Pain is a tough door to walk through.

AARP writer Patrick Kiger reported in July Chronic Pain Afflicts Most older Adults in a Harris poll survey Of 2,011 adults. 20% of those age 55-64 and 25% of those 65 and older have given up on were compelled to give up some activity they loved to do because of pain. 57% of those 55-64 deal with chronic pain and 64% of those 65 and older deal with chronic pain. 85% and 88% of each group find some way to deal with pain.
Giving up activities I think come as we age. Some activities would be more friendly as we age. Rugby, boxing, American football would have an earlier retirement from the sport. Workouts once did may stay with us a little longer. I think activities can be replaced or modified. Pain though is a reality. Moving forward changes have to part of the strategy.
We try medicine, physical therapy, chiropractics, yoga. The 20-25% of older people who give up probably have tried these things and pain remains. That can be discouraging. For others these strategies help us continue.
Today I did what my heart doctor wants me to do more often. Watch TV and just bike. There is a

Au. 26 week

benefit of getting distracted, before you know it you have moved past your daily goal.
This week I took a few days off. My bruising got a little worse. I am still bleeding in my joint. Inflammation improved, back on the bike. Each time it took time before pain eased as I warmed up and fluid moving into the joints. Easier levels but choosing to engage in an increased pace.
Strength training minutes were added during the week. Toward the end of the week I did more short walks.
Pain is real and it does affect us. I think of my grandson with a disability walking through doors and increasing his experience and success. This lovely fellow gives me motivation to move through my doors. I have never have been as sweet as him, but I remember many of the doors I had to walk through or at times fight. Have you ever fought a fight you knew you would lose? The fight has to happen and if you can make it painful enough for the winner, would be less likely to do it again. My application was facing bullies who liked to attack crippled kids. I always surprised these bums. There is a fear to it though.

When I came to faith in Jesus as my Savior, I liked the thought
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear not evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Ps. 23:4 Death carries a bigger shadow then the bullies I faced as a kid. Pain is part of this shadow. The rod and staff are part of the same truth of God's protection.
For years I was taught how God uses these tools "rod and staff" in discipline. But over time I rethought the verse. Evil desires to destroy us, those tools fights off thugs, robbers and murderers seeking to harm or kill. We certainly need still waters and pastors for restoration and healing. How ever we have pain we can use, medicine, therapy, good food, exercise that makes sense for us. We can walk through the doors we are afraid of. In the big picture we need the Lord to be with us. Keep walking.