Gonna Make You Stronger

I'm totally over this whole knee surgery thing! I'm tired of hurting. Tired of being limited in what I can do. Tired of hobbling around. I'm ready to be better and get back to my life. I'm not used to sitting around with my leg propped up while I ask other people to get things and do things for me. Frankly, I hate this. It's been three weeks now, and I am getting better. But, I still hurt. And the hurting is the thing that seems to limit me the most. I'm doing well with my rehab and bending and straightening my leg. It's getting stronger everyday, and my therapist says I'm right where I should be. But...I still hurt.
The other night I had a break down and threw myself quite the little pity party. Why me? That is the dumbest question ever. (By the way, if you want more answers to that question, come to First Assembly NLR on Easter Sunday.) I don't even know why I ask it. As if leg surgery was the worst thing in the world that could ever happen to me. All I have to do is turn on the TV and I'll see people who are suffering so much more than I ever have. Earthquakes and tsunamis. Tornadoes. Women killing themselves and their children. I mean, really, knee surgery? "Get over it!" I told myself.
"You will get better. It just takes time." I'm really tired of hearing this, and I think it's because this is the hard part for me. I am not a patient person by nature. I have to pray for patience on a daily basis. I also have to remember that God tells us we should consider it pure joy when we face trials. It's hard to think of knee surgery as pure joy, but if it develops my perseverance, character, etc. then I should be joyful about that. 
The morning after my glorious pity party, I got in my car to drive to work and was listening to K-LOVE. (I love that station! You guys should check it out.) A song by Mandisa titled "Stronger" came on. What a wake-up call! It was exactly what I needed to hear. So, I thought I'd post the lyrics because I have a sneaking suspicion that one of you may need to hear them too.
                        
                           Hey, heard you were up all night
                           Thinking about how your world ain't right
                           And you wonder if things will ever get better
                           And you're asking why is it always raining on you
                           When all you want is just a little good news
                           Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather
                         
                           Oh, don't hang your head. It's gonna end
                           God's right there, even it it's hard to see him
                           I promise you that He still cares

                           When the waves are taking you under

                           Hold on just a little bit longer
                           He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
                           The pain ain't gonna last forever
                           And things can only get better
                           Believe me, this is gonna make you stronger

                           Try and do the best you can
                           Hold on and let Him hold your hand
                           And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
                           Oh, lift your head, it's gonna end
                           God's right there, even when you just can't feel Him
                           I promise you that He still cares

                           'Cause if He started this work in you life
                           He will be faithful to complete it
                           If only you believe it
                           He knows how much it hurts
                           And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

                           When the waves are taking you under
                           Hold on just a little bit longer
                           He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
                           The pain ain't gonna last forever
                           And things can only get better
                           Believe me, this is gonna make you stronger