The Miracle of Pain
You’ve possibly heard the analogy that pressure will either turn you into dust or a diamond.
In my own words, an easy life is not a fulfilling life.
This morning I had a conversation with my youngest son. He detests hard work. Each time we ask him to do something we are met with whines and cries all in the attempt to get out of doing the work.
Now please know, I am not asking him to do anything out of the range of his capability or an absurd amount of work for his age, but I am asking him to do what he would consider “hard” things. After what felt like hours of reinforcement and prodding to get him to finish a task, we finally sat down and had a long discussion.
“If you love me, mom, wouldn’t you want my life to be easy?” He asked me. I paused because my natural instinct is to wipe away all his hurt and pain, but I had to actually say no. Teaching him to work hard, to develop strength physically, but also spiritually, and to build character is a very loving act as his mom.
Yet, I often complain and whine to God about painful or hard situations just as pitifully as my son does. Just a few days ago I was writing out a prayer to God telling Him how bad the current painful situation was and that I didn’t know how to stop it. I asked God, “What do I need to know about this pain?”
In my spirit I felt God reminding me to remember the miracles already done through this pain.
This pain, this thorn in my side, has led me to my knees more times than I can count. It has led me to the cross, prostrate, and broken. This pain was met with hope in Jesus and that is where transformation began to take place. The pain has been a spring board to find the true qualities of God that I longed to know. It led me to learning self control by resisting old numbing techniques and instead depending on God as my comfort. The pain opened up doors to minister to others by sharing similar hurts and struggles, giving them hope. The pain has driven a wedge between people I thought I needed in order to survive, but it showed me my own strength to stand on what I believe in. The pain has led me to learn worship in the truest, rawest form. Worship has become my go-to when I simply need to keep my head above water on the darkest days. This pain has changed me. Not because of the pain itself, but because of what God can do with pain. God daily uses pain we give Him to bring miracles and transformation.
My goodness, the cross is the greatest example of all.
As much as I long for this pain to leave, I am also thankful that I have a God who meets my pain with miracles. Who wastes nothing. Who loves me enough to allow the “hard” but also to be there with me through it all. Only God could take such an ugly and painful situation and bring so much good out of it.
In this world we will face trials. We will have pain and tribulations. It is a fact. But the choice is ours on whether we remain defeated by the pain, or we give it to God and let Him work miracles through it.
Thank You, Lord, for Your protection, Your love, Your grace, Your understanding, Your plan, and Your miracles.
~ Rachel
