The Gift of Pain
(a brief lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)
Chances are you have never heard of Hansen's Disease; or if you have, you can't quite recall what it was you once knew about it (or maybe you are that rare reader who will think, "Wasn't that on an episode of the X-Files?"). And, if you don't know about Hansen's Disease, then in all likelihood you have never heard of Dr. Paul Brand, the Leonardo da Vinci of the Hansen's Disease universe.
Perhaps you know Hansen's by its other name: leprosy.
That's what this week's lectionary passage in 2 Kings Chapter 5 says afflicted Naaman, an Aramean who commanded the King's army. Now, there's this big controversy over whether what the Bible calls leprosy is always the same as Hansen's, and I certainly don't know; but the recent discovery of a 4,000-year old skeleton has established that Hansen's was present in the area at the time. All I'll say is this: whatever he had, it was serious. The King of Aram sent 750 pounds of silver and 150 pounds of gold with him to Israel in hopes it would purchase a cure for the Naaman's condition . . . that's over $3 million US dollars!!
If Naaman did have Hansen's, then his likely symptoms included white, scaly skin (and it seems to be the obvious symptom described in the passage); and one other very notable symptom: lack of protective sensation. In other words, a significantly diminished sensitivity to pain. Hansen's is a progressive disease; if not treated, every symptom worsens over time. While at first glance an insensitivity to pain might look like a good thing, especially for a warrior, there is a real downside.
What? Wouldn't the absence of pain be a blessing, especially for those suffering from such a terrible disease? It was Dr. Brand who first raised the thought that the observable symptoms of the disease--skin lesions, blindness, crippled limbs, disfigured faces--might be a result of the nerve damage caused by the disease rather than a direct result of the disease. He quickly began documenting lack of pain along with the other symptoms. Over time he drew the attention of the wider medical community to an inescapable conclusion: the lack of pain in these people's lives was causing them harm. They didn't notice when a rock or limb scratched them, and so made no attempt to protect themselves from infection; simple abrasions led to serious problems; a twisted ankle went unnoticed, was never immobilized, and dislocation became permanent; a serious domino effect leading to loss of limbs, facial features, vision.
After first throwing a fit because the Prophet Elisha failed to make enough of a big deal over him, Naaman was eventually convinced by those who cared about him to comply with the Prophet's simple instructions. And, after bathing seven times in the Jordan as instructed, was cured of his leprosy; his skin fully restored.
And, along with his skin, he may also have regained his pain; that quality of life we often wish was not present, but which is really a gift from a loving God; a gift that protects us in a world filled with hidden dangers, injuries that could deepen and cause us great harm if not for the signpost of pain to draw our attention to address them early. It is a gift to the spirit as well as the body.
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Dr. Brand wrote several books, three of which were written with Philip Yancey, including PAIN: THE GIFT NOBODY WANTS. In addition, Dr. Brand is also one of the featured subjects of Yancey's book, SOUL SURVIVOR.
If you are in Waco, TX on Friday, join the group for breakfast and more of the above at the Olive Branch restaurant (8:00 a.m. in River Square, on Franklin between 3rd and University Parks).
Blessings,
Steve
