Facing the Sting of Pain

We've all felt it and we can all relate. Although physical pain really hurts, the burn of emotional pain usually lasts longer. I remember being scared out of my wits as a child of getting a spanking but as I grew older I began to see spankings as a blessing..when faced with the choice of a couple minutes of sheer physical pain versus missing out on a time with my friends I would take the spanking anyday. I've had alot of pain in my life, pain from feeling like my family didnt know me and saw me as something I was not, pain from friends who I trusted turning their backs on me, pain from the betrayal of those I loved the most. I know we all have.

We each react to it differently. Some of us store it up inside until explodes, some of us wear it on our sleeve, some of us store it in a corner and let it fester until it turns to hate, some of us seek "drugs" to numb it, and some of us try to run away (but it always catches up).

It is what we do with the pain that we feel that determines whether or not that pain can and will be used to help us grow stronger or leave us more bitter than the start. I believe that we feel pain to make us perservere and give God an opportunity to comfort us and offer us strength when we are weak. Ultimately it will be our choice whether we decide to take his help or try to handle it on our own.

The way I dealt with pain was by running away from it and letting it turn to bitterness. I still struggle facing hurts from the past. God is slowly but surely softening my heart. When I allow him to help me, rely on him for guidance, and take up forgiveness all that bitterness sifts away leaving only love. Only with his help can we "Love our enemies" and "Forgive our persecutors".

There are going to be many painful times ahead I know. I also know that as long as I have my father by my side (Hes promised he will never leave me) I can get through it all. I've always wondered why people turn away from God in the times they need him the most. Why it seems they cry out to him in only the most desperate times when there is already so much damage to their hearts that could have been fixed already.

When we allow him, he will transform grief into happiness, pain into love, and erase regret. It takes time, our hearts are fragile and easily broken but he will heal all our pain if we let him. He is in agony and pain from what we've done to him and to ourselves so he understands exactly how we feel.


I'm trading my sorrow

I'm trading my shame

I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness

I'm trading my pain

I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

I'm pressed but not crushed
persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure

And his joy's gonna be my strength

Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Colossians 1:11-12 "God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient. And you will joyfully give thanks to the Father who has made you able to have a share in all that he has prepared for his people in the kingdom of light."

Its an easy trade that by grace we were given. Trade your pain, Trade your sorrows, Trade your shame for the Joy of the Lord.

Tess-tify