I just recently got all four of my wisdom teeth extracted. Yes, all four. Whew! I had never been sedated before or even under laughing gas so I was very curious to see how this was going to pan out. Months before, I had received some numbing cream on my gums and that wore off in 5 minutes, so needless to say, I was a little nervous that the sedation would do the same.
I watched them hook me up to an oxygen tube. I wore the blood pressure indicator on my arm. They monitored my pulse and everything. I felt like I was really going into surgery. Shortly after, they found the vein in my hand, stuck it with a needle and entered the sedation. It didn’t happen immediately like I anticipated. The oral surgeon was still talking to me and asking me if I had any questions. Of course I asked if they keep my teeth lol. I could feel myself dozing off. What seemed like 5 minutes later, I feel a tap on my shoulder and a voice saying, “wake up, Aaqila.” I woke up groggy and thinking, oh great, they are telling me they are about to begin. Instead she said, “Aaqila, we are finished.” I glanced at a clock and a whole hour had passed. That was a crazy feeling.
I thought about this process some more. Teeth extractions are really painful, but through the entire procedure, I did not feel a thing and it went by in what felt like 5 minutes. I really wish that growing in life was a lot like this procedure. I wish that there was some sort of life sedation that would help me be better without feeling any pain.
Growing pains are difficult and a bit overwhelming for me personally. Yet, I find myself experiencing them more times than not, especially when I do not give into comfort. There are moments where I even choose discomfort, like in the workplace, for example. There might be a task I need to complete in a short amount of time or work a 16 hour day instead of 8. I recognize the discomfort ahead and still follow through. And as a result of these long days, I am then influenced to only seek comfort personally.
Another Big Texas Cinnamon Roll? Yes, I deserve it.
A whole pint of Ice Cream late at night? Yes, I deserve it.
Wasting time on my phone playing Candy Crush all night? Yes, I deserve it.
Secluding myself from others because of social exhaustion? Yes, I deserve it.
Wrong.
Just like the workplace example, I recognize the discomfort ahead, yet I don’t follow through. I find myself giving in to so many things that may not always classify as “sin” but definitely entangle me and stunt my personal growth. It definitely is difficult to continuously find myself in a position of suffering and discomfort in some many areas of my life. However, with time, I look back and see how it is very rewarding. My diet may be better or time spent may be more productive. My relationships may be healthier. My endurance gets stronger.
Ok God, I see that submitting my comfort gives room for you to step in. I can even see the growth. This encourages me to stay the course, even when I know discomfort lies ahead.
This poster is designed by a super talented friend, Lachelle Robotham. Check her out: lachellerobotham.com
