The Product of Pain
Pain. Life pain. It's real.
We often ask, in times of pain, "Why?" One reason might be because it is due to something I did or said. Pain is often the by-product of stupid choices I've made. But the pain that comes due to situations I have no control over or are not a by-product of choices I've made - maybe a by-product of a choice someone else made...why that pain?
While pain often seems forever while I am in the middle of it, it is actually temporary...for the follower of Christ. Remember v. 5 and that God shields us. Our faith and life WILL endure. Pain will not get the best of us.
Pain can produce a greater level of worship. Pain refines worship. Pain focuses our worship. In the midst of pain, everything is stripped away except God and you find yourself crying out to God, seeking God, reading scripture, listening to worship music - you are so so focused. That is a level of worship that would not happen without pain. And then when the pain is past - you are now more refined in your focus and faith. Your love for Christ and His strength is stronger than before the pain.
In other words, the goal is not to get through the pain - but what is produced in your life during the pain and the strength you will possess when the pain is over. Of course, this is easy to say AFTER the pain is over.
We often ask, in times of pain, "Why?" One reason might be because it is due to something I did or said. Pain is often the by-product of stupid choices I've made. But the pain that comes due to situations I have no control over or are not a by-product of choices I've made - maybe a by-product of a choice someone else made...why that pain?
While pain often seems forever while I am in the middle of it, it is actually temporary...for the follower of Christ. Remember v. 5 and that God shields us. Our faith and life WILL endure. Pain will not get the best of us.
Pain can produce a greater level of worship. Pain refines worship. Pain focuses our worship. In the midst of pain, everything is stripped away except God and you find yourself crying out to God, seeking God, reading scripture, listening to worship music - you are so so focused. That is a level of worship that would not happen without pain. And then when the pain is past - you are now more refined in your focus and faith. Your love for Christ and His strength is stronger than before the pain.
In other words, the goal is not to get through the pain - but what is produced in your life during the pain and the strength you will possess when the pain is over. Of course, this is easy to say AFTER the pain is over.
