THE BLESSINGS OF PAIN

"Do you not know? Have you not heard?  The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired.  His understanding is inscrutable.  He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.  Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." 

Isaiah 40:28-31

During my journey with the physical pain of broken bones, I have learned that pain can be good regardless of whether it is inflicted or afflicted, emotional, spiritual or physical.  Pain has taught me to be more careful, so it keeps me from more harm.  Although I am not a fan of any kind of pain, I have learned that enduring it with the right attitude can bring us many blessings.  There are so many lessons we can learn from pain.  It is important to experience pain, that we may learn the blessings that spring out of it.  So often, we miss out on such blessings because we do not learn the spiritual lessons it can bring us.

Many times when pain strikes us, we get upset, angry and frustrated.  Most of us have been there! But it is faith in our God that has always brought us back to the fact that He is still in control, that He holds the future and that we must trust in Him.  He has many times brought me down from the clouds with difficult times that I have learned to trust Him.  Prayer, God's Word and singing songs of praise have helped me find my way back to hope and faith even when I could not see a way out.  In all these I have seen God's beauty.  I thank Him for being faithful and lifting me up when I am struggling.  I am determined not to fail to see the good in it and fail to see the blessings God is bestowing upon me.  He has shown me over and over how much He is mindful of me.  So I have purposed in my heart to keep my eyes open to be able to see the blessings He has provided for me.  I want to put on my blessing lens in order that I may see His hand and mindfulness in my troubled times.

During the past 7 weeks I have learned the blessings pain has brought to my walk with Christ.  It has brought me closer to Him.  Consider the following ways pain helps our Christian walk with our Lord and Savior:

Pain draws us closer to Christ

When one experiences pain, whether it is inflicted or afflicted, we are forced to choose whether we are going to run away so the pain will subside or cling to Jesus tightly.  It is so much easier to run away from pain.  But I choose to hang tightly to Him and draw all the strength I need from Him in order to face my pain.  I am aware whatever pain we go through, pain is very present.  Pain is good for us Christians because the more we learn how to draw strength from our Lord Jesus Christ, the higher our tolerance for pain and challenges is.  YES, this is where I have been blessed, learning TOLERANCE under any circumstance.  

Pain can help us focus on what is truly important

During the time of my healing I had to wear a cast which in the beginning I hated a lot.  I not only had to learn tolerance but I also had to force myself to stay focused on what was truly important.  I had to focus on something else that was not my pain, my discomfort and frustration.  My cast became a challenge and I felt like running away from it.  This taught me that although we face challenges and experience pain at many different levels, our Lord is giving us a tremendous opportunity to recommit ourselves to our walk with Him and to know the value of such a walk.  There is victory in all this.  It really boils down to your perspective.  The choice is ours as to whether we are going to allow ourselves to refocus on what is truly important.  In my case it was successful healing.

Pain strengthens our character

It is so much easier when one is in pain to give up and run away.  It is easy to lose faith.  But it is here that we have to rely on our Lord Jesus to carry us through our clouds and challenges.  It is here that our character is strengthened.

Pain deepens our Faith

When we find ourselves in the midst of pain, it is when we must force ourselves to open our Bibles, sing songs of praise and pray fervently.  It is in doing all these that we find rest for our souls and we start trusting God, trusting in His promises that He will be with us and that He will provide for our needs.  It is here that we need to believe in Him and go back to Him.  To wait on Him.  This is great gain, great victory.  It is the highest prize.

Pain teaches us compassion

Is it not something, that the people who have suffered the most are usually the most compassionate ones?  The more struggles and challenges a person has had to endure, the more effective they become in being compassionate toward others.  The more they uplift, encourage and help those who are struggling.  They seem to have a heart for others and feel their pain.

Pain makes us supportive

Pain teaches us to support those who have a need for relief from their pain and suffering. Compassion is the fruit of pain and it is manifested when we lift up and support those in pain.

Pain gives us understanding

It is a fact that no one can understand pain better than someone who has already been through it. Understanding is such a great blessing to those who struggle with either chronic illness, invisible illness or any other source of pain, spiritual or emotional.  This understanding of those who are struggling with pain is priceless.

Pain makes us good servants

Pain teaches us to be more compassionate, supportive, and understanding in helping others bear their pain.  Those who have gone through pain have learned to be hospitable and attentive servants even when they themselves are in pain.  They bestow blessings upon others who are suffering and struggling with life's toil, difficulties and storms.

Pain enables us to be sympathetic

Pain teaches us to say the right words in a spirit of sympathy which is so necessary to those who are struggling because of pain.

Pain teaches us empathy

Empathy is a more powerful support than sympathy.  It is a blessing to have someone who has been through the exact struggle you have been through, who can share with you and help you to understand.  It is more than a blessing.  It is a blessing to be a blessing to others.  To return blessings for blessings.

Pain makes us grateful

Pain teaches us to appreciate the little things.  There is so much joy in learning God's beauty in the midst of our suffering.  It is this appreciation for God's beauty that gives us hope and more hope.  We are learning to be grateful to God and others for their help in getting us through the tough times.  We learn the depths of sorrow.  Managing to be grateful helps us to find joy even in the midst of much pain.

In conclusion:  Pain teaches us to be warriors.  It deepens our faith and strengthens our character.  It draws us closer to God with hope and joy.  Pain teaches us perseverance, tolerance and longsuffering which are necessary to the victory of our walk as Christians.

"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;  and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."  Romans 5:3-5

May the Lord help us to wait for Him until He strengthens us in our times of weakness and pain.  The following song expresses these thoughts beautifully.


Luci

TEACH ME, LORD, TO WAIT

Teach me, Lord to wait

Down on my knees

Till in your own good time

You answer my pleas

Teach me not to rely on what others do

But to wait in prayer

For an answer from You

"He has made everything beautiful in His time."  Ecc. 3:11

Teach me, Lord to wait

While my heart is all aflame

Let me humble my pride

And call on Your name

Keep my faith renewed;

My eyes on Thee,

Let me be on this earth

What You want me to be

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."  2 Cor. 4:18

Those who wait upon the Lord

Shall renew their strength

They shall mount up with wings like eagles

They shall run and not be weary

They shall walk and not faint

Teach me, Lord to wait

 "And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.'"  2 Cor. 12:9

"And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  James 1:4