I am not a fan of the dentist’s office to say the least. Yet, it became necessary for me to have some dental work done recently. The dentist’s words did little to comfort me. “You’re going to feel pain, and then pressure,” she stated. I immediately tensed up and could feel my heart pounding. As she began working on me I tried to calm myself without much success. Then I began to pray and though still very uncomfortable, I started to relax. Soon I felt my heart beat return to its regular, steady pattern. I calmed down, the procedure ended and the problem I had was resolved. That experience reminded me of something. Pain and pressure are sometimes necessary. Sometimes the resolution to our problem is on the other side of pain and pressure. Sometimes, the only thing we can do is stay calm and trust God. We must trust that God is present, God is at work and God can bring healing from painful situations. On the other side of pain and pressure we may find purpose, promise and hope. Our task is to trust the process and believe that God is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). I am still not a fan of the dentist, of pressure or of pain. I do trust the God who is at work in their midst.
