How I View The Pain…

How I View The Pain…3-31-25

As we move from one season to the next, we will inevitably experience pain. Physical pain, emotional and mental pain and anguish, sorrow, loss, and pain from decisions that didn’t turn out like we wanted but weren’t in God’s plans. God moves through our pain to strengthen us.

Jeremiah 17:14 says, "Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." Throughout my life I have experienced all the forms of pain listed above. We all have. How I view pain characterizes my relationship with the Lord at the time. I must admit sometimes I haven’t dealt with pain well. Sometimes I have moaned about my circumstances and fallen into the “Why me?” syndrome of pity.

While working on this, my pastor friend sent out his daily scripture readings and thoughts. I love how God does these things. It mirrors mine and must be included. Thank you again, Mr. Joel. "Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the stomach of the fish, and he said, "I called out of my distress to the LORD, And He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice." Jonah 2:1-2

You see, sometimes our pain is of our own doing, sometimes it is to get our attention, and sometimes God needs to use us to reach others and fulfill His purpose. I don’t want the pain that comes with my own doing because I have sinned and fallen short. God is directing and correcting me like the people of Israel. That is painful because I could have done differently and did not. I accept the pain that is to help others and am humbled by it because that means God chose me to use for His glory. What a blessing.

As I grow and learn, I truly believe it is How I View The Pain that inevitably comes with life and being a child of the Holy One that will define my character and allow me to be used for God’s purposes. I love that.