Pain is no stranger to any of us.

But it’s on a first-name basis to many of you reading this.

The 4 most common conditions Americans struggle with are chronic back, head, joint and nerve pain.

Some statistics say that 84% of Americans will suffer from chronic back pain in their lifetime.

It’s the leading cause of disability and lost productivity in the workplace today.

However, only 10% of the world’s population suffer from lower back pain.

Americans spend at least $50 billion annually on treating back pain.

Women suffer from back pain more than men.

Lower back pain becomes more common as you get older.

I have recurring bouts of sciatica which is a nerve pain that starts in one hip or the other and goes down one leg or the other.

Everyone with pain is on their own unique journey to find the relief they long for.

In the words of the Apostle Peter to the lame man, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee.”

So, for all you who are deeply acquainted with pain, here is how I spell relief:

T-I-M-E: Hang in there and trust that the day will come when you will have no pain.

And I am not just talking about the day you die!

Although heaven’s joy will be pain-free, your body is constantly changing and so is the world of medicine and treatments.

There is one other way I spell relief.

P-R-A-Y-E-R: I do believe in the power of prayer to either heal or give the endurance needed to gain victory over pain.

Paul had his “thorn-in-the-flesh” which might have been a real source of pain for him.

He prayed for deliverance, but God did not remove it.

Paul learned to deal with it.

Do not let pain win.

I have a dear elderly friend who lives with chronic back pain.

Yet, she is still the best encourager of others.

She writes cards to hundreds of other senior adults throughout the year.

She has turned her pain into motivation to bless others.

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Dan Williams is the senior adult pastor at Lexington Baptist Church.