The Beauty of Pain

The Beauty of Pain – By Steve Arterburn

 

News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and paralyzed, and he healed them. - Matthew 4:24

 

Pain is something most of us try to avoid, at all costs. It’s the reason some of us are trapped in addictions and hate the thought of each new day. But pain is also one of the best things that God allows in our lives. Pain is a great motivator. It lets you know that there is something that you need to pay attention to. It lets you know when doing things your way no longer works. It’s a tool that when used to your benefit will redirect your life.

 

But in that redirection, you have a choice. You can chose to cover the pain to treat the symptom and never treat the cause. Or you can do a little work, find the cause, and deal with it once and for all.   

 

You might continue in life with the pain, like a pointed stick poking at your spirit, but never doing anything about it. But that pain is telling you to back up, take an inventory of your actions and attitudes, to make amends with someone, to seek help from someone who’s been there before or has experience you don’t have. It’s also telling you that God is in charge, and you’re not.  

 

So, accept pain as your friend. Make the choice to deal with the root issue, and not just the resulting pain. When the issue is dealt with, the pain will subside. Pain is part of your healing, but if you deal with it wisely, it will lead to a road of freedom and a pathway of lasting joy.

 

“Pain is short and joy is eternal.” -J. C. F. Von Schiller (1759-1805)