Featured photo courtesy of Adobe Spark by innokurina.
Light shone through the panel, highlighting the x-rays and problems of my lower back.
You see, sporting flip flops while jumping to worship songs (and the Hokey Pokey), alongside 1500 students, proved harmful to my adult body. And a friendly competition on the conference stage with other youth directors when I out jumped them all? It only added to the problem.
So, three days later, my back went out. I needed help just to walk.
Thus, I required complete dependence on my family.
Yet, I waited until the second episode to see an orthopedic doctor. And he showed me an anatomy model of the sacroiliac joint along with my x-rays.
My injury tore away cartilage from these joints that connect the spine to each side of the pelvis.
The space between bones of the joint narrow or rub against each other…arthritis.
That was nine years ago. Today, I still deal with the back issue and a few more joints where arthritis set up residence in other areas of my body.
Types of arthritis affect all ages, even children. Though the condition is more common in aging people. It not only causes pain, but may also be debilitating through swelling, stiffness, decreased range of motion, and permanent damage. Treatments include activities to strengthen surrounding muscles, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medicines, and hot-cold therapy. (arthritis.org)
But, another form of the condition exists—spiritual arthritis.
[bctt tweet=”Arthritis keeps joints in the body from functioning properly, as intended and designed by the Creator. And spiritual arthritis fails to function properly in the body of Christ. @FridayKaren #blog #spiritual” username=”PatHolbrook”]
Spiritual Arthritis
The Apostle Paul describes the body of Christ in Ephesians 4.
First, in verse 1, Paul urges believers to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling.” Then he describes how to equip the body to function properly.
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
(Verses 11-16, ESV, emphasis mine)
Take the Test
Reflect on these questions to determine spiritual arthritis. While there’s no score to calculate, let the Lord shine His light on these areas, highlighting any problem areas.
1.) Am I walking in a manner worthy of my calling with humility, patience, and bearing others in love? (Verses 1-2)
2.) Am I eager to maintain unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace within the body? (Verse 3)
3.) Do I let Christian leaders equip me for ministry and then help build up the body? (Verse 12)
4.) Does every wind of doctrine carry me or am I maturing in Christ? (Verses 13-14)
5.) Is Christ the “head” as I grow up in every way into Him? (Verse 15)
6.) Is my part of the body of Christ functioning properly, making the body grow, building it up in love? (Verse 16)
See The Cure
Although there’s no known cure for arthritis, the spiritual kind has a cure. Follow this antidote:
- Practice complete dependence on God and His Word for help in walking worthy.
- Connect and unify with other believers of the faith in a local church.
- Gain strengthening and equipping through pastors and teachers.
- Grow continuously and consistently toward maturity in Christ as the head.
- Increase range of motion through laboring in ministry, building up others in the body, speaking the truth in love, and exercising spiritual gifts.
What areas resonate most with you?
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[bctt tweet=”LINKUP is open. Join my friend @FridayKaren as we discuss the symptoms of #spiritual arthritis and how it keeps the body of Christ from functioning properly. Take the #test and discover the cure. Share your blog! #blog ” username=”PatHolbrook”]
This is so timely, Karen. I’ve never seen the body of Christ functioning so poorly as it has the last few years. May we actively seek God’s treatment to grow in grace and knowledge of Him and build up others.
I agree, Barbara! You make such a valid point during our current days in the body of Christ! Lord, help us be supporting ligaments for the church!
Timely post, Karen, as there is much division and disunity. May we be willing to submit to the Lord’s correction, grow in grace, and encourage others in their walk with God. It is the way we will all live through these days without growing weary and remain steadfast.
Oh, yes, Joanne. Sadly, there is a lack of unity among God’s people, seems like now more than ever! I pray we grow up into every way with Christ as our head!
I wish I did not agree with the two comments from Joanne and Barbara, but I do. The turmoil in the world has landed in the church and is drawing us further away from where God wants us. I have physical arthritis and more than enough surgeries to help my back, neck, hip, and knee. Ouch!! But the way you list cures for spiritual arthritis is so insightful! Because I have the physical, I am looking at my spiritual arthritis and bemoaning the fact that I have several needs for surgery and PT there as well. More time with my Lord and Maker is a huge start. I am in the process of moving so will be looking for a church home at the end of the move…another state…another city. I want to be mindful of these needs and cures. Thanks so much for writing this just for me today!!
Linda, thanks for sharing your story and experience with the physical form of arthritis. It makes the analogy come alive for you as it does for me. I pray to mature in Christ and not be carried by every wind of doctrine, but stand firm on God’s Word.
And praying for your move and looking for a body of Christ.
What a great analogy. And great points!
Thanks, Lauren.
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV
I’m a little bit of a medical nerd, Karen, and know several people with arthritis, so this whole thing really resonates with me! Especially the concepts of friction and range of motion. Thank you!
I enjoy the much of the medical stuff too, Bethany. Yes, considering friction and range of motion as it applies to spiritual arthritis really resonates with me, too.
Karen, this is a great reminder of how our walks impact one another. Thank you.
It sure is, Debbie. When we consider we are to build up the other parts of the body of Christ, while we walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, it reminds us of this great truth.