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Endorphins: The Giving and Receiving
by Paula Malcein, Charis midwifery student
My Dear Charis
Family,
Back in January the
Lord blessed me greatly by being able to spend a few days with Kristin
Schuchmann and her family. While there I shared something very special
that the Lord Jesus gave to me when I was studying about the phenomenal hormones
during labor. Kristin asked me if I would be willing to write about my hormonal
revelations and share it with you. So here it is!
I’ve always loved
comparisons, especially when God takes something “earthly” and gives it a
biblical or spiritual comparison.
Discovering the role
endorphins play during labor, I was so impressed and intrigued by how
intricately God has created a woman’s body, not just to give birth, but every
aspect and minute detail that He put in place to play-out just right. During
labor endorphins are only produced when a woman is in pain and those same
endorphins are the source of relief for her pain. I also learned that babies go
through pain (or intense discomfort) during labor as well, but those dear little
ones are not capable of producing their own endorphins to help relieve their
pain. They must rely on their mother to produce the pain-relieving endorphins
for them. If their mother is not experiencing pain (has been administered an
epidural or some other anesthesia) then she is not producing endorphins, which
means that baby is not receiving endorphins, which means that baby has no relief
of his pain, which means that baby could go into distress.
God showed me how
intricately He has put His plan of salvation together and that it was set in
place before the foundation of the world was laid. “Father, I will that they
also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My
glory, which thou hast given Me: for Thou lovest Me before the foundation of the
world.” John 17:24
How that He loved us so much and deeply desired
to have an intimate relationship with us that He created us with our own will
knowing fully that we would turn our backs on Him. And with that knowledge He
prepared a way for us through His Son Jesus Christ (John 14:6), Who He had
predetermined would come into the world as a man and live among us. (Hebrews
2:16-17) “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14 Being sinless He was the only one that could pay the great
penalty for our sins – death – so that we might receive grace; the forgiveness
of our sins. …For I have appeared unto thee for this purpose…to open their
eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto
God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which
are sanctified by faith that is in Me.” Acts 26:16-18
We as sinners did
not have the capability of producing grace to save ourselves from the death that
we were doomed to die. But now, because of what Jesus Christ has done for us,
we can be saved if we only have faith and receive His gift of eternal life that
He so desires for us to have. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and
that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should
boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Do you see the
comparison? Jesus is the mother, we are the babies. Only Christ could produce
the grace (endorphins) to cleanse us from our sin (pain). But He could only do
that through His death on the cross (going through the pain of labor). If He
would’ve come down from the cross (for He had the power to do that) and escaped
that pain and suffering (epidural or anesthesia) then there would be no grace
(endorphins) for the forgiveness (relief) of our sins (pain). Galatians 2:16
Which means that we would still be enchained by the power of our sins (the pain)
and no hop of escape (relief through endorphins). Which means that we would all
be destined for Hell (distress) and no hope of ever having an eternal
relationship with Him. Aren’t you grateful that the Lord Jesus has made the way
of salvation for us that through Him we may live and give Him all the glory
forever?
Just as a baby can
only get relief of his pain by receiving those endorphins that his mother
has produced for him, God’s Grace can only be put into effect if it is received
and applied by faith. God is all for the giving, are you all for the
receiving?
In the Precious and
Holy Name of Jesus Christ,
Paula Malcein |
