A few years back, I had an experience that taught me the power of refusing to be afraid. It was Thanksgiving, and my husband and I were to meet relatives at a restaurant several hours away. As is our custom, we left home early to take the scenic route. I had been experiencing some discomfort in my back but found a way to brace myself so I could ride out the bumpy roads. At dinner, I was in some pain but still able to enjoy the time with our loved ones.

Over the holiday weekend, I experienced elevating levels of pain whenever I moved around. I had been praying, but pretty casually. At one point I needed to go to the market for our weekly shopping. Driving myself meant that I could not brace myself to avoid feeling the road’s seemingly endless patches, potholes, and speed humps. 

Returning home after crisscrossing the market using the shopping cart as a walker, then hauling the bags upstairs to our apartment, I felt miserable and lay on the floor in pain and in tears.