It's gnawing, constant, and distracting. Makes it hard to focus. It can bring tears to your eyes quickly. It can consume our thoughts. What its it? It is pain. Physical pain. It is not easy to ignore. You can drug it, pacify it, but sooner or later it will return like an unwanted guest that moves in for far too long.
You may cry. You can have a pity party. You might feel you are drowning with no safety net in sight. But sooner or later we have to deal with it. How? How do we reach, what feels like, an untouchable aggressor? How can we focus on God grace and salvation when we are distracted by this torment?
After the pity party, and the why me questions, these are things I am learning. No one is immune to pain. In 1 Peter 5:9 it says
". . . standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
Why should it matter to us that no one is immune to pain? It can teach us compassion. Something we all need to remember. We all hurt differently, our ache isn't the same but none the less, it is painful. Showing compassion to those in pain on any level is what Christ has called us to do. We can't physically fix it, but we can be there as brothers and sisters in Christ. Reach out, help, and pray for them. The second part of that verse in 1 Peter is . . .(vs10) "And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
Does that mean our pain will eventually end? Yes, but not necessarily on earthly terms. It may end when we reach heaven, only God knows. What I personally have learned from my pain. . . . .
1. Don't do it alone. Cling to Christ. Pray that he leads you to what you should do. What avenues you should take. Don't throw your hands up and say, ok this is my cross to bear. Remember 1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray continually."
2. Rejoice in the good days and don't let go of God in the bad days. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in all circumstances. . . . "
3. It's ok to cry. God weeps too. He hurts when you hurt. He understands our hearts cry. Just keep your eyes on Him.
To all of you in physical pain I pray this helps you. We have a God that cares about it all, big and small. Prayers for you friends.
You may cry. You can have a pity party. You might feel you are drowning with no safety net in sight. But sooner or later we have to deal with it. How? How do we reach, what feels like, an untouchable aggressor? How can we focus on God grace and salvation when we are distracted by this torment?
After the pity party, and the why me questions, these are things I am learning. No one is immune to pain. In 1 Peter 5:9 it says
". . . standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
Why should it matter to us that no one is immune to pain? It can teach us compassion. Something we all need to remember. We all hurt differently, our ache isn't the same but none the less, it is painful. Showing compassion to those in pain on any level is what Christ has called us to do. We can't physically fix it, but we can be there as brothers and sisters in Christ. Reach out, help, and pray for them. The second part of that verse in 1 Peter is . . .(vs10) "And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
Does that mean our pain will eventually end? Yes, but not necessarily on earthly terms. It may end when we reach heaven, only God knows. What I personally have learned from my pain. . . . .
1. Don't do it alone. Cling to Christ. Pray that he leads you to what you should do. What avenues you should take. Don't throw your hands up and say, ok this is my cross to bear. Remember 1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray continually."
2. Rejoice in the good days and don't let go of God in the bad days. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in all circumstances. . . . "
3. It's ok to cry. God weeps too. He hurts when you hurt. He understands our hearts cry. Just keep your eyes on Him.
To all of you in physical pain I pray this helps you. We have a God that cares about it all, big and small. Prayers for you friends.
