It Takes Too Long

An Inguinal Hernia is a medical condition where the intestines seep through a natural between the lower lateral abdominal muscles called the inguinal canal. This can happen naturally, as in from birth, and can happen through sedentary lifestyle, where the muscles aren't being properly exercised. See gratuitous medical gross-out images if you'd like.

I'm an impatient man. Perhaps through being spoiled by the invention of microwave ovens, cell phones and the internet I've come to expect the natural forces of nature to work with the same punctual immediacy.

But I've been learning something lately that God's Word says on the matter: "... let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:4). It goes on to talk about asking in faith to receive wisdom, endurance and eventually healing. It mentions that faith without works is dead. It parallels the patience we need to have to that of a farmer, who does his work and waits for the garden to grow. "You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (James 5:8).

I have a strong feeling that James is writing to the Jews during the time of Shavuot, known as the feast of first fruits. That's a season when we reflect on God's goodness. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above...". We receive at the feast of first fruits the implanted produce that God brought to fullness. Similar farming allegorical references are made throughout the book of James, which is why Shavout comes to mind.

Back to patience - When a farmer starts he doesn't stop working. He's pulling out weeds, protecting the plants from hail and bugs, and warding off other animals that might devour his hard efforts. Patience takes action, and isn't entirely about waiting.

I've been warned by two different people that this will take at least six months to naturally heal. Poetic that a growing season lasts six to eight months.

There's plenty to do ... and plenty to *not* do. As a farmer, you don't look out at the crop a month after planting it and, not satisfied with how quickly the plant is growing uproot it. I have to remember this stuff - I'm not a farmer, so thinking this way doesn't come naturally. Exercises, meditation, prayer, diet, supplements, rest, acupuncture, and reflexology seem to all play a part in this. Not overexerting myself, not lifting items more than five pounds, not overeating, not eating junk food, not getting upset.

That last one - not getting upset - is the most difficult for me, and one of the greatest causes of my hernia flaring out. I can't explain it other than maybe by getting tense and upset my muscles down there tighten (like stiffening my neck when I get angry) which pushes the hernia, rather than pulls it. Excessive coughing fits have been known to create inguinal hernias where the "patient" hadn't had one before, so this seems feasible.

So to heal, I need to be patient. That seems to mean I don't get angry or upset when healing isn't happening fast enough to my liking. It also means that I take action in belief that this can be cured in time.

As a side note, I am not being foolish about this. I have educated myself on the dangers of this condition and am prepared to move towards surgery in the event that it heads towards a life threatening condition. I also have regular check ups with a doctor. "Watchful waiting" is being practiced intelligently.