Something else you might not understand is that eye surgery always does damage. That is why they wait until there is no other choice. It is why they don't put intraocular lenses in people to correct their vision until they already need cataract surgery. So this surgery, which is somewhere in the neighborhood of number thirty, has left me seeing worse than before—but still seeing, mind you, which I would not have been without it. But this is how I see: I see three of whatever I look at, the left side is heavily fogged, and starbursts shoot out from behind whatever I am looking at if there is any bright light anywhere. They tell me this will improve, that neuroadaptation will set in, with my brain blocking the bad and keeping the good. Well, it's been nearly three months and I am still waiting. My brain must be a little slow on this one.
Then there are the meds. I take three strong meds, all of which burn, not just for a few seconds, but for several minutes afterward, a long and major burn. Right after a surgery, I am pouring alcohol on road rash, so to speak, but in my eye instead of on a skinned knee. This time the doctor blasted five holes in my cornea and the raw edges kept me in pain constantly for a couple of weeks, whenever I blinked and especially after medicating. At least now, though there is always some discomfort, the bad burn is only after medication. Keith has taken to holding me when I put in the eye drops. Does it help the pain? No. I grab and squeeze and bounce up and down and occasionally pound on his back, doing my best not to make much noise. It is still extremely painful. And throughout the day, the discomfort comes in other less obvious ways, often ending in a rip-roaring headache. But it helps my state of mind to know that someone understands, that even when I walk in the meetinghouse with a smile on my face and pleasant greetings for all my brothers and sisters, that someone knows what is really going on behind the smile.
And God is that comfort for us. When trials and temptations come our way, God does not take away the pain. Those are the very things that cause us to grow stronger and become fit for the kingdom. But he does offer comfort. That comfort comes from forgiveness (Isa 40:1,2), His church (Zion/Jerusalem, Isa 51:3; 66:13), His discipline (Psalm 23:4); His law (Psalm 119:52), His love (Psalm 119:76), and His promises (Psalm 119:50). The ultimate comfort comes from His Son who took part in lives exactly like ours so, just like my husband knows how I am feeling when no one else does, He would know how we feel when the trials of life afflict us. "Nobody understands" is not true for a child of God.
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Heb 2:14-18).
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb 4:14-16).
Life is not supposed to be fun and easy. We messed that up a long time ago and have only ourselves to blame. But in His great love, God still offers us comfort when we need it. Sometimes it comes from the arms of a loved one, the words of a favorite Bible verse, the strands of a favorite hymn, the phone calls of a beloved brother or sister, or any number of other ways. All we need to do is reach for it, and then to spread that comfort to others as well. Despite what a few stubborn loners believe, no one can make it by himself. Reach out and take hold of the comfort and know that He understands and has compassion on us. If you don't find that comfort, perhaps you just aren't looking for it.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too (2Cor 1:3-5).
Dene Ward