help work out the rope course that was my entire back and shoulders.

With every appointment, my joints and muscles are worked back into the places they are meant to be. The actual treatment is uncomfortable at best and borderline scream-inducing at worst. I thought the massage therapy would provide soothing relief, but no. She expertly found areas in my shoulders I didn’t even know existed and painstakingly worked to undo the knots that had taken up residence.

I’m sore for days after. I recover just in time for the next appointment. But it’s working.

I noticed, for the first time in my life, that I was taller than friends I’ve always thought were similar heights. My sleep isn’t as disturbed by pain as it has been recently. I’m able to carry my son for longer periods of time and walk with my daughter without having to call it quits sooner than I’d like.

But, though I already see the fruit, the need for these appointments hasn’t been removed. There is still scar tissue to take care of, still muscles to build up, still exercises and stretches for me to do at home. As much as I wanted to go in for a one-time fix, the process of restoring my body to a healthy point is on-going, intentional, and complicated.

It hasn’t taken long for me to realize how similar this chiropractic work is to the work God is doing in my life every single day.

Just like my chiropractic appointments, God has used so many pain points in motherhood to redeem and restore my weary soul. He has used tantrums to break down my selfishness and build up my patience. He has used times of sickness of injury to break down irrational fears and build up trust and wisdom. And he has used every overwhelming moment, when it all feels like too much, when it seems like I’m failing in every effort, to break down my pride and cement the truth in my heart that I need him.

But, though there are times I can see the fruit of this work, the need for it isn’t removed after one day, one week, or one year of the trials of the little years. As much as I want there to be a one-time fix, the process of sanctification is on-going, intentional, and complicated. This daily work is necessary to break down the the sin that has weaseled its way into areas of my life I didn’t even realize existed.

And the result is far more glorious than strong muscles and perfectly aligned hips.

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:6-9

Going to the chiropractor these days isn’t pleasant. I honestly don’t enjoy the visits. But I’ll keep going because the results are so worth it.

I’m starting to see the little years in the same light. There are a lot of moments that are unpleasant. And (surprise, surprise) I don’t enjoy the constant whining and need for discipline. But, by God’s grace, I will keep at it every day, looking towards the glory that is to come. I’ll keep my sights set on Christ and point my children to him as well.

If you’re in this season as well, let me virtually hold your hand as you undergo the painful work of sweet sanctification. These pain points are a gift. They are glorious. They are hard. They hurt. And they are worth it.