Periods of Pain
Periods of Pain
Pain is an immersive experience. What we learn from pain will depend on the pain we suffer.
Physical pain tells us something is wrong, needs repair, or needs attention.
· Touch a hot stove; immediately, you feel pain. The object is to get you to remove your hand from the hot stove. It is a survival mechanism.
· Tooth pain tells us there is an infection.
· Back pain can show muscle strain because we are not lifting correctly.
· Foot pain can tell us that we need shoes that give us better support.
· A stomach ache can tell us that we have overeaten or the food we ate wasn’t good for us.
There are more severe types of pain, which can teach us the limits of our endurance.
People who suffer from chronic physical pain must deal with not only the usual pain that stems from their conditions but also the extra stress that piles up in everyday life: chronic pain plus flu, plus migraine, plus toothache, and so on.
Cancer patients, people with brittle bones, and those who suffer from recurring kidney infections can tell you about unrelenting suffering.
God has created us with a wondrous mechanism called “shock.” Whether an amputated leg in a motorcycle crash, a shark-bitten arm, or any sudden terrible wound occurs, the body moves instantly to protect life – to shut down certain peripheral functions to defend the core. The mind may not even be aware that anything has happened, but the body is doing all it can to save itself.
Shock is a critical time for the person experiencing it: a window of opportunity for help to come, for an outside assistant to stanch the bleeding, to remove the patient from harm’s way, to begin the process of life-saving techniques that will ensure continued life. If a person in shock does not get help, he will often die.
Shock suspends pain so that the victim has time to act if he is able. If the patient survives and is out of danger, the tremendous pain held at bay crashes back like a flood as the body tries to restore normal functions.
What about emotional pain?
People with significant emotional shock may act strange or “unnatural.” Hysterical laughter at the news of the death of a loved one is a sign of emotional shock.
The woman’s refusal to listen does not mean she hasn’t heard about her husband’s affair; it’s a coping mechanism to keep the news away as long as possible until she can get a handle on it.
The man’s denial that his wife has died, or suddenly left without explanation, or committed an act of betrayal, is also a sign of shock. The news is too devastating to handle, so he must push it away.
A daughter’s refusal to see her terminally ill father is not heartless; She avoids his deathbed because she has not come to terms with the fact that all eventually die.
We cannot prevent much of the pain that comes our way. Indeed, we do all we can to prevent ourselves from physical harm. We surround ourselves with friends and associates we feel will not cause us emotional damage. We control our environment to allow as little pain as possible.
When pain comes, we react, take stock of the situation, and respond. The object is always to remove the source of the pain as quickly as possible so we may get back to “normal.”
But there are some instances where we can’t avoid pain. Physical symptoms grow worse. Emotional stress remains, but the other party, the relationship, or the situation will not change.
What does God expect of us when we endure such intense periods of pain?
God showed us, through the life of Jesus, that pain is something we must expect. Even though Jesus healed all who came to Him, and though He still heals today, we see that, more often than not, suffering continues even for the very faithful.
· Jesus learned obedience through the things that He suffered. (Hebrews 5:8)
· Paul wanted to be made conformable to Jesus’ death so that he might share in the fellowship of His suffering and His resurrection life. (Philippians 3:10)
· 1 Peter 2:19 admonishes us to endure grief and suffering wrongfully for the sake of Christ.
· 2 Corinthians 8:1-4 Paul praised the Macedonian church for sharing from their poverty what they had and for having great joy amid terrible affliction.
What the Bible teaches runs contrary to what our sense of self-preservation tells us. The Bible calls us to rise above life’s physical and emotional pain. It challenges us to reach out to God and our brethren to prove that fellowship and life are more dynamic than the fear of death or personal loss.
God, who made us, knows our frame. We are fragile and our bodies are temporary houses for eternal souls. That is just the point He wants us to understand! We spend so much time catering to the comfort of our bodies and controlling the environment in which we live or work. We tend to build up little kingdoms for ourselves so that we forget that this life is not all there is; when time is no more, eternity shall begin.
Jesus made some startling statements, which Matthew recorded in his gospel:
Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! (8) “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. (9) And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire. Matthew 18:7-9
If we took this literally, how many blind and lame people would there be? It might be fewer than we think since we are so concerned with preserving ourselves and our comfort, often at any cost.
Perhaps it is not fair to disparage our comfort and safety. God created us with the wish to nourish and cherish our bodies, after all. In the ordinary course of life, He expects that we will feed ourselves, clothe ourselves, tend to our hygiene and do what promotes a strong body.
But most of us do not care so much for our souls; if we viewed them the way we view our bodies, many of us would find our souls starved to emaciation! No wonder they cannot respond correctly to tragedy and sorrow when not fed.
Our most important job is to feed our souls in preparation for everlasting life after physical death. Time works its ravages on our bodies, and then death comes – whether too soon or after many years. By then, we should be ready to step into eternity – prepared to live life with God forever.
If we are not ready to do this - if we have not made the proper provision for our spiritual life - then we must re-order our priorities before it is too late.
God allows all sorts of pain to come into our lives so that if we look to Him, we will discover how to come closer to Him because He created us for His good pleasure.
We can see this thought reflected in this extraordinary passage from Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth:
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. (2) But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. (3) But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, (4) whose minds the God of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (5) For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. (6) For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (8) We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; (9) persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— (10) always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. (11) For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (12) So then death is working in us, but life in you. (13) And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I BELIEVED AND THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe and therefore speak, (14) knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. (15) For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. (16) Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, (18) while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:1-18
Paul shows us that even though the physical body (the outward man) perishes, the inward man (the soul and spirit of man) renews and prepares for eternal life. Compare and contrast this with how men live; they do not understand that they should not be merely living for this world but do everything to gain material wealth, even though they can’t take it with them. God has hidden this great treasure (everlasting life) in clay jars (our bodies); someday, after these vessels have returned to dust, they will be resurrected: life will continue eternally, whether blessed or damned.
Life (in this physical body) is our proving ground for eternity, and pain is an effective instructor.
In her book Hind’s Feet on High Places, Hannah Hurnard tells the story of Poor Little Much-Afraid, who is in the service of the Shepherd. Much-Afraid lives in the Valley of Fearing, and though she would very much like to climb up into the mountains of the Kingdom of Love, she is lame, and her face is marred; she knows that nothing imperfect or flawed can exist in that beautiful place. But the Shepherd offers to help transform her so she can go up to the mountains with hind’s (deer) feet, where she will finally find love.
But before she can start the journey to the high places, the Shepherd must plant the seed of love within the heart of Poor Little Much-Afraid. She immediately agrees but nearly faints with fear when she sees the terrible pointed thorn the Shepherd produces. Poor Much-Afraid asks if it will hurt, and He tells her that it causes pain, but it will also be sweet and that to receive it is the only way for her to be made ready to make the journey. So she submits and finds that although it hurts, it happens so quickly that she hardly knows what is happening before it is all over.
Poor Little Much-Afraid wishes to have the Shepherd lead her up into the mountain Himself. But instead, He gives her two guides, Sorrow and Suffering, both strong and willing guides to help poor ugly crippled little Much-Afraid to get up that mountain despite the attempts at interference from her Fearing relatives. Sorrow and Suffering speak a language that Much-Afraid doesn’t understand. So Much-Afraid tries to climb the mountain without their help. She refuses to take their hands until the Shepherd explains that she is not strong enough to make the trip, let alone survive, without their help.
I have read this lovely story at least once a year since I was 15. I could instantly identify with Poor Little Much-Afraid; with each reading, I have recognized times I was bold enough to take the hands of sorrow and suffering and the occasions I have rejected the guides the Lord has sent to me.
Pain has always been one of my guides; I no longer shrink from its guidance because to shrink is to delay and lose ground. I want to learn the lessons that God has for me. I want to understand all He wishes to teach me and be a profitable servant even in times of pain and distress.
I don’t love pain. I don’t enjoy it, but through various kinds of pain, God has brought me a remarkable transformation. I don’t complain to God as bitterly about the pain. Instead, I ask Him what He would have me do, and I wait for Him to answer. Despite the pain, I do all that I can, and I turn to Him for comfort and support.
All creation groans with the pain that has come as a result of the curse. All creation waits for the redemption of the Son of God. Through periods of pain, we all can have great times of growth. The pain cuts through the fog and exposes what is essential. Pain holds the promise of heaven in sharp contrast: by its shadow, it reveals the truth of God’s word. It offers no shortcut but demonstrates the hope that we are truly going somewhere when this life is over.
Here is God’s promise to all of us who wait patiently through trials and affliction even though there seems to be no relief in sight:
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev 21:3-4
Gracious Abba Father,
Please help us not to run from You, but help us to hide in You when we are suffering. Let us draw near to You and seek Your face. Let us submit to Your leading and listen to Your voice. You have promised that there will be an end to our pain, and this will be the beginning of all joys – when we shall be Your people and You shall be our God, and there shall be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain!
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (21) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Rev 22:20-21
Pastora Cate Covert
A personal note: I invite you to walk with me. I’ve finally taken the leap of faith to work as a full-time writer. If you enjoy my writing, I invite you to consider a paid subscription to my Substack. Your paid subscription will help me to keep writing. Remember, Bible teaching and exhortations for the Church will always be free. I share a lot with my free subscribers. If you really can’t afford a paid subscription, just message me, and I will gift you a subscription. Thank you for reading! Please subscribe, and share with others! Pastora Cate