The Problem of Pain
Good morning. Pain is annoying at best and can be disabling. While that is true, pain is also essential to our well-being. It is pain that warns us when something is damaging us. That pain might be physical, but it also can be emotional and even of a spiritual nature.
Most of us can relate quite easily to pain and how it effects our lives. But do you remember the first time you heard your child scream in pain? I am not talking about the little bumps and bruises, nor am I speaking of those times when a child is crying out because they aren’t getting their way. I am talking about that cry of pain that comes after something has hurt them enough to cause a level of shock. They aren’t as used to pain as we are, so when it hits them unexpectedly and with enough force, it is shocking. When they are shocked by pain they gasp a deep breath, their eyes go wide, and their faces freeze in a picture of terror. This lasts for a few moments, and then the screaming starts. This is traumatic for the child, but the same is often true for the parent. It is extremely unsettling to hear your child scream with genuine pain, especially when you know that holding them close is about all you can do to bring comfort in that moment.
After you hold them close and try your best to bring a bit of calm you start looking for remedies. Do they need a band-aid or the ER? Will my child be OK, and will my own blood pressure ever return to normal?
I can only imagine what it is like for our Father God as He hears the screams of pain, panic, and shock from all of His children. I am sure that the screams never end. Someone, somewhere, is always going to have done something or experienced something that is causing them fear, panic, and pain.
The apostle Paul lifted up his cries to the Lord. He had a malady affecting his body that was painful. He described it as his “thorn in the flesh.” This “thorn” was a “messenger of Satan” but was allowed by God because it served a purpose: So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 2 Corinthians 12:7 Note that he gives us the reason for his pain and then repeats it. Let there be no doubt, this pain may be Satan’s doing but God has turned it into a blessing. It is a blessing because it serves a spiritual purpose.
Paul tells us: Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Vs 8 He begged the Lord. That is telling us that he cried out to his Father God like any child cries out to their mom or dad when the pain is shocking and overwhelming. This was God’s answer: Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Vs 9
I have always wondered about the fact that Paul, the great missionary and apostle of Christ, begged God three times even though God had answered him clearly. Each time God tells Paul that he is OK, that God’s grace would see him through, and that it is God’s power that is of greatest importance. In fact, the pain in question is being used as a blessing for Paul because it is keeping his ego in check. When his ego is in check, his spirit of obedience is unhindered. When his spirit of obedience is unhindered, things are done in accordance with God’s will not the will of Paul.
That is a very tough lesson.
Paul’s pain had its purpose. Its purpose was not to torment Paul, but to keep him in line. Which of us when we experience an event that is painful haven’t cried out “Why Lord? Why me? Why now?” The question is not whether God can and will use that event of pain for a positive outcome, whether He will make it to be a blessing. No, the question is whether we will listen to Him, and by listening accept God’s will, make use of God’s way, and even give praise.
The balance of verse 9 and then verse 10 of 2 Corinthians 12 tells us about the outcome for Paul: So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Praise God for His love. It is a love that sees beyond the pain of the moment and recognizes the blessing that can and will be. I doubt that I will ever go out of my way to find and experience pain, but it is a blessing to know that God’s grace is sufficient and that His power is so amazing that a blessing will always occur.
God bless your day!
Vern