Good morning, Askinglot.com cites that Osteoarthritis of the hands usually occurs as part of the condition “nodal osteoarthritis”. This mainly affects women and often starts around the time of the menopause. It usually affects the base of the thumb and the joints at the ends of the fingers, other finger joints can also be affected. With aging, the water content of the cartilage increases and the protein makeup of cartilage degenerates. Repetitive use of the joints over the years causes damage to the cartilage that leads to joint pain and swelling. The suggested therapies are: exercise, weight loss, diet control, and of course swimming, preferably in warm water.
The lesson is, humans who live longer, do not escape the aging process. Although painful, self-management remains the best solution, body mind and spirit. Nonetheless, it is interesting that no matter how old or frail the body gets, the inner man / woman still sees itself in prime fitness. The worn body is just an indication of a long successful journey of, hills climbed, peaks of success, valleys of hope, evenings of joy and laughter and serene times where only God was present.
Ephesians 4:22-24 (GNB) So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God’s likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.
Dear Father, keep me young at heart, full of joy life and vigour, make me a Spirit filled vessel of honour, that proclaims you in everything I do. Make me strong, revive my bones, cartilage, heal my joints, take away any pain, in Jesus’ name, Amen. Dr Cliff Ferguson – Shalom Centurion.